Advent Week 4: Thursday

Family Scripture Reading:

Luke 2:8-20Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; ¹¹ for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”

¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.¹⁷ And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; ¹⁸ and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Family Application: Count up the number of times the word peace is in the Scripture reading.  What does it mean to have peace?  How can we bring peace to others?

An example of a gift  Look their toys and books to find some that are gently used.  Take them to local doctors offices and donate them. 

Family Craft Project— Make some pen flowers for the nurses stations  and take them with you when you take the toys and books.  Here is a quick how to on making them.

How to Make Flower Pens

Need:

Þ ballpoint pens 

Þ floral tape

Þ artificial daisy flowers 

Þ hot glue gun

1. Wrap floral tape from the top of the pen all the way down to the writing point of the pen, then replace the pen’s cap.

2. Put a generous drop of glue in the top of the pen, where the plastic end cap used to be.  You can use your favorite craft glue, super glue, or a hot glue gun.

3. Stick the artificial flower stem down into the pen. 

http://livingwellmom.com/2014/05/adorable-diy-flower-pens/

Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.

We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.

To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”  Henri Nouwen