Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year Advent-Christmas Devotional - 2017 - single page | Page 4

Advent Meditation For use individually or as a family. (If using an Advent wreath, light the appropriate candles) Comfort, comfort my people says your God. (Isaiah 40) Speak tenderly (speak of peace) to Jerusalem Say to those with fearful hearts- Be strong, do not fear (Isaiah 35) Your God will come, he will come to save you A virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, (Isaiah 7) And will call him Immanuel. Read the day’s devotion and prayer. (Optional—After the prayer at the end of the devotion, have everyone share a short special prayer— thanking God for something, asking God for help or healing for someone, or a simple word of praise that the Lord comes to save you!) Complete the day’s “Activity.” Then read the closing prayer and blessing: Support us, Lord, all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work done; then Lord, in your mercy, give us safe lodging, a holy rest and peace at the last. Amen. May our Lord Jesus come quickly by his grace, with his power, in his glory. Amen. OTHER DEVOTION OPTIONS: • Sing a verse or two of your favorite Advent or Christmas hymn during your devotion time (perhaps at the beginning or as a closing) • If you have children, seek to include them in the devotion—have a child read the Bible passage or the closing prayer. • In your prayers, include the weekly advent prayer listed at the beginning of each week. Or use Luther’s Morning / Evening Prayer as a closing prayer after the blessing. 4