Sunday, December 21, 2008

Advent 2008: Week 4

LEFC Family Advent Readings
Advent Week #4: To Us a Child Is Born
“Prince of Peace” - Isaiah 9:6-7
December 21, 2008

"Advent” means “coming.” Christmas is coming. Jesus has come and is coming again.

This Advent season, we are celebrating the arrival of the Messiah foretold 800 years before His birth, in Isaiah chapter 9, verses 6 and 7:

[READ ISAIAH 9:6-7]

[LIGHT CANDLE #1 AGAIN]

Our first candle was a candle of Jesus’ wisdom. He is the Wonderful Counselor.

[LIGHT CANDLE #2 AGAIN]

Our second candle was a candle of worship. Jesus is the Mighty God.

[LIGHT CANDLE #3]

Our third candle was a candle of trust and obedience. Jesus is Everlasting Father.

[LIGHT CANDLE #4]

Our fourth candle is a candle of peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah predicted that the Messiah’s rule would be characterized, not just by the absence of war, but by the presence of harmony, justice, righteousness, and peace.

He writes, “Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”

When Jesus was born, the angels sang, “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men.” The Prince of Peace has come!

Peace with God is now possible because of Jesus.

Peace with others is now possible because of Jesus.

We can enjoy His peace now, in part. And one day, the whole world will be filled with His peace.

The Kingdom of the Messiah will come, and it will never end.

This candle calls us to live in the peace that the Prince of Peace has brought and will bring forever.

Advent Bible Study for Families

1. Read Isaiah 9:1-7 one last time. What title of the Child to be born has been the most meaningful to you this Advent season?

2. What is peace? Is it more than just the absence of war? How would you describe it? What’s so good about peace (Hebrew: shalom)?

3. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. In what ways has His peace come? In what ways are we still waiting for His peace to fully come?

4. Re-read verse 5. What is the significance of the boots and uniforms being tossed into the fire?

5. What difference does Jesus being the Prince of Peace make for our family this Christmas? How can we live in His peace? How can we share it with others?

6. As a family, sing Joy to the World, the Christmas Carol by Isaac Watts. Joy to the World is actually more about Jesus’ second advent than His first, and it reminds us that His peace-filled kingdom will never end.

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

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