Sunday, November 30, 2008

Advent 2008: Week 1

LEFC Family Advent Readings
Advent Week #1: To Us a Child Is Born
“Wonderful Counselor” - Isaiah 9:6-7
November 30, 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]

The first candle of Advent reminds us that the child born to us on Christmas will forever be our Wonderful Counselor.

[LIGHT FIRST CANDLE]

The counselors of this time in Israel’s history weren’t personal counselors who helped people with their life problems. They were military advisors–military strategists who understood enemies and battle tactics.

Isaiah says that the Messiah would be a Wonderful Counselor. His plans, strategies, advice, and counsel would be like nothing ever seen before. It would be full of wonders. And anyone who took His counsel would not fail.

The Apostle Paul said that all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Jesus Christ. His counsel is like no other. It seems foolish to the world, but when we receive and live on His wisdom, we cannot fail in life’s battles.

This first candle is a candle of Jesus’ wisdom.

Let it remind us that Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor whose wisdom we should receive and live out. “To Us a Child Is Born”


Advent Bible Study for Families

1. As a family, read Isaiah 9:1-7 at least twice. This is a beautiful passage about the coming of the Messiah–light dawning on those who live in the shadow of death. What jumps out at you when you read it? Have each family member share something they noticed.

2. The child to be born is called “Wonderful Counselor.” This is not His name but one of His titles. Why is this a good title for Jesus? What is some of His wonderful counsel? What makes it wonderful?

3. What specific teaching of Jesus are you trying to incorporate more fully in your life? How are you receiving and living out the wisdom of the Wonderful Counselor? What changes are you making? Have each family member share.

4. As a family, sing Good Christian Men, Rejoice!

Good Christian men, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
News! News! Jesus Christ is born today!
Ox and ass before Him bow,
and He is in the manger now:
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven’s door,
And man is blessed for evermore:
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you
all to gain His everlasting Hall:
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

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