Advent Week One: “Exchanging Battles for Hope”

Weekly Supply List:

  • Journal or sketch pad
  • Pen, pencil, and markers
  • Aluminum foil & scissors
  • 1 small box
  • tape or glue
  • wrapping paper or stickers
  • Post-it notes or small squares of paper

Weekly Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5 (Good News Translation)

1 Here is the message which God gave to Isaiah son of Amoz about Judah and Jerusalem:

2 In days to come the mountain where the Temple stands will be the highest one of all, towering above all the hills. Many nations will come streaming to it, 3 and their people will say, “Let us go up the hill of the Lord, to the Temple of Israel’s God. He will teach us what he wants us to do; we will walk in the paths he has chosen. For the Lord’s teaching comes from Jerusalem; from Zion he speaks to his people.” 4 He will settle disputes among great nations. They will hammer their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nations will never again go to war, never prepare for battle again.

5 Now, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light which the Lord gives us!

Invitation: Read Isaiah 2:1-5 aloud together.

Reflection: Imagine the nations streaming up the mountain to God’s Temple. What kinds of interactions do you think would be happening?

Contemplation: Imagine a world in which there are no wars, no arguments, and no preparation for wars. What could the armies do instead of fighting each other?

Discussion: What would our home be like if there were no arguments?

Prayer Exchange: Lord Jesus, our savior, we praise you for bringing the opportunity for peace to our world and our home. Help us to respond to each other in loving kindness just as you did. Be with us each day as we learn to walk peacefully through the noise and busyness of our daily lives.

Amen.

 


Contributed by Cheryl Jones,

Spiritual Director