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: Gather supplies needed. Read Isaiah 2:1-5 aloud. Have each person make a sword out of a 6” square of aluminum foil. (Sword fights are entirely permissible at this point in the activity.) Then, have each person try to reshape the sword into a simple tool, used every day for a productive, peaceful life (fork, spoon, key, barrette, etc).
Reflection: Reread verse 3. Imagine God teaching us what he wants us to do; what do you see in your mind?
Contemplation: Reread verse 4, imagine life in a world without disputes (arguments) among great nations. What would life be like?
Discussion: What does it mean to hammer swords into plows and spears into pruning knives?
Prayer Exchange: God, our Father, we come to your temple hungering for your life lessons. Our desire is to always walk in the light you give. Thank you for choosing our paths and help us to follow you each day.
Amen.
Contributed by Cheryl Jones,
Spiritual Director