Advent Week Three: “Exchanging Sorrow for Joy”

Weekly Supply List:

  • Journal or sketch pad
  • Pen, pencil, or markers
  • Clear plastic cup
  • Soil
  • Seeds or Dried Beans
  • Blindfold

Weekly Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10 (Good News Translation)

1 The desert will rejoice, and flowers will bloom in the wastelands. 2 The desert will sing and shout for joy; it will be as beautiful as the Lebanon Mountains and as fertile as the fields of Carmel and Sharon. Everyone will see the Lord’s splendor, see his greatness and power. 3 Give strength to hands that are tired and to knees that tremble with weakness. 4 Tell everyone who is discouraged, “Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue, coming to punish your enemies.” 5 The blind will be able to see, and the deaf will hear. 6 The lame will leap and dance, and those who cannot speak will shout for joy. Streams of water will flow through the desert; 7 the burning sand will become a lake, and dry land will be filled with springs. Where jackals used to live, marsh grass and reeds will grow. 8 There will be a highway there, called “The Road of Holiness.” No sinner will ever travel that road; no fools will mislead those who follow it. 9 No lions will be there; no fierce animals will pass that way. Those whom the Lord has rescued will travel home by that road. 10 They will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy forever, forever free from sorrow and grief.

Invitation: Read Isaiah 35: 1-10. Take a walk or sit on your porch while you do this prayer time. Notice the colors of the leaves, the colors of the grass, how the air feels. Think about the seasons and how fall brings winter, and winter brings spring. Everything is renewed.

Reflection: Reread verses 8-10. Who is your favorite super hero and why? (Everyone has a favorite.) Write that down.

Contemplation: What is something in your mind or in reality that you want to be rescued from?

Discussion: Share what you’d like to be rescued from or how you feel you have been rescued.

Prayer Exchange: Father, Son, Holy Spirit you give life and you give hope. There is nothing that is impossible for you. I pray you would reveal to me how you continually are there to rescue me day after day for my whole life.

 

 Contributed by Mary-Margaret LeRoy, Pastor of Children and Outreach