Family Devotional: Joy

Joy

Third Sunday of Advent

  

“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!”
Psalm 100:1

The angel made several visitations right before the birth of John and Jesus.  The angel’s first words…”Don’t be afraid…”.

Ask those around you:  How do you think you would respond if you were like Zechariah, Mary, or Joseph and an angel showed up to give you a message?

Read Luke 1: 13-15 and Luke 1: 46-49

Ask:  How did Zechariah and Mary respond after they received the angel’s message?

Light the third candle of the Advent wreath and say:   We light this candle for joy.

The three that were visited responded to the angel’s messages with thanksgiving and joy.  Thanksgiving and joy go together because without giving thanks there is no joy.  The story of Christmas is full of those who were filled with joy and gave thanks like the shepherds and kings.  It is a season with many reasons to give thanks.

Make a list of things you are can thank God for this season.  Place the list under your Christmas tree.

Prayer:  Have each person say a thanksgiving prayer.