Advent with Pip & Lumi

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1 BSB

Ask: It's Thanksgiving: what's one thing you're thankful for this year?

Do: Light a candle (or flip on a lamp) at dinner and go around the table saying thanks.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2 BSB

Ask: Where does the world feel dark right now?

Do: Text someone who's having a hard week.

“I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5 BSB

Ask: What's something hard about waiting?

Do: Put your phone in another room for one hour.

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 BSB

Ask: Immanuel means "God with us." Where did you feel that today?

Do: Many churches begin Advent today. If your family uses a wreath, light the first candle.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2 BSB

Ask: Why would God choose a small town like Bethlehem?

Do: Notice someone who gets overlooked and include them.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 BSB

Ask: What are you hoping for this Christmas that isn't a thing?

Do: Write a hope on a sticky note and put it on the fridge.

“But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 BSB

Ask: When do you feel most tired, and what gives you strength?

Do: Go to bed 30 minutes early. Seriously.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 BSB

Ask: Which name for Jesus in this verse means the most to you right now?

Do: Make a peace offering: fix a small conflict at home.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.” John 14:27 BSB

Ask: How is God's peace different from "everything going right"?

Do: Take five slow breaths together before a meal.

“So the angel told her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31 BSB

Ask: Mary heard "Do not be afraid." What would you want to hear those words about?

Do: Encourage someone who's facing something scary.

“You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 BSB

Ask: What fills your mind most often?

Do: Swap 15 minutes of scrolling for a walk or a game together.

“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it happen to me according to your word.’ Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:38 BSB

Ask: Mary said yes to something huge. What's God asking you to say yes to?

Do: Say yes to a chore without being asked.

“She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 BSB

Ask: Why does the name Jesus matter?

Do: Look up what your own name means and share it.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 BSB

Ask: What would it feel like to have peace you can't fully explain?

Do: Pray for one person who doesn't have peace right now.

“Then Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” Luke 1:46-47 BSB

Ask: Mary sang when she heard the news. What makes you want to sing?

Do: Play your family's favorite Christmas song loudly.

“You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” Psalm 16:11 BSB

Ask: Where do you find real joy, not just fun?

Do: Make a "joy list" together and hang it up.

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!” Luke 2:10-11 BSB

Ask: Why was this "good news of great joy" for all the people?

Do: Share good news with a neighbor: bake, draw or write something.

“The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 BSB

Ask: How does it feel to know God rejoices over you?

Do: Tell each person at the table one thing you love about them.

“This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 BSB

Ask: What would make today a good day, even if nothing big happens?

Do: Do one thing just for fun as a family.

“because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:78-79 BSB

Ask: Who do you know who is living in darkness right now?

Do: Give away something you don't need to someone who does.

“I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” John 15:11 BSB

Ask: What steals your joy most often?

Do: Write a thank-you note to a teacher, coach or pastor or priest.

“Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 BSB

Ask: What does it mean to follow the light?

Do: Take a night walk and look at Christmas lights together.

“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 BSB

Ask: Where in your life has the darkness "not overcome" the light?

Do: Light a candle at dinner and pray for someone by name.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 BSB

Ask: Why do you think God's love looks like a gift?

Do: Give a gift that costs time, not money.

“This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9 BSB

Ask: How did God show love in a way people could see?

Do: Show love in a way someone can see: help, hug or hang out.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14 BSB

Ask: Where can you shine this week?

Do: Do one secret kind act and don't tell anyone.

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 BSB

Ask: What does it mean that God "made His dwelling among us"?

Do: Spend time with someone who might be lonely this season.

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 BSB

Ask: How has light changed something in your heart this month?

Do: Share your favorite Advent moment so far.

“And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7 BSB

Ask: There was no room at the inn. Who needs room made for them?

Do: Read Luke 2:1-20 together, whether at home or at church.

“‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!’” Luke 2:14 BSB

Ask: Merry Christmas! What's one way you'll keep the light going after today?

Do: Watch Episode 1 of A Light to Glory, "Let There Be Light," together on Truli Blessed Kids.