Advent

My kids were in charge of chapel this week, and we decided to have Advent be our theme. Did you know Advent means "coming" or "visit?" It's so nice to be in a room full of kids and not a one of them mention Santa visiting them with tons of presents. (I love Santa, by the way, but it's nice to be able to focus on the coming of Jesus instead!) We lit candles for each theme of hope, peace, joy, love and the Christ candle. (I hope there's no rule against lighting all the Advent candles in one day!) :-) The kids wrote their own prayers that they read outloud. I think they are beautiful, precious reminders of the joy and innocence that exists in children.

Hope

God, thank you for your hope that you give us every day. As we come for chapel this afternoon, fill us with your hope and your light and take all the darkness out of us. We hope that you are blessed by our chapel. We hope you are smiling at us. Help us to continue to hope for you. We hope that if anyone doesn't know you, Jesus, that they learn about you today! We ask this in your name. Amen.

Peace

Loving God, thank you for your peace. Thank you for the peaceful baby Jesus you brought to us on Christmas. Help us to live our lives in peace with everyone, even people we don't like. Fill us with your peace, Jesus, so we can give out peace to everyone everywhere we go. Even when we are in trouble. We ask this in your name. Amen.

Joy

God, we thank you for your joy you give us that is deep inside our hearts. Even when we are sad, we can still have joy because we know you Lord. You are our everlasting joy. Help us to be joyful to everyone this Christmas and remember and prepare our hearts for the baby Jesus to come and bring us joy. We ask this in your name. Amen.

Love

Loving God, we thank you for your gift of love that you gave to us with the baby Jesus. We know He came to earth so he could grow up and die on the cross because he loves us so much. Thank you God. Help us to remember to love each other like you love us. Help us to share all of your love with everyone, even our enemies. We love you so much Jesus. Amen.

I pray that during this Advent season, we can slow down from our busyness and shopping and remember who is coming soon! (And I'm not talking about Santa!) As we all light these candles at church, Lord, help us to shine the light of Jesus in our hearts this Christmas season. Help us to be the light of the world no matter where in this world we are!

I love you all!