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1st DecemberWe are waiting for the God of Compassion

The Lord has compassionfor those who respect him, as a father has compassion

for his children. Psalm 103:13

Advent ThoughtAs you write your Christmas cards say a little prayer for the person you are sending each card to.

Joke: What Christmas tree can't you climb?

A lavatory (lav-a-tree)!!!!

2nd DecemberWe are waiting

for the God of

Light

God is light

and in him

there is no darkness at all.

1John 1:5

Advent thought

give up using any games consoles for 1 day and spend the time with your family.

Quiz question: What colour are the berries of the mistletoe plant?White

3rd December We are waiting for the God of

Peace

Jesus said, ‘I leave you peace, my peace I give you.

I do not give it to you as the world does.

So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

John 14:27Advent thought:Today is the third day of Advent. Let us think about 3 people who we can make a difference to today.

Quiz question:Christmas quiz question - what are the names of Santa's 8 reindeer?Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen. *Rudolf was not part of the original reindeers but came later from the song - Rudolf the red nose reindeer!*

4th DecemberWe are waiting for the God of

HopeBe joyful because

you have hope.Be patient when trouble comes,

and pray at all times. Romans 12:12

Advent thoughtAdvent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ. Let us use this as an opportunity to help change the lives of others. During Advent we must try and be more generous to people and help those less fortunate than ourselves. We can do this by giving donations to charity, shoe boxes or toys for children and food for those in need. Our generosity can make a big difference to someone's life.

Joke:What happened to the man who stole an Advent Calendar?He got 25 days

5th DecemberWe are waiting for the God of

Life

Jesus said: ‘I came to give life

– life in all its fullness. John 10:10

Advent thoughtToday let us try to listen to each other.Today try to tell your friends and family something that you love about them. Make someone smile today. Take time today to remember all the things we have to be grateful for.

Joke:Why did no one bid for Rudolph and Blitzen on eBay?Because they were two deer.

6th DecemberWe are waiting for the God of

Wonder

God has given a son to us.He will be responsible for leading the people.

His name will be Wonderful Counsellor,

Powerful God.Isaiah 9:6

God of awesome wonder – so many things to thank you for.Today, especially, we say thanks for the generous love of Mary.As she says ‘yes’ to you, she opens up our worldto the love of Jesus.Help us to say ‘yes’ to you as well.And teach us the gift of wonderfor all that surrounds us.

7th December We are waiting for the God of

JusticeJesus said: ‘What makes you think God won't step in and work justice

for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help?

Won't he stick up for them? I assure you, he will.

He will not drag his feet.’Luke 18:7

Where injustice reigns: Lord, let me bring justice.If things are unfair: Lord, let me make them fair again.If people are troubled: Lord, help me to ease their fears.And if I treat others unjustly: Lord, open my eyes.Amen.

8th DecemberWe are waiting for the God of

Family

The angel said to Mary:Do not be afraid Mary

For you have found favour with God.And you will conceive in your wombAnd bear a son, and you will name

him Jesus.Advent thought:Let us remember all those who will not experience the warmth and joy of a loving family this Christmas. Let the light of Christ shine on them so that they may feel the peace and love of the Christmas season.

Joke:What do you sing at a snowman's birthday party?Frrrrreeeeeze a jolly good fellow!

9th DecemberWe are waiting for the God of

HealingSome people brought a man

who could neither hear nor speak and asked Jesus to lay a healing

hand on him. He took the man off by himself, put his fingers in the man's

ears and some spit on the man’s tongue. Then Jesus looked up in

prayer, groaned mightily, and commanded, “Ephphatha! – Open up!”And it happened. The man's hearing was clear and his speech

plain – just like that.Matthew 7:31-32

Advent thought:Be someone else's sunshine. Be the reason someone smiles today.

Advent Joke:What goes oh,oh,oh?Santa walking backwards.

10th December We are waiting for the God of

SimplicityJesus called the Twelve

and commissioned them to preach the good news of God’s kingdom

and heal the sick. He said, ‘Don’t load yourselves up

with equipment. Keep it simple;

you are the equipment.’Luke 9:2-3

Advent thought:"Express your love in joy and laughter"

Joke:What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?Frost bite

11th December We are waiting for the God of

Mercy

The Lord does great things; his miracles are unforgettable.

Lord is kind and merciful.Psalm 111:2,4

Advent thought:During the lead up to Christmas we spend a lot of time thinking about gifts; what we hope to unwrap on Christmas morning and what we can buy for those we love. During Advent, think about all the gifts and talents that you have been blessed with and think about how you can use them for the good of others.

Quiz question:What well known Christmas song refers to Mrs B. White?White Christmas

12th DecemberWe are waiting for the God of Good News

Jesus read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

“God's Spirit is on me; he’s chosen me to preach

the Message of good news to the poor,Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners

and recovery of sight to the blind,To set the burdened and battered free,

to announce, “This is God's year to act!”

Luke 4:16-21

Advent thought:This Advent let us try to cherish the friends that bring us joy and make us feel loved. Help us be truthful, kind and respectful to them. May we celebrate our friendship in all that we do and be grateful for the happy times we spend together.

Joke:Teacher: If I have £2 and ask Ebenezer Scrooge for another £3, how much will I have?Pupil: £2 teacher!Teacher: You don’t know your arithmeticPupil: Please, miss, you don’t know Scrooge

13th DecemberWe are waiting for the God of

LoveJesus said:

‘I give you a new command: love each other.

You must love each other as I have loved you.’

John 13:34

Love each other as I have loved you…Your words are a challenge, Jesus,since we know how difficult it can be to love.But help us, we pray,to see your words as an opportunity - an opportunity to dare to love others,even those we’d rather not.Help this love to warm our hearts this Advent,and so to bring happiness and goodness to each other.

14th December We are waiting for the God of

SurprisesThe angel assured her,

“Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant

and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.”

Luke 1:32-33

God of surprises, you changed the worldwhen you were born in a Bethlehem stable.Surprise us now by being born again in our lives this Advent.We pray that we’ll have strong faiththat is able to move mountains and change attitudes.Surprise us, Lord,with your wisdom and love!Amen.

15th DecemberWe are waiting for the God of

Encouragement

Mary said to Elizabeth:“God took one good look at me,

and look what happened –I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!

What God has done for me will never be forgotten

…The starving poor sat down to a banquet;the callous rich were left out in the cold…

It’s exactly what he promised...”from Luke 1:46-55

Advent thought:This Christmas give the gift of your time to the ones you love.

Joke: How does good King Wenceslas like his pizzas?Deep pan, crisp and even

16th December We are waiting for the God of

Generosity

The Lord is righteous And loves good deeds;

Those who do themWill live in his presence.

Psalm 11:7

Joke:What athlete is the warmest at Christmas?A long jumper

Advent thought:Remembering good events is a useful way of being grateful. What memory makes you happy?

17th December We are waiting for the God of

Friendship

And you are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not

call you servants any longer, because servants do not know

what their master is doing. I call you friends because I have told

you everything I have learnt from my Father.John 15:14-15

Advent thought:Sit for 5 minutes in quiet and thank God for coming to usat Christmas.

Quiz question:Where do Christmas trees originate from?Latvia

18th December We are waiting for the God of

Courage

So do not be afraid of people. Whatever is now covered up will be uncovered, and every secret

will be made known. Matthew 10:26

Advent thought:Be an advent angel today and do something kind.

Quiz question:Who were the first people to visit Jesus?Shepherds

19th DecemberWe are waiting for the God of

Understanding

Jesus said, “come to me, all you that are weary and carrying

heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Advent thought:Visit the Crib in Church and say a prayer for a family member.

Joke:What never eats at Christmas?The turkey, it’s usually STUFFED!!

We pray with joy, Lord, at the end of this busy term.As we head into the Christmas holidays,just remind us why we celebrate and who we celebrate.As Jesus is born in Bethlehem,we pray that he may be born in us too,and that we may take his good news to everyone we meet.Amen.

20th DecemberWe are waiting for the God of

Promise

I make this covenant with you: I promise that you will be the ancestor of many nations.

I will keep my promise to you and to your descendants in

future generations as an everlasting covenant.

Genesis 17:4 and 7

Lord, you are the LightOf all nations.Your are our hopeAnd our Peace.As we wait for the promise of ChristmasMay we remember all the great promisesThat you have made to your chosen people.

21st December We are waiting for the God of Celebration

At that time Jesus, was filled by joy by the Holy Spirit, said, “I Father, Lord of heaven and

earth! I thank you because you have hidden these things from

the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you

were pleased to do.Luke 10:21

Dear God, we praise you!You are the source of all wisdom and holiness.Bless each one of usAs we end this term together.Help us to grow As we celebrate the Birth of Christ Jesus.Amen

22nd DecemberWe are waiting for the God of Forgiveness

Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger.

No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings

of any sort. Instead be kind and tender-hearted to one another,

and forgive one another as God has forgiven you through Christ.

Ephesians 4:31-32God, we praise you!You do such great things for us all,filling us with life and energy,giving us such potential to shine.Bless us as we look to the future,help us as we try to live simplyto recognise that we are serving youand our brothers and sisters.

23rd DecemberWe are waiting for the God of

Unity

So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles,

between slaves and free people,

between men and women; you are all one in union with

Christ Jesus.Galatians 3:28

Lord Jesus,The angels who announced your birthsang of peace; and Mary your mothertreasured their words in her heart.Today we strive to bring about a worldwhere all your children live in unity,Free from the threat of violence and war.May we be lovers of peace,givers and creators of hope.We long for the time when those who go hungry are filled with good thingsand the lowly are raised high.Amen

24th DecemberWe are waiting for the God of

Joy

The angel said to the shepherds, ‘Do not be afraid,

I bring you news of great joy. Today a saviour

has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord.’

Luke 2:12

We pray with joy, Lord, at the end of this busy term.As we head into the Christmas holidays,just remind us why we celebrate and who we celebrate.As Jesus is born in Bethlehem,we pray that he may be born in us too,and that we may take his good news to everyone we meet.Amen.