ADVENT WEEK ONE: HOPE
Click here to watch the Advent Week 1 video.
Scripture Focus:
Luke 1:26-38 (The angel visits Mary)
Romans 5:1–5
Romans 8:24–25
Devotion Recap:
- Hope and Christmas go hand in hand.
- We hope for gifts, for time together, for things that matter to us.
- But the hope God gives is different—it’s steady, sure, and will never put us to shame.
- God’s people waited 400 years in silence between the Old and New Testaments… but God had not forgotten them.
- When the angel appeared and told Mary she would carry God’s Son, the waiting ended—Hope Himself entered the world.
- Christmas proves we can hope in God because He keeps every promise.
Conversation Starters
Use these simple questions to open hearts and help your family talk about the meaning of Hope this Christmas:
- What are you hoping for this Christmas?
Is it a gift? Time with someone? Something you want God to do in your life? - When you think about “hope,” what comes to mind?
Is hope just a feeling? - Why do you think Christmas is connected with hope?
What part of the Christmas story shows us something about trusting God? - Has there been a time when you had to wait for something good?
What did you learn while you were waiting? - How does knowing that God keeps His promises help you have hope today?
Family Christmas Activities
Each activity connects your family to the theme of HOPE.
Choose one or try all three throughout the week.
1. Promise Garland
Create a simple paper chain and write a different promise of God on each link. You could even use a scripture verse for each one.
- Add one link each night.
- Talk about how every link reminds us: God keeps His promises.
- Suggested promises: God is with us, God hears us, God loves us, God forgives, God provides, God gives us hope.
2. “Hope Delivered” Neighbor Drop-Off
As a family, deliver a small treat, card, or ornament to a neighbor or friend.
Attach a note that says:
“This Christmas, we’re celebrating the hope Jesus brings. We’re thankful for you!”
This helps your family connect hope with blessing others.
3. Waiting Game: The Silent Countdown
Set a short countdown timer (15 to 30 seconds). Explain that you will be learning to wait and celebrate during this game.
Before you play the game/start the timer share:
- What were God’s people waiting for? (A Savior, A Rescuer, The Messiah)
- How long? (Over 400 years)
- How did Mary’s story show that God was working even in the waiting? (God was making a way by sending His Son Jesus to earth, born as a baby. He was the Rescuer that God’s people were waiting for. They did not know when the time would come, but when He was born, HOPE was born and it changed everything for us! So just like Mary, we should celebrate that hope that came with the promise of God.)
Explain that you will be silent while the timer counts down and you will wait…thinking about all that God has done for you and the hope that He brings.
Start the timer.
When the timer goes off, everyone celebrates together! This could be cheering, jumping up and down, or simply saying words of praise together (Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus!, etc.) when the timer goes off.
How we wait determines how we celebrate! Let’s be a family that waits with HOPE!
Worship:
Listen to these Christmas Carols and Worship Songs to go along with this week’s Advent Devotion:
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel
- Hope Has Come (Behold Him) by Red Rocks Worship
- Waiting Here for You by Passion
