
Luke 2:8-11
(Common English Bible)
Nearby shepherds were living in the fields,
guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them,
the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city.
He is Christ the Lord.
Shepherds
Light a candle and remember the presence of God is with you.
Cut out the pieces to help you build this story.
More pieces will be added with each story.
Advent is the church season of getting ready for when Jesus will be born. Advent leads to the 12 days of Christmas. Christmas leads to Epiphany at the beginning of January.
Come close to this story that leads us through a special journey during this time of year.
There are many stories and people that prepare us to meet Jesus.
I wonder who we get to meet in today’s story?
Today we get to meet some shepherds. Shepherds are people who spend a lot of time watching, nurturing, and keeping sheep safe when they are outside of their sheepfolds. Shepherds do not have a lot of money and often sleep outside with the sheep.
One night, the shepherds near Bethlehem were awakened by an angel saying, “Do not be afraid! I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people!” Many
other angels joined in the singing, and the shepherds then went to Bethlehem to find the special child the angels sang about.
The fourth candle of Advent represents LOVE. We will place this candle on our wreath and remember the LOVE a shepherd has for his sheep.
The third candle of Advent represents JOY. We will place this candle on our wreath and remember the JOY of expecting God’s special son, Jesus.
The second candle of Advent represents PEACE. We will place this candle on our wreath and remember the PEACE Elizabeth felt when she comforted Mary as they both prepared for special sons.
The first candle of Advent represents HOPE. We will place this candle on our wreath and remember the HOPE Isaiah provided for the people in his time, in Jesus’ time, and in our time.

I wonder…
... how does this story helps us love?
… how the shepherds felt?
… how it felt to be visited by an angel?
… what will happen when the shepherds find Jesus?
… if you have seen anything mysterious?






Prophets Light a candle and remember the presence of God is with you. Cut out the pieces to help you build this story. More pieces will be added with each story. Advent is the church season of getting ready for when Jesus will be born. Advent leads to the 12 days of Christmas. Christmas leads to Epiphany at the beginning of January. Come close to this story that leads us through a special journey during this time of year. There are many stories and people that prepare us to meet Jesus. I wonder who we get to meet in today’s story? This is Isaiah. He lived many, many years before Jesus was born. He was a prophet. A prophet is someone who listens to God and shares important messages from God to the people. There were many prophets. Other prophets are Micah, Nathan, and Jeremiah. (Can you find more names in the Bible?) The people of God during Isaiah’s time were not happy. They had been torn apart from their homes and separated from one another. They were lonely and scared. They need a way to have hope and bring light to the hard things in their lives. Isaiah told the people that the light was going to shine again on their broken lives. There will be a new day and a new HOPE. This is what Isaiah said, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.” The first candle of Advent represents HOPE. We will place this candle on our wreath and remember the HOPE Isaiah provided for the people in his time, in Jesus’ time, and in our time. Upload I wonder… ... how this story helps us have hope? … how prophets listen to God? … if you know a prophet? … how prophets show us the way? … if there are prophets today? Could you be a prophet? Craft Isaiah 1:22 / 2:30 Season of Wonder Advent 1: The Prophets GodlyPlayFoundation Previous FULL LIST Next