3nd Week of Advent – JOY      (December 12)

Materials needed:

• 1 pkg of Mentos
• 2-liter of Diet Coke
• piece of paper.

*plan to take a drive and see nearby Christmas lights at the end of today’s devotion

We have learned that Advent is the season when we get our hearts ready to welcome the baby Jesus into our lives. Last week we thought about the PEACE that comes from believing in Jesus. This week, we celebrate the JOY that comes from accepting Jesus into our hearts and knowing that our sins are forgiven!

Once we have Jesus in our hearts and we know that we are His and we are forgiven, we can’t contain all the joy and freedom we have been given. It just bubbles up out of us and we are changed forever.

Have one family member read: 1Peter 1:8-9

“Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

• Take the 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke OUTSIDE, preferably on a grassy or dirt area that is level.
• Open the Diet Coke. Roll a piece of paper into a tube just big enough to hold seven loose Mentos.
• Hold your finger over the end of the paper tube as you align it with the opening of the Diet Coke bottle. Move your finger and allow the seven Mentos to drop into the bottle all at once. Jump back and watch the explosion!
• Go back inside and finish the devotion.

We can’t help but smile and feel free and joyful when we know that we have Jesus’ love and forgiveness, and just like that Diet Coke when the Mentos were dropped in, we are changed and we just can’t contain it!

Do you know something else that can’t be contained? Light.

And do you remember who is called “the Light of the World”? That’s Jesus! Darkness can’t cover up light, light conquers darkness. Jesus came to light up the world, to make the darkness - the bad stuff and the meanness - go away. He conquers sin and darkness. That’s why he’s called “the Light of the World”.

So, if Jesus can conquer sin and darkness, what is there in your heart that you want to offer him? Each of us has sins or flaws or weaknesses, it’s part of being human. And we can be good and strong by offering our weakness, our darkness to Jesus, the Light of the World. He can take it and make it disappear with his light.

Take a few moments in private and think about what you’d like offer to Jesus. (Don’t ask others to share what they are giving to Jesus - this is only for Jesus to know.)

Gather together to pray:

Dear God, we believe that you sent Jesus into our world to light up the darkness. Help us to give you our weakness to Jesus so that it can disappear into his light! We love you and we want to shine for you! in Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Now as a special reminder that Jesus is the Light of the World and conquers darkness, go take a drive and enjoy some Christmas lights near you!