Advent is the celebration of Christ’s birth and second coming. It is from the Latin word Adventus, meaning a coming or arrival.
It is traditionally celebrated on the four Sundays prior to Christmas. Each Sunday contains Bible readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels.
Many churches light a candle on each of the four Sundays, with the themes being hope, peace, joy, and love.
Recognizing that many of our readers are serving in churches where Advent is celebrated, we are taking a break from our Five Smooth Stones series to provide a series of Advent devotionals.
Each is followed by an experiential activity that can be used by churches or families to teach the weekly theme.
This final week focuses on love.
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:18–21 NIV)
When my son was young, we would kneel by his bed and pray before bedtime.
One evening, when he was about three, he suddenly noticed that I was bald. Up until then, he must have assumed this was normal. But that night, he realized some men have hair on their whole heads and others do not.
Kneeling beside the bed, he prayed that God would give me hair. For the next few nights, he prayed with increasing concern.
After several days, he even offered to give me some of his hair! He could not have been more earnest or sincere—genuinely worried about my lack of hair and willing to sacrifice his own for me.
This simple act reflects one of the essential qualities of love: considering the needs of others before your own.
In Matthew 1:18–25, we are introduced to Jesus through the lives of His earthly parents. It is a multilayered story of love.
The account follows Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1:1–17), which connects Him to the people of God all the way back to Abraham and affirms Him as the fulfillment of God’s promise to David (2 Samuel 7:16; 1 Kings 9:5).
The genealogy ends with Joseph, setting the stage for a beautiful love story.
The passage begins with what could only be described as a scandal involving Mary, Joseph’s betrothed. In those days, young women—often around twelve—were betrothed or engaged.
Once a man fulfilled his obligations to the woman’s father, she came under his authority, although she would not move into his home until the marriage was officially consummated, usually a year or two later.
Matthew 1:18 tells us that Joseph and Mary were nearing the end of their betrothal period when Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant. From all outward appearances, Mary had been unfaithful. Joseph’s response is the first act of love in the story.
Joseph’s Love for Mary
Deuteronomy 22:23–24 makes clear that this kind of immorality was a capital offense.
Joseph must have felt betrayed and heartbroken by what he believed had happened. According to the Law, he would have been justified in seeking Mary’s punishment along with that of the man involved.
But Joseph chose compassion over condemnation.
Scripture tells us that although he was faithful to the Law, he did not want to expose Mary to public disgrace. So he planned to divorce her quietly (v. 19). Despite his own pain and confusion, Joseph sought to protect Mary’s dignity.
This is a timely message for boys and girls today. We live in a culture steeped in narcissism—where people are encouraged to prioritize self-gratification and personal desire. Phrases like “Follow your heart,” “Live your truth,” and “Treat yourself” urge us to focus on ourselves first.
This final week of Advent is an opportunity to help children see the needs of others and consider them more important than their own—at home, at school, or in church. Joseph’s example provides a powerful model of selfless love.
And Joseph’s love was quickly rewarded. An angel appeared to him, explaining that Mary’s pregnancy was the result of God’s miraculous work.
The angel reassured Joseph that he should take Mary as his wife and name the child Jesus, “because he will save his people from their sins” (v. 21).
God’s Love for Humanity
In the angel’s words—“He will save his people from their sins”—we find the ultimate expression of God’s love for His creation.
Humanity’s sin made it impossible for God’s people to fulfill their calling to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis 12:3). Over the centuries, Israel experienced the painful consequences of sin.
Yet instead of abandoning His people, God took on human form in Jesus Christ, revealing His love for all.
Matthew reminds us that Jesus Christ is the very embodiment of God’s love for the world—a love that would ultimately be displayed in His willing sacrifice on the cross.
This is the overarching message of Advent: God’s love for the world expressed through His Son, Jesus Christ.
We can help children respond to this love in two ways:
- Serving others: Jesus’ life inspires us to look for ways to serve siblings, parents, teachers, friends, and neighbors. Gift-giving becomes an expression of love rather than obligation.
- Worshiping with gratitude: Carol singing, children’s choirs, and seasonal worship are not mere performances—they are expressions of praise to God for His great love.
As we close this final week of Advent, the familiar words of Joy to the World ring true:
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
May Joseph’s selflessness and God’s great love remind us what Advent is truly about. Love is more than a feeling—it is a choice to care, to serve, and to give.
When we put others first, we reflect the very heart of God, who gave us His Son, Jesus, to save the world.
This Christmas, may the lives of boys and girls shine with the wonders of His love.
Experiential Activity: Awe & Wonder
Supplies:
- Large candle
- LED tea lights (one per child)
- Dim lighting
Step 1. Set the Mood
Dim lights; kids sit in a circle.
Say: “The world was dark… until God brought light.”
Step 2. Light the Candle
Light the main candle.
Say: “This candle reminds us of Jesus, the Light of the World.”
3. Share the Light
Give each child an LED tea light.
Say: “This Christmas we can remember the awe and wonder of God’s love for.”
4. Wonder Moment
Say: “God sent baby Jesus to show us how much He loves us. That is awesome and wonderful.”