Episode #36 - Five Ideas for the Advent Season

In this episode, Andie shares five ideas that you can apply to your family as you enter the Advent season.  These traditions will enrich and encourage you to lift your eyes to the gift of the incarnation and the hope of the second coming of Christ. 

Summary of ideas shared:
1. Advent story read-aloud at meal times - Jotham's Journey by Arnold Ytreeide available at Amazon (and other books in the series) 
2. Independent reading time by the Christmas tree
3. Advent Christmas Book Countdown Basket
4. Letters to Jesus Binder - Wrapped in a gift box and placed under the tree to write letters each Christmas Eve
5. Advent Prophesy Boxes - Get a large Christmas gift box at Hobby Lobby and twelve smaller boxes that fit inside.  Print out the scriptures below and find a correlating object to represent the fulfilled prophesy to open each night on the days leading up to Christmas. 

12 Prophecies About the Life of Jesus for Advent Prophesy Boxes

1. The Messiah would be preceded by a messenger
Old Testament (Isaiah 40:3) says:
A voice of one calling In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway
for our God.
New Testament (Matthew 3:1-2) says:
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea, and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven is near.
Prophecy Box Ideas: Camel’s hair, small leather belt, plastic locust representing John the Baptist or a
small trumpet or voice magnifier representing a messenger

2. The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem
Old Testament (Micah 5:2) says:
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
New Testament (Matthew 2:1) says:
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod...
Prophecy Box Ideas: A small laminated map of where Bethlehem is.

3. The Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah
Old Testament (Genesis 49:10) says:
This passage talks about a ruler coming from the Tribe of Judah, one whose rule will be all-powerful: The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the rulers staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it
belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.
New Testament (Luke 3:23-34 and Matthew 1:1-16):
Here you'll find a list of Jesus' ancestors, going back to Judah, who was one of the 12 sons of Jacob. (Jacob's 12 sons were the fathers of the 12 Tribes of Israel).
Prophecy Box Ideas: Something representing the Tribe of Judah – a list of the tribes or lineage of Jesus

4. The Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a colt
Old Testament (Zechariah 9:9) says:
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
New Testament (Luke 19:35-37) says:
They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their
cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole
crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen
Prophecy Box Ideas: A small, plastic colt/horse

5. The Messiah would be betrayed by a friend
Old Testament (Psalms 41:9) says:
Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
New Testament (Matthew 26:47-50) says:
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords
and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with
them: The on