This children’s sermon was given December 6, during our global pandemic, so it was experienced virtually rather than by children in the sanctuary. I’m posting it here in hopes that it can be helpful to someone.
Good morning, girls and boys. I have a question for you today. Are you good at waiting? I’m not really. Here’s an example: Every year we unpack the nativity set that we put on the communion table, and each Sunday of Advent, kids carry the pieces and add them one by one. The first Sunday all they get to carry is the tree and the stable- and that’s really hard for me. I want ALL the characters there- Mary and Joseph and the shepherds and the sheep- even baby Jesus. But I make myself wait. I’m not good at waiting. It’s so hard to wait for something as happy as Christmas!
So what can we do while we’re waiting?
I brought some ideas, to help us get ready for Christmas- not just the presents that we’ll get and give, but to get our hearts ready for the truest meaning of Christmas- for celebrating that God put on skin and came to earth as a baby, to teach you and me how to live and love like God loves.
- [Show Advent bag materials] Many of our families are doing daily Advent activities from the Advent bag– like the advent wreath. On Thursday they made a Not to Do List- because we can’t just add things to our calendar- we have to take some away, so that we have time to do things that matter. This is for a hot chocolate gratitude party, where you drink hot chocolate and share what blessings you’re thankful for- which always point us to God, the source of all good gifts.
- [Show Bibles] We’re celebrating the birth of a baby Jesus, but who did he grow up to be? It’s fun to read stories about what he did and said- and what we’re supposed to learn from him. Older kids can read them yourself. Where are the stories? In the gospels: Matt, Mark, Luke and John.
- [Show eyeglasses] – keep your eyes open for seeing God in nature
-eyes open for seeing God in action, with helpers [reference reading the Advent Book from our church and looking for examples as we go about everyday life]
– eyes open for ways to let God work with you! What can you do to help others?
- Gift- Time for nothing! Give yourself time where you just find a comfy place to sit and don’t have a list of things to do. Breathe deeply. Think of a word for God, and close your eyes and call that word. When other thoughts come in, just say that word inside your head again and breathe. Be with God for 3 or 4 minutes, just letting God love you, and sending love back.
There are so many things we can do while we’re waiting. I’m wondering what you and your family will do today.
Let’s pray. Dear God, we are so ready to celebrate your coming into our world! Help us use our waiting to get to know you better. We love you, God. Amen.
