Hope 8-11 years

Advent Cube

Advent is a special time during which we prepare for Christmas. We prepare our homes, classrooms, the streets and shops. Everything is beautifully decorated; but the most important thing we need to prepare is OUR HEARTS.

During the four weeks of Advent, we will reflect on and pray for: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.
(it is not imperative that this order is kept, but no matter the order these four virtues are important as we prepare our hearts for Jesus)

(for ages between 4 -7 please visit here.)

  1. Print on white construction paper
  2. Cut around the outer lines
  3. Colour the candle of HOPE and the words, ‘ADVENT, preparing our hearts for Jesus’
Advent Cube week 1Download

Hope is when we believe that something good will happen. We hope the weather will be fine on Sunday, so that we go for a family picnic; we hope that war in the world will stop and there will be peace; we hope that at home we will find our favourite food prepared; we hope we do well in our exams! We may also hope that promises are kept. For example, we hope that our parents keep their promise, and we go abroad for our Christmas holidays; we hope that our grandparents keep their promise and buy us the game they promised us; we hope that our friend keeps his/her promise and comes to help us study. All of these, we have no certainty, that they will happen. However, God also made a lot of promises with us, and of these we are certain. God keeps his promises. God promised that he would send his son to save us. And God did indeed keep this promise. Jesus was born, he suffered, he died, and he rose from the dead. Jesus saved us from our sin. Jesus too made promises with us, and Jesus never goes back on his word. Jesus promised to be with us always. Jesus promised that he will help us, that he forgives our sins.
What else did Jesus promise us?

  • Remember that God is always with you, every day, everywhere, whatever you are going through, God is there
  • Remind others that God is with them, especially if they are feeling alone, hurt or passing through a difficult time. Remind them of passages in the Bible like:
  • You are my hope, Lord (Psalm 71, 5)
  • Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3, 5)
  • May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace (Romans 15, 13)
  • I am with youalways, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28, 20
  • Pray for the needs of others
  • Before you sleep, remember all the good things that happened during the day and thank God for them
  • Show others that you care for them, especially those who are alone
  • Offer your help

Lord Jesus, fill our hearts with hopeful anticipation of our coming, so that we are ready to receive you in our hearts and in our minds. Amen.