Advent coincides with the Christmas shopping season. We're surrounded by advertisements and expectations of happiness, often to be found in the giving or getting of things. While the joy found in generosity can be a welcome respite from the news and negativity of daily life, those conflicts and crises aren't going to disappear while we celebrate. At some point we need to face them again.
Hopefully, as we face them, we see God's face and presence in them. The call of Advent is to wait in joyful hope for the coming of Emmanuel — God with us. The article that students will explore challenges them to look with eyes of faith and focus on goodness and hope, no matter how dire a situation might seem.
Invite students to close their eyes and listen to a story. Then say:
"There once were twin brothers — one was a pessimist, and the other an optimist. On Christmas morning, they ran to the family tree. The pessimist unwrapped box after box, all loaded with fun new toys and gadgets, then burst into tears. He knew that it wouldn't be long until he broke them all.
The optimist found something different. It was a big, stinking pile of manure. He joyfully jumped into it and started digging down with his hands. 'With all this manure,' he said, 'there's gotta be a pony in here somewhere!'"
Invite students to open their eyes. Then ask:
- Do you or someone you know sometimes see the worst in a situation, even one that looks positive?
- Are you or someone you know able to see hope or potential in a situation, even one that looks negative?
- What factors influence your outlook about situations? What role does past experience play? What role does faith play?
- Can someone share a time — either happy or hopeless — when you sensed God's presence and goodness?
Conclude by saying: "Advent is a season to open our eyes to situations around us, and to focus on the hope that can be found when we discover God's presence. God is among us, even when things don't look — or even smell — all that great!"
Jesus, you came into our world
not in a gleaming palace, but a smelly stable.
You grew to know temptation, sorrow, hunger, pain and so many other human feelings.
You journeyed with us, and you showed us the way.
Be with us, Emmanuel, in this Advent season.
Let us know you're with us, even amid conflict and troubles.
Through your presence, help us find hope.
Amen.
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