First Friday in Advent
Say Throughout the Bible God saved the Israelites over and over. He saved them from the flood with Noah’s ark. He helped them escape Pharoah’s slavery in Egypt and got them safely through the Red Sea. God led and fed the people as they wandered the wilderness for 40 years. God gave victory to his people at Jericho. He made David defeat Goliath. He closed the lions’ mouths when Daniel was thrown into their den. Then the exile happened. The people felt far away from God. But they had hope because the prophets spoke of a king who would come one day to save them.
Ask What do you imagine when you hear the word “king?” What do you think the people were expecting from this savior king?
Read Zechariah 9:9
Light the first purple candle.
Say We usually read this scripture on Palm Sunday, when we talk about Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey the week before he died on the cross. But this verse gives us a glimpse into what the people expected from their savior.
Ask What mood do you feel from this verse? Is it happy, sad, worried, excited…? What words did Zechariah use to describe this King who was coming?
Say Righteous and victorious are very churchy words. What Zechariah is saying is this King will be good, fair, and just. He will win his battles and make the world right. Jesus may not have been the king the people expected, but he is the king we all need.
Sing Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
