One Week Family Devotional: Advent Hope
Introduction
Amid the holiday rush, gathering as a family to focus on God can bring hope and peace to your home. This One Week Family Devotional, part of our series of week-long guides, includes seven sessions designed to be simple, meaningful, and engaging for all ages, helping you grow closer to each other and to God. Each session takes just 10-15 minutes, offering a chance to pause, reflect, and connect through scripture, activities, and prayer.
Regular family devotional sessions build stronger relationships, encourage open conversations about faith, and create lasting memories rooted in God’s Word. They help children and adults alike embrace the hope of Advent, fostering a home where anticipation and faith thrive, grounded in His grace.
Session 1: Hope in the Promise
Scripture: Isaiah 9:6 – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God.”
Context: Isaiah prophesied hope to Israel, promising a Savior, fulfilled in Jesus. This session begins with expectation.
Related Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to give you hope,” reinforcing God’s promise.
Instructions:
- Gather with a candle (safely with adult supervision) and read the Scripture.
- Share one hope for the season (e.g., peace at home).
- Discuss: “How does God’s promise give us hope?”
- Reflect: Draw a symbol of hope (e.g., star, candle, dove, etc.).
- Apply: How can you share hope with someone today?
- Memorize: Repeat the verse, lighting the candle.
- End with a family prayer, a short example can be seen below.
Prayer: “Lord, thank You for the hope of Jesus. Fill us with anticipation this Advent Season. Amen.”
Benefit: Ignites hope in families as they await Christ’s coming.
Session 2: Hope in Waiting
Scripture: Luke 2:25-26 – “Simeon… was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.”
Context: Simeon, a righteous Jewish man in Jerusalem, was promised by the Holy Spirit to see the Messiah before dying (Luke 2:25-35). His faithful waiting reflected Israel’s centuries-long hope for the Savior, sustained through trials. Led to the temple, he recognized the infant Jesus as fulfillment, showing trust in God’s perfect timing brings peace and purpose.
Related Scripture: Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart,” encouraging patient hope.
Instructions:
- Make a “waiting chain” with paper links.
- Add one hope you’re waiting for (e.g., family time, caroling, etc.).
- Discuss: “How can waiting strengthen our hope?”
- Reflect: Write one way you waited on something well.
- Apply: How can you wait with hope this week?
- Memorize: Say the verse, adding a link daily for the rest of these sessions
- End with a family prayer, a short example can be seen below.
Prayer: “God, teach us to wait with hope as Simeon did. Guide us this Advent. Amen.”
Benefit: Teaches patience and hope during the Advent season.
Session 3: Hope in Light
Scripture: John 1:4-5 – “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness.”
Context: John describes Jesus as the light of hope breaking through darkness.
Related Scripture: Isaiah 60:1 – “Arise, shine, for your light has come,” calling to hope.
Instructions:
- Light a candle (safely with adult supervision) and read the scripture.
- Draw a “light path” (light rays) showing hope’s spread, include the memory verse in your drawing.
- Discuss: “How does Jesus’ light bring us hope?”
- Reflect: Note one light moment today, such as a kind word or a peaceful moment that brought you hope.
- Apply: How can you shine hope this week?
- Memorize: Say the verse as you write include it in your drawing, say the verse before blowing out the candle.
- End with a family prayer, a short example can be seen below.
Prayer: “Lord, You are our light. Let Your hope shine through us. Amen.”
Benefit: Highlights Jesus as hope’s light for family reflection.
Session 4: Hope in Humility
Scripture: Luke 2:7 – “She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.”
Context: Jesus’ humble birth offers hope to all, showing God’s love in simplicity.
Related Scripture: Philippians 2:7 – “He made himself nothing… taking the form of a servant,” emphasizing humility.
Instructions:
- Build a small manger with straw or paper.
- Share one humble act of love.
- Discuss: “How does Jesus’ humility give us hope?”
- Reflect: Write one humble hope, such as a desire for patience in challenges, a wish to help a neighbor, or a prayer for a quiet heart during busy days.
- Apply: How can you show humility this week?
- Memorize: Repeat the verse together and write it on the manger.
- End with a family prayer, a short example can be seen below.
Prayer: “God, thank You for Jesus’ humble arrival. Teach us humility. Amen.”
Benefit: Connects families to the humble hope of Christ’s birth.
Session 5: Hope in Angels
Scripture: Luke 2:10 – “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
Context: The angel’s message to shepherds brought hope of salvation.
Related Scripture: Isaiah 40:9 – “Lift up your voice… say, ‘Here is your God!’” echoing angelic hope.
Instructions:
- Act out the angel’s announcement with bold declarative voices.
- Share one “good news” moment, such as hearing a friend recovered from illness, receiving a kind note from a teacher, celebrating a birthday, or sharing your faith.
- Discuss: “How do the angels’ words give us hope?”
- Reflect: Draw an image of the angels appearing to the shepherds.
- Apply: How can you share good news this week? How can you share the excitement of Jesus’ birth?
- Memorize: Say the verse with a joyful tone. Repeat it three times before bed.
- End with a family prayer, a short example can be seen below.
Prayer: “Lord, thank You for the angels’ hope. Let us share Your good news. Amen.”
Benefit: Brings the joy of angelic hope to family celebrations.
Session 6: Hope in Gifts
Scripture: Matthew 2:11 – “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.”
Context: The Magi’s gifts symbolized hope in Jesus as King and Savior.
Related Scripture: Psalm 72:10 – “The kings… bring him gifts,” foretelling the tribute.
Instructions:
- Create a “Hope Offering” collage using paper, magazines, or drawings.
- Each family member cuts or draws images or words representing a hope dedicated to Jesus (e.g., a dove for peace, a heart for love) and glues them onto a shared sheet.
- Discuss: “How does dedicating our hopes to Jesus reflect our worship?”
- Reflect: Write one hope from the collage on a sticky note.
- Apply: How can you live out this hope for others this week?
- Memorize: Say the verse (Matthew 2:11) each morning, using the collage as a reminder.
- End with a family prayer, a short example can be seen below.
Prayer: “God, thank You for Jesus, our hope. We dedicate our hearts to Your glory. Amen.”
Benefit: Encourages giving as an expression of Advent hope through worship and dedication.
Session 7: Hope Fulfilled
Scripture: Luke 2:30-32 – “My eyes have seen your salvation… a light for revelation to the Gentiles.”
Context: Simeon’s song celebrates the fulfillment of hope in Jesus.
Related Scripture: Titus 2:13 – “We wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of… our Savior,” looking to future hope.
Instructions:
- Light candles (if used) and read the scripture.
- Share: Describe one moment this week when you felt God’s presence or peace.
- Discuss: “How does Jesus fulfill our hope?”
- Reflect: Write one way you can carry hope into the coming year.
- Apply: How can you live in hope daily?
- Memorize: Sing the verse softly.
- End with a family prayer, a short example can be seen below.
Prayer: “Lord, thank You for fulfilling hope in Jesus. Keep us hopeful always. Amen.”
Benefit: Culminates Advent devotional with a celebration of fulfilled hope.
Conclusion
These devotional sessions are a simple way to weave faith into your family’s life, creating moments of connection and growth. As part of our One Week Family Devotional series, this guide offers seven sessions to try over a week. See how God works in your home! Share your family’s experiences with us via email, post, or social media—we’d love to hear your stories!
Watch the Craft Stick Bible Story Video of the Nativity Story Here!
About the One Week Family Devotional Series
The One Week Family Devotional series is crafted to bring families together in faith. Each devotional in the series offers seven short, interactive sessions—one for each day of the week—designed to spark meaningful conversations and spiritual growth. Rooted in scripture, these guides blend engaging activities, heartfelt prayers, and practical applications to help families deepen their relationship with God and each other. Whether you’re new to family devotionals or seeking fresh ways to connect, this series provides accessible, faith-filled moments that fit into busy schedules, creating lasting memories and a stronger spiritual foundation for your home.
