Explore & respond

•   In the legend of Papa Panov, Jesus tells an old man, in a dream, that he will visit him on Christmas Day. All day Papa Panov watches for Jesus. While he does so, he shares his meal with a street sweeper, gives a young mother some warm shoes for her baby, offers hospitality to passers-by. At the end of the day, saddened and disappointed by Jesus’ non-appearance, Papa Panov falls asleep again, only to hear in his dreams that Jesus did indeed visit him, for he was present in all those whom Papa Panov helped. Who are the people in whom we will meet Jesus today?
  
  
• John, in prison, has been stripped of all that human life can offer. He has nothing left to hold onto, nothing left to give. He reaches out desperately to Jesus, seeking validation for his life’s efforts. He is full of doubt and nearing despair. Why doesn’t Jesus answer him clearly? It would be so easy simply to say: ‘Yes. I am the one.’ But Jesus knows that the most profound answers come from within, and he urges John to look at the evidence with his own eyes. He knows John will understand as he is familiar with the Scriptures. John must look within his own heart for the answer – so must we.
  
  
• Advent is traditionally a time of austerity within the Church – some churches don’t have flowers during this season, and wait until Christmas Eve to put up a Christmas tree. Advent is also a time of reflection, of looking into our hearts and acknowledging our times of doubt and despair. And, just as Isaiah draws a picture of the desert rejoicing and blossoming, so from our times of darkness can come the hope of a new way of life, one that has long been promised to us and that is fulfilled in the Messiah. He may not arrive in the way that we expect, but we trust in his promise.

You may also find this week's All-age conversation useful.

You could finish your sermon with a call to action for everyone this week - see the Live your faith idea.

KEY:  icon indicates ways to connect faith with everyday life

Then invite people to share (recent) good news stories from their own lives. Next ask people to form small groups to discuss the following: In our lives, where do we find examples of any of these (based on Jesus’ words): blind people seeing; lame people walking; skin diseases healed; deaf people hearing; dead being raised; poor people hearing good news? How might we encourage or help these things to happen? Can we, as a church or as individuals, commit to one or more of the suggestions we have made?

You may also find this week's Sermon ideas useful.

Group A: What do you see?
Leader: The blind can see (place hands over eyes, then remove).
Group B: Go and tell everyone what you see.
Group A: What do you see?
Leader: The deaf hear (place hands over ears, then remove).
Group B: Go and tell everyone what you see.
Group A: What do you see?
Leader: The lame walk (limp, then run on the spot).
Group B: Go and tell everyone what you see.
Group A: What do you see?
Leader: Lepers are cleansed (brush your skin).
Group B: Go and tell everyone what you see.
Group A: What do you see?
Leader: The dead are raised (crouch down and then leap up).
All: Go and tell everyone what you see.
W E A

Rejoice!

Ask people to imagine that a part of your worship space is God’s highway. Read Isaiah 35.8 and 35.10. Invite everyone to walk or dance along it while singing an uplifting worship song that you know well (so no books/words are needed). Invite those who are unable or do not wish to join in the dance to play percussion instruments or wave ribbons as they sing.
W E

Share it!

Give everyone a gift tag. As people hold their gift tag, invite them to thank God for good things they receive. Then, ask them to think about what good things they can give this week (it could be a gift or a practical action). Encourage everyone to put their gift tag somewhere prominent as a reminder.
W S A

Paths in the desert

You will need large trays of sand. Invite people to reflect on (and share with God) any doubts or difficulties that they or someone they know may be experiencing, while tracing a pathway through the sand with their finger. Encourage people to ponder (and ask God) where their ‘path’ is leading them.
E S

Spiritual styles abbreviations
W Word E Emotion S Symbol A Action
Read our Spiritual Styles articles