Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas that are traditionally set aside for preparation and anticipation of Christ’s birth. This Advent season, Crossroads is embarking on a Framily ADVENTure. Each week, we will post a devotional, a special activity, connection questions, playlist, and daily readings to help you seek God and focus your attention on the Christ Child during this busy time of year. Grab your friends, your family or whoever makes up your Framily, and use this page as a resource for your own Framily ADVENTure.

Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,   and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.

Luke 1:46-50

DEVOTIONAL: It’s Adventure Time! Imagine this: You receive an invitation to go on an adventure to an unknown destination. The packing and travel arrangements are covered, and all you need to do is show up. How do you respond? Are you excited about the possibilities, or are you immediately stressed about the logistics? How you feel might boil down to whether you’re a person who likes surprises or a person who likes to plan for things in advance. Maybe you’re a little of both, depending on the situation. Now consider this: would you feel differently if you knew the trip was planned by a close friend or loved one—someone who knows you well? Perhaps it’s someone that has gained your trust. Throughout scripture, we are reminded to trust in the Lord. Why? Because the Lord has a track record of keeping things under control. In the gospel of Luke, the writer connected the story of the nativity to the greater story of the Israelites, recognizing God’s hand throughout history. This Lord that came to Mary with the biggest surprise of her life was the same one who had sustained Israel along the way. Surely the God who knew and loved Israel would also be with Mary on her crazy new adventure. Be open to the adventure God will take you on this Advent season, with all the surprises that may come along the way. CONNECTION QUESTIONS:

1. Tell about a time when you experienced a good surprise. What happened? How did you respond?
2. Tell about a time when you saw God working in your life in an unexpected way.

ADVENTure ACTIVITY: Surprised! During the busyness of the holiday season tasks pile up, so how can you surprise someone? Do something kind for someone else without being prompted or asked: help out with extra household chores, send a handwritten letter or card in the mail, spend time with someone you have not seen in a while, or surprise someone with a small gift that makes you think of him or her. Make it a group activity and have a card-making or cookie-baking party! SONGS: 1. Mother of God by The Brilliance 2. Midwinter by Audrey Assad DAILY READINGS: Luke 1:34-38 Isaiah 43:16-19 Lamentations 3:19-26 Psalm 37:3-9 Luke 1:46-55