We Wonder

1 Samuel 17:2-11, 32-37

Today’s symbol is David’s sling. When everyone else in Israel was afraid, David trusted God to deliver his people. David grew to be a king who showed Israel how to love and trust the LORD.

I wonder what it was like to see tall, strong, armored Goliath challenging Israel’s army every day. I wonder if they were frightened? Discouraged? I wonder if God felt small and far away in the face of such a mighty warrior?

Has there been a time when I’ve been so frightened that I have forgotten to trust in God? Has there ever been a time when God felt smaller than the things I am afraid of? What do I want to say to God about that?

I wonder what Saul and the Israelite army were thinking about when David walked out to meet Goliath. I wonder if they were trembling and scared to watch? Or I wonder if his trust in God made them feel more brave? Can I imagine myself there? How would I have felt as I watched David stand face to face with Goliath?

I wonder if there are times when it is hard to see that God is for me? Can I ask God to help me be confident that his love will always save, and will never fail?

Mighty God, if you are for us, who can be against us? Help us to trust in you. Help us not to be afraid. Help us to wait for you to save us, because you are faithful and strong.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

1 Samuel 3:1-10

Today’s symbol is Samuel’s oil. Samuel learned to listen to God. Because he listened and trusted in God’s words, Samuel knew who God would choose to be king over Israel. God gave Samuel the job of anointing, or setting apart, the king.

I wonder what God’s voice sounded like to Samuel? I wonder what he felt when he heard his name spoken in the dark?

I wonder what it was like to come so close to God that Samuel could recognize and trust his words? I wonder if I have ever been confident, like Samuel, that God’s words are true and I can trust them? Can I ask God to help me trust and follow his voice?

I wonder if it’s hard to listen sometimes. Do I have trouble making my heart and mind quiet? Can I ask God to come close to me, even when I have trouble coming close to God?

I wonder if God has ever felt far away, or hard to hear? Are there people in my life who can speak God’s words of love to me when I have trouble hearing them? What do I want to say to God about that?

In Advent, we are waiting for Jesus. The Bible tells us that Jesus is God’s Word to us. I wonder how I can learn to listen to Jesus? Can I ask God to help me to trust that Jesus’ love and life are for me?

Patient God, we want to hear your words. We want to know you better. Help us to learn to listen for you quietly, and to follow you when you speak.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Ruth 2:1-12

Today’s symbol is a head of grain. Ruth gathered grain in Boaz’s fields, and he was kind to her. God brought Ruth into his family, and she became the great-grandmother of Israel’s greatest king.

I wonder how Ruth felt, as she stepped out into Boaz’s fields, surrounded by strange workers and strange scenery? I wonder what it was like, to be alone and so far from home?

I wonder if I have ever felt like a stranger in a new place? What did I do? How did that feel on the inside? What do I want to say to God about that time?

I wonder what Boaz’s voice sounded like as he welcomed Ruth? Have I ever been welcomed by someone? Has someone ever spoken kindly to me when I was afraid? Can I say thank you to God for that time?

Have I ever noticed someone who was new at my school? At my church? Can I ask God to help me welcome others when they may feel different or afraid?

Ruth moved from being an outsider to the very middle of God’s story. She is one of Jesus’ ancestors! I wonder what this story shows me about who God is, and what God is like?

We are halfway through Advent, and we are seeing God’s family grow. We are waiting for the time when God will keep his promise to save his people, and bring all of us into his family in Jesus. Can I say thank you to God for each of these stories? How can I wait for God to come and save today?

Kind and gracious God, thank you for bringing us into your family, even when we were outsiders like Ruth. Thank you for having a place for everyone at your table.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Joshua 6:1-5, 12-17

Today’s symbol is the shofar, which is a musical instrument made from a ram’s horn. God brought the people into the Promised Land, and saved them when they blew the shofar outside of Jericho.

I wonder how it felt to walk silently around those tall, strong city walls for seven days? I wonder if it would be hard to keep my body and voice quiet? I wonder what it was like to trust that God and God alone would bring the walls down?

I wonder what the sound of the seven shofars was like, as they sounded off the city walls? I wonder how it felt to finally be able to shout aloud to God, after being silent for so long?

I wonder, is it ever hard for me to believe that God is strong and will keep his promises? What can make me feel that way? What do I want to say to God about that?

I wonder if there has ever been a time when I felt confident and safe in God’s mighty love? What did that feel like inside my body? Can I say thank you to God for that time?

I wonder how this story can help us in Advent? Can I ask God to walk with me as I wait, just as the Israelites waited outside Jericho? Can I get ready to raise my voice to celebrate, when God arrives to save?

Mighty God, you fought for your people at Jericho. Help us to trust in your strength, like Joshua and like the Israelites. Thank you that we do not have to fight for ourselves or save ourselves, because you are our strength and our shield.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Deuteronomy 5:1-22

Today’s symbol is the two tablets of the law. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mt Sinai, and Moses gave them to God’s people. The Ten Commandments teach us how to love God and how to love one another.

I wonder what it was like, to be with God’s people and wandering in the wilderness? I wonder what God’s people said to God when they felt lost and afraid?

I wonder if I have ever been lost? I wonder if there is a time when I didn’t know the way I should go? What do I want to say to God about that time?

I wonder how following these ways can help me love God more? I wonder how they can help me love other people? Is there anything I want to ask God about his good ways?

I wonder what happens when people break God’s ways? I don’t always follow the ways into God’s presence. I wonder how God comes close to us, when we fail to come close to God?

In Advent, we remember that we don’t stay in God’s presence, so we are waiting for God to come and live among us. I wonder what it is like to rest safely in God’s presence? I wonder how I can practice that right now.

Holy and loving God, you have given us your ways as a gift. Forgive us when we break them. Thank you for coming to live with us, and for adopting us into your family. Teach us to walk in your ways, and to show others with all of our lives the way into your loving presence too.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Exodus 3:1-14

Today’s symbol is the burning bush. God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and promised to save his people.

I wonder what it was like to see that bush, wreathed in dancing flames but still itself? Can I see anything about God in that picture?

I wonder why Moses was afraid to look at God? I wonder what about the sight of the bush, or the words God spoke, made him turn his face away?

I wonder if God’s people felt like God had forgotten them, trapped as slaves in Egypt? I wonder if they were waiting for God to come save them, or if they had given up? Does it ever feel like God has forgotten me? What do I want to say to God about that?

I wonder if there is anything I want to ask God to see? Is there anyone I know who is hurting and needs God to come close? Are there any parts of me that I want God to see and come close to?

I wonder if I can sit quietly for a moment with God’s name. “I AM WHO I AM.” Can I ask God to teach me who he is?

God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, you are our God too. You are living, and you are the God who saves. Help us to come close to you, and to know you like Moses did.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Genesis 37:3-4; 23-36

Today’s symbol is Joseph’s colored coat. God was with Joseph. Even though his brothers tried to hurt him, God used Joseph to save his family.

I wonder how Joseph’s brothers felt when Jacob gave him that beautiful robe? Has there ever been a time when I felt like someone else was loved more than me? How does that feel on the inside? What do I want to say to God about that feeling?

I wonder how Joseph felt, as he sat at the bottom of that dark, dank well? Or as he was led away to a strange land as a slave, by strangers? Was he afraid? Did he miss his father? Did he call for his mother?

Has there ever been a time when I have been really, really afraid? Has there ever been a time when I felt like nothing good would happen again? Can I let God come close to me and love me, as I remember that feeling?

When Joseph met his brothers, many years later, he forgave them -- not because what they did was okay, but because he knew that God had been with him at every step of the way, from the well, across the desert, and into Egypt. I wonder if there are places in my life where it’s hard to see God with me? What do I want to say to God about those places?

God, you are always with us. God, you are strong. You are always at work, and you can turn evil to good. God, you are forgiving, and you help us to forgive. We love you.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Genesis 27:18-35

Today’s symbol shows Jacob’s ladder. God came close to Jacob, even when Jacob ran away.

I wonder how Jacob felt, as he pretended to be his brother and stole Esau’s blessing? I wonder if he was nervous? Triumphant? Afraid of being caught?

I wonder, have I ever wanted something good that belonged to someone else? What does that feel like on the inside? Is there anything I want to say to God about that feeling?

I wonder, has someone else ever taken something good that should have been mine? How did I feel on the inside? How did I act on the outside? Is there anything I want to say to God about that time?

Esau was so angry with his brother that Jacob had to run away and hide. I wonder, have I ever felt like hiding or running away because of something I have done?

When Jacob was running away from his family, God’s blessing went with him. I wonder, can I trust that God is always close to me, even when I feel like running or hiding? Can I tell God thank you for never, ever letting me go?

I wonder if there are times when it feels like the wrong person is getting a blessing. I wonder if sometimes I think I don’t deserve God’s blessing? Can I believe that in Advent, we are waiting for Jesus to come and find everyone who has done wrong and tried to run away?

Ever-present God, you never leave us alone. You remind us, over and over again, that we are a part of your family and that your promises are for us, no matter what we do. Thank you that we belong to you.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Genesis 22:3-14

Today’s symbol is a ram. Abraham trusted God, and God was faithful to Abraham. God gave Abraham a ram for a sacrifice, instead of his only son.

I wonder what Abraham felt like on the inside, as he hiked up the mountain with Isaac, the fire, and the wood. I wonder what he said to God?

I wonder if there has been a time when God’s words did not seem good to me? Has there been a time when I felt like God’s promises were coming untrue? What can I say to God about that?

I wonder if there has been a time when I have seen God provide? Can I rest in that moment? How can I carry that moment with me today?

The angel, or messenger, of the LORD said to Abraham, “Now I know that you would do anything for God. You have not held back from me your son, your only son.” In Advent, we wait for God’s only Son, Jesus, who came into the world to live with us and die for us. I wonder: can it be true that God would do anything for us? What can I say to God about this great gift of love?

Generous God, you are our faithful provider. You did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for all of us. Help us to trust you no matter what, like Abraham did, because you are good.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-7

Today’s symbol is a sky full of stars. God promised to give Abraham a family larger than the number of the stars.

Can I remember a time when it was hard to wait for something? How did I feel? Can I ask God to stay close to me when I am impatient?

Right now, we are waiting for Christmas. We are also waiting for Jesus to come again, and make everything right. Can I ask Jesus to help me trust his promise to come live with us again?

God gave Abram and Sarai new names, to tell them who they would be. I wonder who God says that I am? Can I trust and believe that I am God’s beloved child?

I wonder if Abraham could imagine just how big God’s promise to him was? Can I say thank you to God that I was a part of this promise, too, long, long ago?

Faithful God, you kept your promise to Abraham and Sarah. You gave them a son. Help us as we wait this Advent for your promised Son. We give you praise because you always keep your promises!

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.