Justice and Jubilee • Justice

What is happening in this story?

The Israelites have returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon but continue to face hardship and oppression. The prophet Isaiah, moved by the Spirit of the Lord, announces deliverance for those who are oppressed and comfort for those who mourn. Through a beautiful description of what it means to be alive in the Spirit, alive in God, Isaiah calls us to remember that our faith matters. It heals and gives life.
 

Why does this story matter for kids?

During worship, kids may be waiting to hear lessons that connect more directly with the birth of Jesus Christ. Instead, they are immersed in an Old Testament reading from the prophet Isaiah all about the year of the Lord’s favor. By waiting in Advent, we join in with God’s people from millennia past who waited for the good news of a Savior. For kids (or leaders) who may be feeling sad, lonely, depressed, anxious, scared, or worried, Isaiah offers words of promise and inspiration.

What is the lectionary connection?

We are still waiting and watching in Advent, sustained by finding out more each week about who Jesus is. Isaiah poetically reminds us who Jesus is and why it is so important for Jesus to arrive. There are people (maybe even us) who are brokenhearted and lost. They are getting restless in their despair. Jesus is coming to help them and to bring us all a picture of how things can be!

 

WATCH

THE VIDEO

  • KIDS AGED 10 AND YOUNGER

Here’s a hint about today’s video. Make finger scissors and pretend to cut. Watch the video below:

 

Ask kids these questions about the video:

  • What were the kids trying to share in our video today?

  • Who was being fair and who wasn’t being fair?

  • Jax was trying to be unfair and then he decided to be fair. Have you ever been like Jax? How?

  • What feels fair to you at home? At school? What feels unfair to you at home? At school?

 
 

  • KIDS AGED 11 AND OLDER

The world isn’t always a fair place. In the season of Advent, we hope that things will change for the better. Let’s look at what the video characters are doing this week.

Watch the video below:

 

Ask kids these questions about the video:

  • Why was Leo upset? What was that robot he had with him for?

  • Ruby was telling her friends that she would be leaving the country soon; what was she going to do?

  • How does her project make the world a better place? Have you heard the word justice? What does it mean?

  • Name some things you think need fixing. What can you do?

 

read

the bible story

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

This reading from Isaiah is like a painting. It’s a painting of how the world can be different. With the changing of the seasons comes darkness. The light of the coming Savior shines brightly in this darkness, like Christmas lights!

Ask these questions after you read the story:

  • Sometimes the Bible doesn’t tell a story, but shares a poem, telling what the world could look like. What did you hear in this poem?

  • Sometimes we think justice is all about other people—it’s for you too. How would you paint the picture of your life to be different and fairer?

  • Look at verse 8. There is a strong word in this sentence. What is it? What does God “hate”?

  • Verse 11 shows that justice is like a garden. Seeds in a garden grow into plants. Justice, freedom, and hope can grow from small seeds. Name a place where you see justice, freedom, or hope growing.

wrap up with

review + prayer

Justice, freedom, and hope are big words and big ideas. Isaiah’s visions spread hope that the world could be a better place. Something new was on the horizon. Could you turn something old in your home into something new to give someone this Christmas?

Pray together:

God, thank you for the gift of Christmas. It’s so hard to wait! Give us patience and help us look for new directions, turning around and steering toward you.

try one or two

Follow-up activities

This week’s theme is JUSTICE. The prophet Isaiah’s words speak good news about justice for all. Take a break from the holiday rush this week to try some of these activities.

  • Dress Up Time

    Make a royal robe of praise! Crown yourself with beauty! Play dress up with robes, garlands, and jewels as you read the words in verses 3 and 10 from chapter 61 of Isaiah. God wants to adorn us in finest glory.

  • Shoots from the Earth

    Search online to see how you can plant an indoor terrarium garden. Verse 11 says that as a plant springs up in a garden, the Lord causes righteousness to spring up in all the nations. How do you think righteousness can bloom like garden shoots?

  • Justice for All

    These verses from the prophet Isaiah tell about how God loves justice for all people. What does justice look like today? Print a world map. On it, list some things that would need to happen for God’s justice to be available for all.

This week, our family is praying for:

Season of AdventSalt 'n Light Kids