2021 road-tripping

AN ADVENT GUIDE

2021

Road-Tripping

to Bethlehem

Road-Tripping

to Bethlehem

Points of interest on the way to the manger

. . .

About This Series

Christmas tells the extraordinary story about how God came to us at a particular time in history, in a particular place in the world, with a particular name that stands above all other names: Jesus.

But the season of Advent—the four weeks leading up to Christmas—is an ancient story about the inward, spiritual journey we must make if we are ever to find this God who has come to us in Jesus. Because God came in such a humble, hidden, unspectacular way, the world nearly missed the first Christmas. As might we even today.

So, we make this Advent journey together, traveling across the spiritual landscape of our lives and our world: through places and spaces of chaos, forgiveness, emptiness, wisdom, and wonder, until we arrive at last in Bethlehem—and there behold the face of God beholding us in love.

The only way to Bethlehem is through the sea, the river, the desert, the hill country, and the fields. The promise of God goes with us as we journey through them. The presence of God waits for us somewhere beyond them, in the form of a child wrapped in swaddling and lying in a manger.

Are you ready to road-trip to Bethlehem?

The Sea

The River

The Desert

The Hill Country

The Fields

Home

Inspired by our sermon series, this practi-cal guide offers ways to interact with these points of interest along the journey, with questions about Advent and your place in this journey, information on events and outreach opportunities, as well as coloring pages and Mad Libs-style puzzles for the whole family. Christmas is more than trees and lights, fes-tive food and music, or giving and receiving presents; for Christians, it’s about remem-bering the struggles of our ancient ances-tors who longed for a savior, a young woman who met an angel and became pregnant, a handful of people who acted on faith, and a little child who saved the world.

We hope this guide enhances your journey this Advent season. Let’s hit the road...

About This Guide

TheNeighborhood

The SeaW E E K 1 LU K E 2 1 : 2 5 – 3 6

The Hebrew word for sea, “yam,” means “a noisy surf that roars.” Throughout Scripture, the sea is a symbol of chaos, death, and evil. It’s where leviathan and hidden dangers lurk. It’s a perpetual barrier to our peace and freedom. The sea is a place of fear and tur-moil in our world.

When God parted the sea to allow the an-cient Israelites to escape Egypt, the people suddenly knew that God could conquer all things, even Pharaoh’s army and the evils of slavery (Exodus 14).

When the disciples were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee and feared certain death, Jesus calmed the raging waters with a simple command—”Peace! Be still!”—and the disciples immediately understood that Jesus could conquer all things, even chaos and death (Mark 4).

Where, in your life and in our world, are the forces of chaos, death, and evil raging?

This week, journey to those places that cry out for liberation, peace, and fullness of life, and ask God to part the waters and calm the storm.

Help us collect items to give to those experi-encing homelessness in our city. New, unused items can be dropped off at St. Andrew during business hours.

Need a mid-week soul refresher? AdventRecitals are available in-person and online.

Use this week’s scripture to complete the story. Luke 21:25–36 (Common English Bible)

My family is planning a trip to the ______________, many

hours away. We will be guided by the ______________,

______________ and ______________. My parents will

pack snacks, including ______________, which we

will eat under a ______________. We especially love

to travel in the ______________. As we travel through

______________ ______________, I will be so excit-

ed to arrive so I can ______________ to the beach,

______________ about our great adventure!

Good Samaritan Opportunity

Points of Interest

Car Games

T H I S W E E K S L E E P I N G BAG S& WO O L SO C KS

A DV E N TR E C I TA LS 1 2 : 1 0 P M

W E D N E S DAYS

(noun v. 29)

(noun v. 25)

(noun v. 25)

(noun v. 25)(noun v. 25)

(noun v. 29)

(season v. 30)

(two-word location v. 31)

(verb v. 36)

(-ing verb v. 36)

W E E K 1 • T H E S E A

W E E K 1 • T H E S E A

Travel Journal

The RiverW E E K 2 LU K E 3 : 1 – 6

Throughout Scripture, the river is a symbol of redemption, break-through, and new life. The river is understood as transitional or liminal space that, once passed through or crossed over, marks a sudden change and a whole new life, future, and identity for a per-son or a group. When the ancient Israelites crossed the Jor-dan River and arrived at the Promised Land, their long exodus from Egypt was finally over. God had delivered them from slavery and oppression. When at last they stepped out of the river and onto dry land, they were finally home (Deuteronomy 30). When John the Baptist invited the people to step into the Jordan River to be baptized, he called them to repent of their sins and to prepare a way in their lives for the com-ing Messiah. When the people stepped out of the waters of their baptism, they were cleansed, forgiven, and redeemed.

Where, in your life and in our world, do you see hopeful possibilities for the future? What rivers must be crossed, what old ways must be left behind, to inherit that future?


2021 St. Andrew Christmas Concert A Dickens Christmas: Hope from Ruins Concerts will be available in-person and online.


God’s ______________ came to ______________

and he invited people to be ______________ in the

Jordan River and said that their ______________

would be forgiven. People from the ______________

and every ______________, ______________ and

_____________ were called to come to the river, where

they could experience the ______________ power of

______________.


Points of Interest

Car Games

T H I S W E E K S L E E P I N G BAG S& WA R M H AT S

F R I DAY, D E C 1 0 7 : 3 0 P M

SAT U R DAY, D E C 1 12 P M

(noun v. 2) (male name v. 2)

(location v. 4)

(location v. 5) (location v. 5)

(adjective v. 6)

(noun v. 6)

(location v. 5)

(verb v. 3)

(plural noun v. 3)

W E E K 2 • T H E R I V E R

W E E K 2 • T H E R I V E R

Travel Journal

The DesertW E E K 3 Z E P H A N I A H 3 : 1 4 – 2 0

Throughout Scripture, the desert, or wilder-ness, is a symbol of barrenness, homesick-ness, wandering, and the longing for God’s presence. In the desert, people encounter hardship and danger, wild animals and ban-dits, hunger, thirst, and even death. But they often also hear the voice of God, or see new visions, and claim an intimacy with God they never thought possible.

At the end of their exile in Babylon, the Isra-elites passed through the desert as they re-turned home to Judah. They were filled with anxiety, unsure if they’d ever make it, uncer-tain of what they’d find when they finally ar-rived. Lifting their eyes to the hills, they won-dered where their help would come from. But somewhere in the middle of the desert, they came to believe again. “My help comes from the Lord,” they sang, “who made heav-en and earth” (Psalm 121).

Where, in your life or in the world, is there a sense of barrenness, emptiness, and hunger for God’s presence, assurance, or promise?


Denver Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert

Use this week’s scripture to complete the story. Zephaniah 3:14–20 (Common English Bible)

The celebration in _________ and ______________

happens when the people of ______________ re-

alize their ______________ stands with them. They

don’t have to ______________ about any more

______________. To realize this ______________, God’s

people have passed through the desert and now

can ______________ what God has ______________.

They are heading ______________ and will see God’s

blessings with their own ______________. They will be

known everywhere on ______________.


Points of Interest

Car Games

T H I S W E E K S L E E P I N G BAG S& H A N D WA R M E R S

D E C E M B E R 1 2 • 3 P MS U N DAY

(city v. 14)

(noun v. 15)

(noun v. 15)

(noun v. 17)

(verb v. 18)

(noun v. 20)

(past-tense verb v. 18)

(plural noun v. 15)

(plural noun v. 20)

(noun v. 20)

(verb v. 15)

(city v. 14)

W E E K 3 • T H E D E S E RT

W E E K 3 • T H E D E S E RT

Travel Journal

The Hill CountryW E E K 4 LU K E 1 : 3 9 – 5 5

The Judean hill country was a place that matured and deepened a person’s faith. The difficulties of daily life here—from agri-cultural challenges to lack of water—forced dependence on God just to survive. Living in the hill country, away from the city, fostered trust in God’s daily provision. God would be faithful and provide for your most basic needs.

Mary, after learning of her unlikely and un-planned pregnancy, visited her cousin, Eliz-abeth, in the hill country. There, she found in Elizabeth the faith and assurance that God would provide for Mary. There was no rea-son to fear. God would not only lift her up but would use Mary to lift up an entire people by giving birth to the Messiah.

Where, in your life or in the world, are the challenges so great that you cannot overcome without the help of God?

To whom can you go to be reminded that God will provide?


Blue Christmas • This service is a calm, reflec-tive time of peace and worship in the midst of the hectic pace of the season.


Last summer, my parents took ______________ and

me to a town in the ______________ ______________

of Judea. We also saw ______________ and

______________. Both Mary and her cousin, Eliza-

beth, are going to have a ______________. They are

so ______________ and love to ______________. They

reminded me that God ______________ God’s ser-

vants. This is the Lord’s ______________. It was really

a ______________ trip!


Points of Interest

Car Games

T H I S W E E K S L E E P I N G BAG S& G LOV E S

D E C E M B E R 1 9 • 6 P MS U N DAY

(name v. 39)

(name v. 40)

(name v. 40)

(noun v. 44)

(adjective v. 44)

(adjective v. 45)

(phrase v. 46)

(verb v. 54)

(noun v. 55)


W E E K 4 • T H E H I L L C O U N T RY

W E E K 4 • T H E H I L L C O U N T RY

Travel Journal

The FieldsW E E K 5 LU K E 2 : 1 – 2 0

Throughout Scripture, fields are symbols of our daily work. In the fields and vine-yards, we toil, till, prune, and harvest. We don’t expect to find much beauty or awe in the fields. The days are long. The work is hard. The tasks start to feel mundane. But we can never rest. We don’t know what new challenges we’ll encounter while working in the fields, but we know that the fields, like the world, are always fraught with problems growing beneath the surface. The fields are the last place on earth in which we expect to encounter wonder.

As shepherds watched their flocks by night, the fields came alive with beauty and the sounds of angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2). The shepherds were the first to know that the Savior had been born. One minute, they’re simply doing their ordinary, everyday job; and the next, they’re overcome with wonder and joy. It all happened in a field.

Where, in the ordinary fields of your life, is God trying to get your attention, to fill you with wonder, joy, and purpose?


Christmas Eve at St. Andrew


Camping was our only option because there was no

______________ available. ______________, living in the

______________ were afraid of an ______________ at

night. The angel told them about our ______________

______________ lying in a ______________. The baby’s

parents, ______________ and ______________ greet-

ed the shepherds when they came to see the baby.

It was an amazing trip, for which we’re all praising

______________.


Points of Interest

Car Games

T H I S W E E K S L E E P I N G BAG S& WO O L SO C KS

1 2 P M , 3 P M , 5 P M , 7 P M , & 9 P M

F R I DAY D E C E M B E R 2 4

(noun v. 7) (noun v. 8)

(plural noun v. 8) (noun v. 9)

(adjective v. 12)


(name v. 16) (name v. 16)

(noun v. 20)

W E E K 5 • T H E F I E L D S

W E E K 5 • T H E F I E L D S

Travel Journal

The NeighborhoodW E E K 6 J O H N 1 : 1 – 1 8

In Scripture, the neighborhood, or village, is the hub of daily life and the hive of person-al relationships. It’s where people share a common life together. In the neighborhood, people know each other, look out for each other, look after each other. The neighbor-hood is a place of community and mutual responsibility, where “what’s mine is yours.”

Christmas is a story about the day that the “Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood” (John 1). In the per-son of Jesus, God became incarnate and now dwells with us. God lives next door, across the street, around the corner.

Where, in your neighborhood, can you find evidence of the presence of God?

How, in your neighborhood, can you become the very flesh and blood of God for your neighbors?

Each week we fill backpacks with nonperishable food and other essential items. You can take a backpack with you to give away when you see someone in our community in need.

New Pathways classes begin in January. These are a great resource if you’re looking to continue to grow in your faith journey in the new year.

Use this week’s scripture to complete the story. John 1:1–18 (Common English Bible)

Neighborhood is a ______________ to describe

the area your family lives. One of my neighbors is

a man named ______________ who was sent from

______________. When he came to every neighbor-

hood, the Word became ______________ and my

friend ______________ called him ______________

______________ ______________. Jesus has of-

fered my family ______________ and has made

______________ ______________ to us.


Points of Interest

Car Games

G O STA N D R E W.C O M /J U ST- CA R E

L E A R N & G ROW2 0 2 2

G O STA N D R E W.C O M / ST U D I E S

(noun v. 1)

(name v. 6)

(noun v. 6)

(noun v. 14)

(name v. 15)

(three-word phrase v. 15)

(noun v. 16)

(two-word phrase v. 18)

W E E K 6 • T H E N E I G H B O R H O O D

W E E K 6 • T H E N E I G H B O R H O O D

Travel Journal

HomeW E E K 7 J E R E M I A H 3 1 : 7 – 1 4

In Scripture, home is where God dwells. For the ancients, home was Israel, the Prom-ised Land. After fleeing Egypt, they spent decades trying to get there. Later, as exiles in Babylon, they spent decades wondering if they’d ever get back there again. Home is where God is. Home is where the heart is. Home is where the familiar rhythms and rou-tines of daily life form us and sustain us. To be away from home for any length of time leads to homesickness. To return home af-ter any length of time is to finally be at home in the world, and to be at peace with our-selves.

When the exiles returned home after de-cades of living in Babylon, they wept for joy. Their faces beamed, women and men danced, and their weeping turned to laugh-ter, their grief to happiness (Jeremiah 31).

Where in your life do you feel most at home?

When have you ever felt homesick?

Have you encountered someone who is longing for home?

Each Sunday we partner with AfterHours Denver to provide sack lunches for those experiencing homelessness in our city. You can sign-up to help make or deliver lunches on our website.

Life Groups are one of the primary ways we as a community take time to share life together. It is in this rhythm of life in community that we become transformed to be more like Jesus.

Use this week’s scripture to complete the story. Jeremiah 31:2–14 (Common English Bible)

Good vacations can make you ______________

with joy! but when you return home, you may shed

______________ _______ ______________. If you

visit ______________ ______________, please stay

______________. Home is like a ______________

______________, rich with the Lord’s ______________.

Be thankful for God’s ______________.


Points of Interest

Car Games

S U N DAYS SAC K LU N C H E S

ST. A N D R E W L I F E G RO U P S S I G N - U P

G O STA N D R E W.C O M / L I F E G RO U P S

G O STA N D R E W.C O M /O U T R E AC H

(verb v. 4)

(three-word phrase v. 9)


(adjective v. 10) (adjective v. 12)


(noun v. 14)

W E E K 7 • H O M E

W E E K 7 • H O M E

Travel Journal

G O S TA N D R E W.C O M

and the darknessdid not overcome it.

The light shines inthe darkness

2021 road-tripping

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