When Fear Bows to Hope – HOPE WINS!

🌟 Children Message

This Advent we have four gifts from God: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love.

For the next four Sundays, we’ll hear stories about how God’s gifts help us when we feel afraid. Today we start with Hope.

🌟 The Story of the Two Wolves - (Shared last Sunday in the adult sermon)

A child once asked their grandpa: “Grandpa, why do I feel scared sometimes, and my tummy gets tight?”

Grandpa smiled and said: “My child, inside every person are two wolves who wrestle.”

The child’s eyes grew big. “Wolves? Inside me?”

Grandpa nodded.

🐺 The first wolf is Fear. 

Fear grows bigger when we keep thinking scary thoughts.

Fear likes to whisper, “What if something goes wrong?” 

🐺 The second wolf is Hope. 

Hope grows stronger when we trust God.

Hope always whispers, “You’re not alone. God loves you very much.” 

The child asked: “Grandpa, which wolf wins?”

Grandpa answered: “The one you feed.”

The child thought for a moment and asked: “But what if I feed Fear by accident?” Grandpa said gently: “Then Hope steps forward, because Hope is the boss. Hope would say to Fear, ‘Sit down now. I’ve got this.’ And Fear eventually will bow down—like a puppy sitting instead of barking.” “That,” Grandpa said, “is what it means when Hope wins. Fear gets quiet. Hope stands tall.”

🕊️ Connecting to Zechariah (Luke 1)

A long time ago, there was a couple named Zechariah and Elizabeth. They were old and had no children. Sometimes the Fear wolf barked at them, saying, “God has forgotten you.” But Zechariah kept feeding the Hope wolf. He kept praying. He kept trusting.

One day, an angel came and said: “Do not be afraid. God has heard your prayer. You will have a son, and his name will be John.”

God listens. God responds. That's when Hope wins and Fear bows down.

✨ Takeaway for Kids When you feel scared, remember: you have two wolves inside. Feed Hope by trusting God’s love. And when Hope wins, Fear gets quiet.

🙏 Closing Prayer (Repeat After Me)

Leader: Dear God,

Children: Dear God,

Leader: Thank You for loving us.

Children: Thank You for loving us.

Leader: Sometimes we feel afraid.

Children: Sometimes we feel afraid.

Leader: But You give us hope.

Children: But You give us hope.

Leader: Help us feed the Hope wolf.

Children: Help us feed the Hope wolf.

Leader: And trust You every day.

Children: And trust You every day.

Leader: When Hope wins, Fear bows down.

Children: When Hope wins, Fear bows down.

Leader: Thank You, Jesus.

Children: Thank You, Jesus.

Leader: Amen.

Children: Amen.