And the Lord said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether.
Then Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals. Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again.
But the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not heed you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” So Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land.
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.
And it came to pass at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.”
—From Exodus 11; 12:21–32 (NKJV)

“A lamb slaughtered, one for each household, fully consumed, blood on every doorpost—that Passover meal would become a worship service.”

— The Joy of Advent

Reflection

Moses didn’t want to be God’s chosen prophet (Ex. 3–4:17). When God announced (from a burning bush) that Moses would be his hands, feet, and mouth, Moses had a litany of objections. “What will I say?” “They won’t listen to me.” “I can’t speak well.” “Lord, please send someone else!” The Lord’s anger was kindled, but not with punishment—because God knows our weaknesses better than we do. Instead he sent Moses’s brother Aaron to go with Moses, but not instead of him. Reflect on something God has asked you to be or do that wasn’t in your plan—or comfort zone. Do you face a call to action now? What (or who) could God send to you as an encourager?

Celebrate Together

Gather the family for today’s Celebration in our book, The Joy of Advent. Celebrate the Exodus and what it means for our freedom in Christ, explore the Jesse Tree symbol for the Lamb sacrificed, discover the history behind today’s carol, and enjoy a family conversation (or private journaling) about what we can offer as sacrifice.

Today’s Jesse Tree Symbol:
A **door with a red-painted frame** reminds us of the lamb’s blood that saved God’s people.

Inspiration

Jews Crossing the Red Sea

Hans Jordaens III, 1595–1643. Water of judgment and water of salvation in one miraculous event.

Music

Enjoy Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, born to set his people free. [Play Video]

While not a Christmas song, Go Down, Moses powerfully illustrates the need of the people for rescue. [Play Video]

Visit our Joy of Advent YouTube playlist for featured videos, our Ultimate Christmas playlist for all our favorite carols, or our sing-along carols to enjoy karaoke style.

Prayer

Wash away the old leaven that we may be fresh, new dough. For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.  Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with leaven of vice and malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of purity, nobility, honor, sincerity and truth. Amen.

(Adapted from 1 Corinthians 5)

Resources

Host a Christian Passover Seder using this guide.
The animated film, The Prince of Egypt, is incredibly moving and entertaining.
Enjoy printable coloring pages of Passover and Moses's life.
Would you like to make Jesse Tree ornaments to accompany your readings? Find tutorials and ideas from simple to advanced at our Jesse Tree Ornaments Pinterest board.