Bible Study –Fourth Sunday of Advent – Do Not Be Afraid
Share: Your highs (something that made you happy) and lows (something that made you sad) this week with others around you or write them down.
Advent means “coming.” The coming of the baby Jesus, God among us in human flesh. The coming of Christ again "the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. In between those two great comings is God’s constant longing for each of us to come to God, to love God, and to let God love us. "Be alert." Notice. Listen. Watch. For what? For the ways God will choose to get our attention this season. For those moments when we notice that our ways are not in alignment with God’s ways. For those shimmering glimpses of the Kingdom of God.
A message, directly from God, sent by an angel! No wonder the angel had to begin with "Do not be afraid." And for whom is this message? A very young girl, engaged but not yet married. The message: "You are to bear a child, the Son of the Most High." The angel makes a compelling case, the young girl chooses to risk accepting, and God is choosing to come among us as a human being – the word made flesh.
Today is the last Sunday of Advent – the Fourth Sunday of Advent. We have been looking at things to pay attention to, to get ready for, and be mindful of during this season. The message of Advent is to ‘Stay awake!’ Let’s see if we can remember any of the messages – or the messengers – we have read about – talked about – even acted out. If I said ‘Pharisee,’ what would you say? If I said ‘honey and locusts,’ whom would you remember? Do you remember way back to the First Sunday of Advent and what the disciples were worried about and what Jesus told them?"
Opening Prayer: Thank you, God, for people who help keep us aware of your coming into the world. Thank you for the friends of Jesus, John the Baptist, the Pharisees, and Christian friends. We need each other to help keep awake and alert to your presence among us. Amen.
Please open your Bibles to Luke 1:26-38 and read or read the scriptures below.
Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Questions:
- If someone asked you to describe an angel, what would you say?
- Would "scary" be part of your description?
- What did the angel say to Mary, when he noticed that she was pretty scared of him? (Luke 30)
- What other things did the angel say to make Mary feel more confident about saying yes to his strange announcement to her? (Luke 36)
Click here for the young learner’s lesson
Videos (Click on url)
Discover Jesus – An Angel Appears to Mary (Luke 1:26-38): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehiR_FGSsdw
Angel Visits Mary (Luke 1:26-38): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIb8szs0mzA
The Christmas Story from Luke 2:1-20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_olUsOsF3BA
Gospel of Luke Summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIb_dCIxzr0
Song: Away in a Manger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2ULTkNmIEY
Silent Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjCOiH-kbs8 or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5QzkVLcBmU
Activities:
The Advent Wreath: The custom of having an Advent Wreath originated centuries ago in Germany, and today its use has become popular in homes and churches with the observance of Advent. The continuous wreath stands for eternity. The holly with its thorny, prickly leave is regarded as a symbol of the Crowns of thorns and so recalls the Passion of Christ. In this way the Advent Wreath connects the birth and death of Christ. The liturgical color is purple or blue. The four colored candles refer to the four Sundays in Advent. All of the candles refer to the ushering in of the Kingdom through the birth of Christ.
How To: Make Your Own Advent Wreath: https://news.xcp.org/7401/faith-in-action/how-to-make-your-own-advent-wreath/
The first Sunday lit candle represents sorrow, repentance or a plea for pardon. The candle is called the “PEACE candle, a symbol of the preparations made to receive and to cradle the Christ child.
The second Sunday’s candle represents sorrow. The candle is the “HOPE” candle, for it represents the period of waiting that preceded the birth of Christ.
The third Sunday, which is called “Gaudate” is Latin and refers to rejoicing or joy. This candle is the “JOY” candle that speaks of love and the actual coming of Christ. Light the pink candle.
The fourth Sunday is lit representing a humble yearning and anticipation for the coming Savior. It is known as the “LOVE” candle and commemorates the act of sharing the good news of Christ’s coming.
In the center is the white candle known as the “CHRIST” candle. This is lit on Christmas Eve/Day and is a symbol of purity, perfection and joy.
Paper Angels: You will need a glue stick, ribbon or string, wooden bead with a whole, stapler, glue gun, and construction paper, printer paper or water color paper. Cut three 9 inch by 6 inch papers. The direction for making the angel are on the following url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQVvkQdMFjQ
An Angel Visits Mary - Crossword: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/an-angel-visits-mary
An Angel Visits Mary - Word Search: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/an-angel-visits-mary-2
An Angel Visits Mary – Decoder: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/an-angel-visits-mary-1
Visit From An Angel - Cryptogram: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/visit-from-an-angel-1
Visit From An Angel - Multiple Choice: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/visit-from-an-angel-2
Prayer: Thank you for the season of Christmas that so very soon will begin. We look forward to celebrating your birth at Christmas. May our words and actions help to make your presence known in the world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
