Friday, December 22, 2006

Advent 2006: Week 4

LEFC Family Advent Readings
Advent Week #4: Mary’s Song
“Mindful of His Promises”
Luke 1:46-55
December 24, 2006

“Advent” means “coming.” Christmas is coming. Jesus has come and is coming again. This Advent season, we are preparing our hearts for Christmas and for Jesus by delighting in God through the “Song of Mary” found in the Bible in Luke chapter 1 verses 46 through 55.

[READ LUKE 1:46-55]

On the first Sunday of Advent, we lit a candle [LIGHT FIRST CANDLE] to call us to glorify the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior. The second week, we lit a candle [LIGHT SECOND CANDLE] to remind us to trust in our God who is mighty over all. Last week, we lit a candle [LIGHT THIRD CANDLE] to celebrate God’s mercy to the humble.

[LIGHT FOURTH CANDLE]

This fourth candle calls us to rejoice that God is mindful of His promises.

Mary sang, “God has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”

God always keeps His promises.

He promised a Messiah, and now, the Messiah has come.

Every promise that God has ever made is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

May this candle remind us to trust God to be mindful of His promises.

Amen.

Advent Bible Study for Families

1. Re-read Luke 1:46-55 one more time. Note all of the places where God’s faithfulness to His promises are emphasized. Why do you think Mary sang about this?

2. What were the promises that God made to Abraham and his descendants (see especially Genesis 12:1-3)? How are those promises fulfilled in Jesus’ first coming? What still needs to be fulfilled in His second coming?

3. What are some of the most important promises God has made to you in His Word? Why? (Have each person in the family share.)

4. As a family, sing O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

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