2010 Advent Week #3

LEFC Family Advent Readings
Advent Week #3: “I Will Take Care of You”
O Little Town of Bethlehem - Micah 5:2-5
December 12, 2010

“Advent” means “coming.”  Christmas is coming.  Jesus has come and is coming again.

This Advent season, we are hearing about God’s promises of a Savior to come that God  gave through the prophet Micah.

God had a message for Bethlehem.  [Read Micah 5:2-5]

Our first candle was a candle of surprise.  God loves to do the unexpected.

[LIGHT CANDLE #1 AGAIN]

Our second candle was a candle of promise.  In having Jesus born in Bethlehem, God was faithfully keeping an ancient promise.

[LIGHT CANDLE #2 AGAIN]
           
Our third candle will be a candle of care.  God promised that the Messiah would care for His people.  [LIGHT CANDLE #3]

“He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and there is no safer place to be than in His flock.

There is no stronger name than the name of the LORD.

We know that we are totally secure in Jesus Christ. O Little Town of Bethlehem: “I Will Take Care of You”


Advent Bible Study for Families


1. As a family, read Micah 5:2-5.  Re-read verse 4.  Make a list of all of the phrases that emphasize the Messiah’s care for His people.
                   

2.  Why does God call the Messiah a shepherd?  How are we like sheep?  How is Jesus like a Shepherd to us?  How strong is Jesus’ shepherding according to verse 4?


3.  Go around the family circle talking more about Jesus’ care for you.  What are specific ways that the Lord is caring for our family right now?  What prayer requests does our family have right now that we can ask the Lord to care for?  Pray for them together.


4. Learn the song this month.  As a family, sing O Little Town of Bethlehem.

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth
 
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel