2010 Advent Week #2

LEFC Family Advent Readings
Advent Week #2: “I Will Keep My Promises to You”
O Little Town of Bethlehem  - Micah 5:2-5
December 5, 2010
“Advent” means “coming.”  Christmas is coming.  Jesus has come and is coming again.

This Advent season, we are reminded of God’s promises of a coming Savior which He gave in the book of Micah chapter 5, verses 2 through 5.

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

[LIGHT CANDLE #1 AGAIN]

Our first candle reminds us that Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem was a big surprise.  God loves to surprise His people.

[LIGHT CANDLE #2]

Our second candle is a candle of promise.

God said through Micah that the Messiah would have “origins of old, from ancient times.”

In sending Jesus, God would be keeping an ancient promise.

God always keeps His promises, but sometimes He takes a very long time to do it.

700 years passed between this prophecy and the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

But God kept His promise!

And He always will.


O Little Town of Bethlehem: “I Will Keep My Promises to You”
Advent Bible Study for Families
1. As a family, read Micah 5:2-5 again.  What do you think the phrase, “whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” means?


2.  Even though Bethlehem was small and unlikely, Jesus wasn’t the first king to be born there.  What other great king came from Bethlehem?  What are some of the ancient promises that Jesus fulfilled? [Optional: Read 2 Samuel 7 and discuss how Jesus fulfills the promises God made to David there.]




4.  Why is it sometimes hard to wait for God to keep His promises?  How can we grow in patience as a family?




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