FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION
CRAFT: We will make pine cone Christmas trees. (See the attached sheets.)
SNACK: Is there such a thing as "visit" food. Food one would give to a visitor?
LESSON PLAN: Today is all about Mary and Elizabeth. We need to especially introduce the theme of the birth of Christ as this is our only chance before the Christmas worship.
MEMORY WORK: Luke 1:49 The Mighty One has done great things for me -- Holy is His Name.
We will learn that Mary's understanding of Jesus was confirmed by the words of Elizabeth.
We will understand that the birth of Jesus gives us forgiveness of our sin.
We will thank God that everything was fulfilled in Mary for the birth of our Savior.
Preliminary considerations: Last week the theme was basically John, this week the theme is basically Mary. More than that however is the word of deliverance that Mary speaks. The Introit is looking for our salvation to spring up. The Collect asks that we be speedily delivered from our sin by Jesus, our Savior. The Old Testament Lesson points out that the promised Savior would be born in Bethlehem of Judah. The Gradual is continues as the Palm Sunday event and includes the words of blessing spoken by Mary. The Epistle Lesson makes the connection of our Savior being born into human flesh. The Gospel Lesson is the account of Mary's visit to Elizabeth. If she had any doubt about being the mother of the Savior, they were dispelled.
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Micah 5:2-4
The Holy Spirit inspired the Old Testament prophets to record promises of a Savior. Immediately we begin to think of chariots and prancing horses, of palaces and princes. When we come to Bethlehem we need an interpretation from God. We look at the nativity scene and conclude: looks like a pauper peasant's son to me. Wrong says God, and it is He who tells us what to expect. It won't be pomp and circumstance. The birth of the Savior will be in Bethlehem, the least of the towns of the Kingdom. It won't be done for the majesty of man, but for the majesty of God.
THE EPISTLE LESSON: Hebrews 10:5-10
Christ's sacrifice of Himself on the cross is incarnational. To make that sacrifice, Christ, God, a Spirit, took on a body, a body capable of carrying out God's commandments and capable of experiencing pain and death. This is the aspect of His sacrifice we especially celebrate as we near the Christmas observance. The text shortens the distance between the birth of Christ and His death on the cross. We are reminded that Christ was born as a human being in order to die. Even the word "prepared" connotes the idea that in being given a body Christ was being prepared for His appointed sacrifice.
THE GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 1:39-55
In the text today, Elisabeth certainly feels fortunate. When her relative Mary paid her a visit she exclaimed, "Why have you come to me!" Her question indicates her sense of unworthiness in receiving a visit from the mother of her Lord. It indicates her faith in ascribing to the One still in Mary's womb such a high title, Lord. Then begins Mary's song. She is fortunate; this she knows full well. She can't help singing about it. Yet she doesn't glory in her unworthiness; she glories in God's regard for her.
STUDY SHEET
The pieces of a jigsaw puzzle should all fit together. What happens when the puzzle is together but there is not a whole picture but a hole in the picture. The picture isn't finished but where is the piece? It isn't in the box. It isn't on the floor. How much of a search do we start to find the missing piece of the puzzle.
In a similar manner, the many activities that surround our modern Christmas celebration -- attending concerts, going to parties, buying gifts, writing cards, hanging lights and decorations are not a whole picture of the event of Christmas. If that is all there is then we will see a hole not a whole.
It takes Christ to complete Christmas. It takes knowledge of the wonder of our Savior born into the world to put it all together.
Mary had a whole prophecy, but there was a hole in her realization. It is difficult to say why she went to see Elizabeth, but the upshot is that her understanding of being the mother of Christ was confirmed. The reality of her status was affirmed and made real through the proclamation of Elizabeth..
1. What about the Christmas celebrations seem to rob us of God's reality?
2. What has happened to the celebration of Christmas over the years?
3. How do we bring this holiday back to reality?
4. How does Micah describe the town where the Savior is to be born?
5. What other ruler was born in Bethlehem?
6. Was Mary looking for proof?
7. What is the importance of the greeting given by Elizabeth?
8. Why does Mary make a special point to mention Abraham in her song?
9. According to the Epistle lesson, how did Jesus bring salvation to the world?
10. When did Jesus know what was expected of Him by the Father for the salvation of the world?
11. Why aren't our sacrifices sufficient to take away sin?
12. What made Jesus' sacrifice sufficient?