DAY 21
MARY & JOSEPH
You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must name him Jesus.
-Luke 1:31
PAUSE
The promise of God to His people was about to be fulfilled. How would God come to His people? God chose to bring Himself down to Earth and be born as a small, helpless baby. When no one was looking, He came. A young girl named Mary was engaged to marry a man named Joseph. Joseph was one of King David’s descendants. One day, while Mary was at home, the angel Gabriel appeared. Gabriel said, “Do not be afraid! God is very pleased with you. I have some wonderful news. Mary, you are going to have a baby. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. Just as God promised long ago, He will be a king like David and His kingdom will never end. He’s the One you have been waiting for! He’s the one to save God’s people from their sins. You must call him Jesus.” The news was hard for Mary to believe. But Mary trusted God and wanted to do whatever God wanted her to do.
Just as the angel said, a baby began growing in Mary’s belly. Sometime after, an angel appeared to Joseph while he was sleeping. The angel said, “Joseph, take good care of Mary. She will give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be from the lineage of King David. He will save his people from their sins.” Joseph woke up from his dream and he was filled with wonder. He might have known about the promises of God, but never dreamed he would be the earthly father of God’s Son! “The child will be called Immanuel, which means ‘God with us.’ He will be the one to give us a new, clean heart. He is the one to make a way to God, so we can be close to Him.” The first Christmas Day was coming soon. The day Jesus Christ would be born. The little baby who would grow into a man and lead us to God, the Father, who loves us so much!
DISCUSSION
What significance do you see in the fact that the God of the universe was born into His creation as a baby to a poor family? Though Mary and Joseph knew that Mary’s pregnancy was miraculous, others assumed that something promiscuous had taken place. What do you think their experience might have been like? Why do you think they were willing to endure this embarrassment? Are we willing to endure embarrassment for God’s sake?
PRAY
God, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to the earth in the form of a baby, who grew up and showed me how to have life forever by believing in Him. Thank you for loving me that much!
ACTIVITY
Advent tree & ornaments - If you don’t already have an ornament for today, craft or find one that corresponds with today’s content - Mary & Joseph. Then hang your twenty-first ornament on the tree.
Family Memories - Make an angel ornament. You can do an angel cookie shape or you can craft it with construction paper and ribbon. Hang them on your advent tree to remind you of the angel Gabriel who appeared to Mary to tell her about the new baby Jesus. Take a photo or video of your family activity or putting your 21st ornament on your Advent tree. Post your pictures or videos to the Facebook group or tag @summitparkchurch!
You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must name him Jesus.
-Luke 1:31
PAUSE
The promise of God to His people was about to be fulfilled. How would God come to His people? God chose to bring Himself down to Earth and be born as a small, helpless baby. When no one was looking, He came. A young girl named Mary was engaged to marry a man named Joseph. Joseph was one of King David’s descendants. One day, while Mary was at home, the angel Gabriel appeared. Gabriel said, “Do not be afraid! God is very pleased with you. I have some wonderful news. Mary, you are going to have a baby. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. Just as God promised long ago, He will be a king like David and His kingdom will never end. He’s the One you have been waiting for! He’s the one to save God’s people from their sins. You must call him Jesus.” The news was hard for Mary to believe. But Mary trusted God and wanted to do whatever God wanted her to do.
Just as the angel said, a baby began growing in Mary’s belly. Sometime after, an angel appeared to Joseph while he was sleeping. The angel said, “Joseph, take good care of Mary. She will give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be from the lineage of King David. He will save his people from their sins.” Joseph woke up from his dream and he was filled with wonder. He might have known about the promises of God, but never dreamed he would be the earthly father of God’s Son! “The child will be called Immanuel, which means ‘God with us.’ He will be the one to give us a new, clean heart. He is the one to make a way to God, so we can be close to Him.” The first Christmas Day was coming soon. The day Jesus Christ would be born. The little baby who would grow into a man and lead us to God, the Father, who loves us so much!
DISCUSSION
What significance do you see in the fact that the God of the universe was born into His creation as a baby to a poor family? Though Mary and Joseph knew that Mary’s pregnancy was miraculous, others assumed that something promiscuous had taken place. What do you think their experience might have been like? Why do you think they were willing to endure this embarrassment? Are we willing to endure embarrassment for God’s sake?
PRAY
God, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to the earth in the form of a baby, who grew up and showed me how to have life forever by believing in Him. Thank you for loving me that much!
ACTIVITY
Advent tree & ornaments - If you don’t already have an ornament for today, craft or find one that corresponds with today’s content - Mary & Joseph. Then hang your twenty-first ornament on the tree.
Family Memories - Make an angel ornament. You can do an angel cookie shape or you can craft it with construction paper and ribbon. Hang them on your advent tree to remind you of the angel Gabriel who appeared to Mary to tell her about the new baby Jesus. Take a photo or video of your family activity or putting your 21st ornament on your Advent tree. Post your pictures or videos to the Facebook group or tag @summitparkchurch!