Lesson/Family Home Evening: Advent 4 (Love)

Opening Check-Ins

We support each other no matter what.  Invite everyone to share something that made them happy and/or something that made them sad this past week.  We are here to support each other in prayer and presence.

Centering in Silence and Song

If you have a household altar, I recommend using it.  If not, a sense of ritual and sacred time can be initiated by lighting a candle and ringing a bell (three times is usually a good way to help everyone settle into silence). Share a few minutes of silence together. You may sound the bell again when silence is over.  Children often enjoy the responsibility of these tasks (and should be supervised and assisted as appropriate).

Prayer of Jesus

If you have a particular version of the prayer that you use, you are encouraged to use it.

This is the "children's translation" that I wrote and use with my students:
God all around us with many sacred names
We roll up our sleeves to create a beautiful world with you
Please care for us and our needs and forgive us when we don’t do our best
Please help us to be forgiving of others, too.
Help us to be good, loving, and safe so we can help create a loving and safe world for everyone.
Amen.

Sacred Story

Background:

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Last week we talked about joy. This week, the last Sunday in Advent, we talk about love.

Our story today is from the Gospel of Matthew. How many gospels are in the Bible? Four. The gospels tell the stories about Jesus, mostly, but this story starts before Jesus is born. Let’s read it together.

Bible Story:

Story:  Read together Matthew 1:18-25

This story tells us that Mary got pregnant before she and Joseph were married. Today when someone gets pregnant, maybe they will set up a nursery for the baby. Maybe they will have a baby shower. But Mary isn’t quite ready! She doesn’t feel like she’s set up for a baby yet, but she knows that the baby will be special and that they will have a special journey together. She knows that love is the most important thing.

Today we’re going to read a story about how baby Jesus was born, but it’s a little bit different. Let’s read it together.

Story:  Read together “Home By Another Way: A Christmas Story” by Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor

Conversation:

What do you think the journey was like?

When the wise men started their journey, they thought they were going to see the king. They DID go see the king, but it wasn’t what they expected, right?

Then they went and saw baby Jesus and that wasn’t really what they expected either, right?

We never really know what to expect when a baby is born. We never really know what to expect for Christmas. But the most important thing is love, right? The wise men brought gifts for baby Jesus that the stinky king in Jerusalem probably would have liked more, right? But Mary and Joseph were grateful because they know it’s the thought that counts and the love that counts. Jesus is the most precious Christmas gift, not the gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Today our craft celebrates love and family-- the most important things about Christmas.

Story:  Read together “Love is People” (p. 124-125) in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mr. Rogers

Craft:  

CO-CREATING: Nativity Heart Ornaments
materials

1. String
2. Heart-shaped box
3. Nativity stickers

craft

We will make ornaments with the holy family in the shape of a heart.

Closing Prayer

“Dear God, thank you for the season of Advent.  Thank you for teaching us about love.
Thank you for giving us people and animals who love us and whom we love. 
We ask for your help to show our love to others and to help you create a more loving world.
Amen.”

Curriculum texts used:  

• A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood:  The Poetry of Mr. Rogers
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Special Texts used:

• "Home By Another Way:  A Christmas Story" by Barbara Brown Taylor