Week 2 - Christmas
Luke 2:1-20
The Birth of Jesus
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
The Birth of Jesus
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Monday
_Enter the Bible
The site was created by Luther Seminary to provide an opportunity for anyone to explore the Word more deeply. Enter the Bible provides a look at the different times of the Bible, as well as extra resources such as videos, maps, etc.
Each week, you will have a chance to use this resource and read more about the books and verses of the Bible we are looking at. To help with this, there are a series of questions that you will use the Enter the Bible site to answer. This also gives a chance for parents to be involved- asking them questions and/or inviting them to join in the search for the answers.
This week, we are focusing on the Gospel of Luke
Step 1 - Go to enterthebible.org
Step 2 - Click on the link to the Gospel of Luke
Step 3 - Explore the material available to answer the questions below.
Where is Luke in the Bible?
Who wrote it?
What is it about?
What are the verses you read trying to say? (Luke 2:1-20)
What are three things that have helped you better understand the verses?
How can you take what you have learned, and apply it to your own life?
The site was created by Luther Seminary to provide an opportunity for anyone to explore the Word more deeply. Enter the Bible provides a look at the different times of the Bible, as well as extra resources such as videos, maps, etc.
Each week, you will have a chance to use this resource and read more about the books and verses of the Bible we are looking at. To help with this, there are a series of questions that you will use the Enter the Bible site to answer. This also gives a chance for parents to be involved- asking them questions and/or inviting them to join in the search for the answers.
This week, we are focusing on the Gospel of Luke
Step 1 - Go to enterthebible.org
Step 2 - Click on the link to the Gospel of Luke
Step 3 - Explore the material available to answer the questions below.
Where is Luke in the Bible?
Who wrote it?
What is it about?
What are the verses you read trying to say? (Luke 2:1-20)
What are three things that have helped you better understand the verses?
How can you take what you have learned, and apply it to your own life?
Tuesday
What is the real meaning of Christmas? Watch the video to learn more.
Food For Thought
When we listen to the story of Jesus’ birth we are actually hearing a story of God’s promise to bless us with peace and light through Jesus presence with us! At the end of the video the little girl talks about how we can share that with the everyone in the world!
“....pretty soon, everyone in the whole wide world would be part of Jesus’s birthday, and all their light would make the whole world light up! The whole world! Just like, just like a giant birthday cake!”
That light that she’s talking about comes from Jesus’s love for us! And it’s easy to share. So, during the Christmas season we are reminded by the light of the star over Bethlehem that Jesus is the light of the world.
When we listen to the story of Jesus’ birth we are actually hearing a story of God’s promise to bless us with peace and light through Jesus presence with us! At the end of the video the little girl talks about how we can share that with the everyone in the world!
“....pretty soon, everyone in the whole wide world would be part of Jesus’s birthday, and all their light would make the whole world light up! The whole world! Just like, just like a giant birthday cake!”
That light that she’s talking about comes from Jesus’s love for us! And it’s easy to share. So, during the Christmas season we are reminded by the light of the star over Bethlehem that Jesus is the light of the world.
Wednesday
Praying in Color
Praying in color is a wonderful opportunity to speak with God that was introduced by Sybil Macbeth. In her book, she explained a time in her life where she felt unable to focus on the prayers she had for herself and others and so began writing names and doodling around them. She then found, after her 'doodle' was finished, that she had been praying throughout the doodles. If you are interested in learning more, check out her website here or purchase the book, Praying in Color by Sybil Macbeth. Another site for some wonderful examples and ideas is the Praying in Color blog.
Each week, there will be a day to explore a unique way of praying that also incorporates either the key verse from the day or simply from the Bible passage. An example will be provided to give you a visual idea (see below). If you want to send in a copy of your Praying in Color picture, you can email it to [email protected] or mail it to:
Luther Point Bible Camp
Attn: Praying in Color
11525 Luther Point Road
Grantsburg, WI 54840
These will be used throughout the summer months as a chance for campers to see their own work as well as others.
Step 1 - Today you can take a few words from the verses that we read and allow them to sit in your mind.
Step 2 - Think about different definitions for words, how different phrases can fit together, or questions that you have about them and write them down, filling space around each word or phrase as you converse with God.
Praying in color is a wonderful opportunity to speak with God that was introduced by Sybil Macbeth. In her book, she explained a time in her life where she felt unable to focus on the prayers she had for herself and others and so began writing names and doodling around them. She then found, after her 'doodle' was finished, that she had been praying throughout the doodles. If you are interested in learning more, check out her website here or purchase the book, Praying in Color by Sybil Macbeth. Another site for some wonderful examples and ideas is the Praying in Color blog.
Each week, there will be a day to explore a unique way of praying that also incorporates either the key verse from the day or simply from the Bible passage. An example will be provided to give you a visual idea (see below). If you want to send in a copy of your Praying in Color picture, you can email it to [email protected] or mail it to:
Luther Point Bible Camp
Attn: Praying in Color
11525 Luther Point Road
Grantsburg, WI 54840
These will be used throughout the summer months as a chance for campers to see their own work as well as others.
Step 1 - Today you can take a few words from the verses that we read and allow them to sit in your mind.
Step 2 - Think about different definitions for words, how different phrases can fit together, or questions that you have about them and write them down, filling space around each word or phrase as you converse with God.
Thursday
Wind Chimes
What You Need: Paper cup/plastic lid String/ribbon Beads/bells/seashells/etc Pipe cleaner Metal washer Scissors Hole-punch |
Directions 1.Punch evenly-spaced holes in cup/lid, through which string will be tied. 2. (optional) Decorate cup/lid. 3.Cut equal lengths of string, about 12 inches, one string for each hole. 4.Attach bells/beads/etc to strings. 5.Tie strings to cup/lid base. 6. Make a pendulum. Make a loop on one end of the pipe cleaner. Cut a 14 inch length of string and tie it to the looped end of the pipe cleaner. Tie metal washer to opposite end of string. 7.Make a hole at the center of your cup/lid base and insert end of the pipe cleaner through the hole. The loop will serve as a stopper. 8. Check the length of the pendulum, so that it will hang at the same level as the bottom of the other chime strings. 9.Loop the pipe cleaner on top of the base to make the handle/hanger. 10. Hang finished wind chime where it can catch a soft breeze. As we cannot help but worship God when He works in our lives, the wind chime will make music as the wind blows it. |
Friday
Service Project
Spring Cleaning
Giving up the clutter in your life can be an act of worship! Clean out unneeded items to donate to a Habitat Restore in local area. This helps to build homes for neighbors in need, as well as furnish those homes.
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization. They are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. This ministry was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent place to live in dignity and safety.
A ReStore near you:
Spring Cleaning
Giving up the clutter in your life can be an act of worship! Clean out unneeded items to donate to a Habitat Restore in local area. This helps to build homes for neighbors in need, as well as furnish those homes.
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization. They are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. This ministry was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent place to live in dignity and safety.
A ReStore near you:
Cameron
Barron County HFH ReStore _______________________________________ Hayward Sawyer County ReStore, HFH of _______________________________________ New Richmond St. Croix Valley HFH ReStore __________________________________ Saint Croix Falls Wild River HFH ReStore __________________________________ New Brighton Twin Cities HFH ReStore |
309 N 1st St
Cameron, WI 54822 _______________________________________ PO Box 13047 Hayward, WI 54843 _______________________________________ 901B N Knowles Ave New Richmond, WI 54017 _______________________________________ 2201 US Highway 8 Saint Croix Falls, WI 54024 _______________________________________ 510 W CR D New Brighton, MN 55112 |
Phone: (715) 458-4222
[email protected] _______________________________________ Phone: (715) 634-7787 [email protected] __________________________________ Phone: (715) 246-4441 [email protected] __________________________________ Phone: (715) 483-2700 [email protected] __________________________________ Phone: (612) 588-3820 Fax: (612) 588-3824 [email protected] |