December 24, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent 2 Sam. 7:1 11, 16 Luke 1:46b 55 Rom. 16:25 27 Luke 1:26 38 God s Messengers Goal for the Session Third- and fourth-graders will discover, with Mary, what it means to be instruments and messengers of God s birthing presence in the world. n PREPARING FOR THE SESSION Focus on Luke 1:26 38 WHAT is important to know? From Exegetical Perspective, Lewis R. Donelson In many ways, the angel Gabriel s announcement to Mary of the coming miraculous birth of Jesus reads almost exactly like the announcements of the wondrous births of Ishmael (Genesis 16:7 13), Isaac (Genesis 17:1 21; 18:1 15), Samson (Judges 13:3 20), and most obviously John the Baptist (Luke 1:8 20). This announcement is, of course, the second announcement of miraculous birth in the Gospel of Luke. Gabriel appears not only to Mary but, in 1:8 20, to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. Thus, this passage is part of Luke s careful interweaving of John the Baptist and Jesus, in which John serves largely in the role of Elijah preparing for the day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5). Luke emphasizes John s special calling and high status, while carefully elevating Jesus above John. WHERE is God in these words? From Theological Perspective, Cynthia L. Rigby Mary has the reputation of being in perfect sync with God, responding to God s command in absolute obedience. She is the blessed one who is called by God to bear the Christ child, the servant of the Lord who desires that God s will come to fruition, even in and through her. Mary recognizes what all Christian believers must recognize that we, creatures before the Creator God, are incapable, in and of ourselves, of accomplishing God s will, but we can be instruments of God s will. SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? From Pastoral Perspective, Ashley Cook Cleere Mary s puzzlement grants permission to take time to adjust to astonishing news, to question whether or not trials and tragedies, or God s magnificent promises, are for real, and to contemplate potential repercussions. The query How can this be? is a reverberating refrain that shapes our faith by reminding us how much is hidden from us. The exclamation of these four words may well signify the nearness of God. Perhaps Mary s words deliver God s Christmas wish, that followers of Christ will believe that nothing is impossible with God, and invite the Holy Spirit to work through them to attain miracles. NOW WHAT is God s word calling us to do? From Homiletical Perspective, Kimberly Bracken Long God s coming reign of justice and favor for all people is embodied in God s choosing to pour out the divine Spirit upon Mary, even within her, to bring about salvation for the whole world. That s the sort of good news that we can hardly conjure up on our own. Dare we proclaim that God breaks in, to restore, reveal, and redeem the mess we have made of the world? Dare we proclaim that God s gospel of justice and peace may turn our world upside down and that this news is very, very good? 2017 Westminster John Knox Press Grades 3 4 1
God s Messengers FOCUS SCRIPTURE Luke 1:26 38 Focus on Your Teaching Children like to be chosen! They delight in being trusted to deliver a message for an authority figure or to do a special task. They are showing signs of being more independent and responsible, and less egocentric and more able to reach out to others. Your learners will wonder about how important Mary must have felt in being chosen to be Jesus mother. As you explore the story, help them think concretely about how they, too, can be messengers of God s love in the world. YOU WILL NEED visitor (see Gathering) blue or purple fabric 4 battery-powered votive candles Singing the Feast, 2017 2018; CD player Color Pack 1, 8, 9, 27, 28 Bibles Resource Sheet 1 For Responding option 1: variety of wire or pipe cleaners, beads, wire cutters, pliers, copies of Resource Sheet 2, Color Pack 8, 9 option 2: construction paper, scissors, envelopes, markers option 3: items for serving project Gracious God, you have called me to bring the good news of your presence in Jesus Christ. Help me be an instrument of your peace, grace, and love to all I encounter this day. Amen. n LEADING THE SESSION GATHERING Before the session, ask an adult to come and interrupt your session as you are beginning the discussion during Gathering. This person will announce that the group has been chosen to do something for the church. Decide ahead of time what this task might be. The task needs to be something the children are not prepared for or think they can t do, but also something they can do with some help and encouragement, such as lead a prayer during worship, repair something, or serve coffee. As the children arrive, invite them to help you arrange blue or purple fabric on a table in your meeting space, using the same color that your church uses in worship during Advent. Put Color Pack 1 on the fabric and place four battery-powered votive candles along the road. Gather the group around the candles and say that today is the fourth Sunday of Advent, the last Sunday before Christmas. Light three candles, saying: The first three candles are for hope, peace, and joy. Light the fourth candle, saying: This fourth candle is for love; it reminds us that God loves us and sent Jesus to live on earth. Tomorrow is Christmas Day, the day we celebrate Jesus birth. Sing all verses of God, We Sing (Color Pack 27; track 8 on Singing the Feast, 2017 2018). Pray aloud: Gracious God, thank you for your steadfast love for all people and for sending Jesus Christ. As we study your Word today, help us learn to love others the way you love us. Amen. Ask the following questions to initiate discussion as you wait for your visitor to arrive: P How do you know when someone wants you do to something? 2017 Westminster John Knox Press Grades 3 4 2
God s Messengers God, We Sing 1. God, we sing with praise Light the flame of hope anew; Light this candle, light the way, Bring hope into our hearts today. Jesus, near us as we pray, Let hope be in our hearts today. 2. God, we sing with praise Light the flame of peace anew;... 3. God, we sing with praise Light the flame of love anew;... 4. God, we sing with praise Light the flame of joy anew;... 5. God, we sing with praise Light the flame of Christ anew; Light this candle, light the way, We celebrate new life today. Christ, be near us as we pray And celebrate new life today. Ask worship planners if your group might offer their freeze-frame story during worship. P When have you been asked to do something you thought you couldn t do? P Were you able to do it? After your visitor has left, invite the group to react to what just happened: P What are you being asked to do? P How do you feel about doing this? Do you think you can do it? Tell learners to think about the task, and that you will return to it later in the session. EXPLORING Tell learners that you are going to read a Bible story about someone who got a very important message. Give each child a Bible. Work together to find Luke 1:26 38. Read the text aloud in sections as noted below, pausing for discussion after each section. Read Luke 1:26 29: P What does a messenger do? P Who delivered the message to Mary? Whose message was Gabriel delivering? P How did Mary feel about Gabriel and his greeting to her? Read Luke 1:30 33: P In your own words, what was God s plan for Mary? P What was Mary s first response to the message? P How did Gabriel try to reassure Mary? Read Luke 1:34 38. P What is Mary s first response to God s plan for her? P What does Gabriel mean when he says, Nothing will be impossible with God? P What is Mary s final response to God s plan for her? P Does Mary s final response surprise you? Why or why not? Follow the directions on Resource Sheet 1 (Freeze-Frame Story) to guide learners in presenting a drama based on Luke 1:26 38. Show Color Pack 8 and 9. Tell learners these are two artists ideas of the time that Gabriel came to Mary. For each of the pictures, ask: P What do you see in the painting? What surprises you in this painting? P How does the story according to the artist compare with the story in the Bible? Sum up Exploring by commenting that the angel Gabriel brought Mary the news that she would give birth to Jesus, God s Son. Both Mary and the angel were messengers of God s good news for the world. Ask: P What message about God s Son, Jesus, can we deliver to people on Christmas? How might we do this? 2017 Westminster John Knox Press Grades 3 4 3
God s Messengers Search the Internet for more information about making wire sculptures with children. Go, Tell It on the Mountain EASY PREP Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born. While shepherds kept their watching Over silent flocks by night Behold throughout the heavens There shone a holy light. Refrain The shepherds feared and trembled, When lo! above the earth, Rang out the angel chorus That hailed the Savior s birth. Refrain Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born And God sent us salvation That blessèd Christmas morn. RESPONDING Mark the activities you will use: 1. Wire Sculpture Remind learners that angels like Gabriel are messengers from God. Show Color Pack 8 and 9. Look at the two artistic depictions of the angel Gabriel. Ask learners to compare them. Distribute copies of Resource Sheet 2 (Angel Wire Sculpture). Read through the directions and provide materials for each learner to use to create a sculpture of an angel. You can use plastic-wrapped telephone wire, florist s wire, beading wire, or any easily bendable and inexpensive wire. Pipe cleaners can be used instead of wire. Cut the wire into 12-inch pieces. Provide beads that learners can add to the wire. Give each learner a piece of wire to practice bending before they make an angel, so they can become accustomed to using it. They can also use their angel sculptures as Christmas tree ornaments. When the children see them on the tree, they will be reminded that they also are messengers of God s good news. 2. Christmas Cards To reinforce the learning that God s presence in the world is born in Jesus, make greeting cards for people in the church or the wider community who may not otherwise receive Christmas cards. Brainstorm ideas for messages that announce God s presence being born into the world, such as: Fear not, God s love comes to you in Jesus! or God s love is born for you at Christmas! Cut construction paper so it will fit your envelopes when folded. Use markers to draw pictures of Gabriel s visit to Mary on the cards and write one of the messages inside. Arrange to mail or deliver the cards. 3. Accepting the Task To consider more deeply what it means to be chosen for a task, recall what the group was asked to do during Gathering. Discuss ways the group might complete this task. Talk about what needs to be done and who will take responsibility for doing these things. Find a way to announce to the church you have been chosen for this task and have accepted the challenge. Then carry through on your action plan, discussing how this will help you tell others of God s presence in your midst. CLOSING Gather around the Advent candles, and light all of them, if necessary. Invite learners to tell how their families will celebrate Christmas. Sing Go, Tell It on the Mountain (Color Pack 28; track 7 on Singing the Feast, 2017 2018). Pray aloud: Amazing God, shine your light on us and help us to welcome your Son, Jesus, with hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen. Offer a blessing to each learner as he or she leaves: (Name), God bless you as you tell others about the God s great love for us. Refrain 2017 Westminster John Knox Press Grades (K)1 2 4
December 24, 2017 God s Messengers Grades 3 4 Resource Sheet 1 Freeze-Frame Story Instructions for the teacher: A freeze frame illustrates what is going on in a story without using actions or sound. It is like making a picture by freezing a pose from a certain part of a story. Cut apart the story strips below. Have the learners form pairs and divide the strips among the pairs. Tell the pairs to read their story segment(s) and then plan how to portray what is happening without using actions or words. After the pairs have prepared, read the story aloud, pausing after each segment for the freeze frame. 1. God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee with a message for a virgin named Mary.... The angel greeted Mary and said, You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you. (Luke 1:26 28) 2. Mary was confused by the angel s words and wondered what they meant. (Luke 1:29) 3. Then the angel told Mary, Don t be afraid! God is pleased with you. (Luke 1:30) 4. You will have a son. His name will be Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end. (Luke 1:31 33) 5. Mary asked the angel, How can this happen? I am not married! (Luke 1:34) 6. The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come down and God s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God.... Nothing is impossible for God! (Luke 1:35, 37) 7. Mary said, I am the Lord s servant! Let it happen as you have said. And the angel left her. (Luke 1:38) 2017 Westminster John Knox Press
December 24, 2017 God s Messengers Grades 3 4 Resource Sheet 2 Angel Wire Sculpture Wonder: God s angel Gabriel came to Mary to tell her she had been chosen to be Jesus mother. What if Gabriel came to you and told you that you were chosen to bring a message of God s good news to others? What do you think Gabriel might look like? Create: Make a wire sculpture of the angel Gabriel, following the instructions below. Use your imagination to create your idea of the angel Gabriel. Remember: God calls you to bring a message of God s love into the world. How will you respond? Instructions You will need: wire or pipe cleaners, wire cutters, small pliers, beads 1. Be careful! Wire can hurt if it pokes you or someone else. 2. Practice with a piece of wire, bending it into different shapes. 3. Bend a 12-inch piece of wire into the shape for the main part of your sculpture the body of the angel. 4. Bend other pieces of wire to form other parts of the angel. You may want to use different kinds and colors of wire in your sculpture. If desired, thread beads on any of the sculpture wires before attaching and tightening the wires. 5. To attach pieces, wrap the end of one piece of wire around the other piece of wire. You can use pliers to bend the wire tight. Make sure the ends of the wire are not sticking out. 6. Plan to stand your angel in a place in your home or hang it on your Christmas tree. 2017 Westminster John Knox Press