Advent Family Worship - Day 1

Begin by singing a favorite Christmas song

Explain the Advent wreath. Our themes this year will be: FAITH (wk 1); JOY (wk 2); LOVE (wk 3); HOPE (wk 4). But the over-arching theme is the kingdom of God. Talk about God’s kingdom. The baby born to Mary was to receive “the throne of his father David” so that “of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:33).

Light the first Advent candle and ask, “What was our theme from last week?” The answer is faith.

Light the second Advent candle and ask, “What is our theme this week?” The answer is joy.

Read the story of Mary and the angel in Luke 1:26-38. Make sure to explain how Mary having a child was a supernatural thing. It was an act of God’s power (cf. Luke 1:30). Have the children draw a picture of the scene as you have a discussion about it using the following questions:

[26] In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” [29] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. [30] And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. [32] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, [33] and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” [34] And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” [35] And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. [36] And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. [37] For nothing will be impossible with God.” [38] And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

(Luke 1:26-38 ESV)

• Q. How does Mary respond to the angel at first? (Hint: Luke 1:29 and 1:34)
• Q. Why do you think Mary is afraid at first? What does she stand to lose by going forward with God’s plan? What will the cost of her obedience be?
• Q. Mary’s response was similar to Zechariah’s response in Luke 1:18, but it is treated very differently be the angel. Zechariah was punished for his unbelief, but Mary is not. So how is Mary’s question different than Zechariah’s?
• Q. Pay careful attention to Luke 1:37. Is it true that NOTHING is impossible with God?

Stop and pray, ADORING God for his power and CONFESSING how you fail to believe that “nothing will be impossible with God.”

• Q. Mary’s response to the angel is, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). How committed to obedience is Mary? Where do you need God to work in your life to produce the same commitment to obedience that we see here in Mary?

Stop and pray, ASKING God to make you obedient like Mary.

Finish by singing “O Come All Ye Faithful”