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Celebrating Advent - December 13

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Sing: What Child Is This?

Reading: Luke 1:39-42
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

Summary (for your preparation): There are some fantastic things that happened in the accounting of Jesus' birth. John the Baptist doing a somersault in the Elizabeth's tummy is no exception. In all reality, it is a little far-fetched that an unborn infant would be able to sense the presence of another unborn infant. We make sense of it as the work of the Holy Spirit. This reaction by the baby John is a way that we see him fulfilling what was prophesied of him in Luke 1:17 (that he would prepare the way for Jesus). It also seems to fulfill what verse 15 says of John, that he would be filled with the Spirit even from his mother's womb. All that to say, God is truly amazing for the ways that he works even in the lives of infants. Jesus is Lord and worthy to be worshipped, even in the womb!

Teaching Tip: Have your children turn to the earlier part of chapter 1 so that they can see how God kept his promises. Your children can also begin to see that our questions (how did John leap in the womb and sense Jesus?) are answered if we carefully observe and remember what God said. We want our children to think about how the Bible applies and answers our questions. This is a great lesson to show them how this happens. 

Questions/Responses:

What happened? Mary and Elizabeth met. Which means Jesus and John were in each other's presence, even though they were in their mommy's tummy. John leaped with excitement at Jesus' presence.

 Does this seem far-fetched? How could a baby in his mother's tummy know that Jesus was near or even know anything about who Jesus was going to be? (Let your children wrestle with this one).

Do you remember what God told us about John? Lets look at verse 15:

for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 

 Do you think the Holy Spirit helped John know that Jesus was near him? Yes!

 Do you remember what God said about John in verse 17? Lets take a look:

"and he [John] will go before him [Jesus] in the spirit and power of Elijah...to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

 Is John already going before Jesus to prepare a way for Jesus? Yes!

 How is John preparing a way for Jesus? He is praising Jesus and getting ready to receive him as his king.

 Is anything too hard for God? Nothing is impossible with God. He always keeps his Word!

Prayer and Ending

Prayer: Father in heaven, you always keep your word and we can always trust you. Nothing is too hard for you and with you, all things are possible. Help us to believe in you with all of our hearts. Help us to see how great you are so that we will rejoice in knowing Jesus, our Savior. Like John, help us by your Spirit to receive Jesus as our king so that we will follow him and only him, this time and forevermore. AMEN!

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