Advent is a season intended to help us prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus. The word advent comes from the Latin word 'advenire', which means coming or arriving. As we see from Mary’s story, just as a baby grows in the mother’s womb, God’s plan and purposes for the world need time for fulfillment. It is also true for our own stories to unfold.
Luke is a masterful storyteller and he includes many touching dramatic stories filled with interesting characters to keep us engaged with the way God enters the world in Jesus.
Matthew tells us who Jesus is and how he is the fulfillment of old testament prophecies of the Messiah, the One who will deliver God’s people. In addition to highlighting how Jesus is Messiah, Matthew helps us see more practically how Joseph was able to overcome his doubts about Mary and her pregnancy. We can learn from him how to listen for God’s guidance in difficult situations on our way to living the Nativity.
Children & Family Activity: Pick up supplies on Sunday morning at Holy Covenant UMC to create Joseph and the manger. You could also create animals this week such as donkeys and sheep. Tell the story of Joseph the Carpenter. Talk about what a good and compassionate man he was. I'm finding that creating a "Living the Nativity" Set is enhancing my devotional journey. So I created a video with a few tips and pointers if you are having a hard time getting started on yours! If the video doesn't show up on your device, take this link to view the video on YouTube.
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