Our Advent Soup and Study this year happens each Sunday evening through Advent. We will be working one week ahead, in order to allow Pastor Karen some ideas, stories or additions for each Sunday of Advent, and Christmas Eve.
If you would like to participate in this study, we will meet December 21st at 6:30pm. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall with a light meal (soup and bread), and delve into our study.
The scriptures for Christmas Eve are:
John 1:1-5
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Luke 2:1-14,[15-20]
“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.”
Isaiah 9:2-7 – “2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness,[Greek reads a land where death casts its shadow. Compare Matt 4:16] a light will shine. 3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder….6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor,[ Or Wonderful, Counselor] Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
Psalm 96 – “1 Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! 2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. 3 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. 4 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. 5 The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! 6 Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary. 7 O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. 8 Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts. 9 Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. 10 Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly. 11 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! 12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy 13 before the Lord, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.
Titus 2:11-14 – “11For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.”
Themes
Humility of Jesus' Birth,
Joy of Good News,
Peace on Earth,
Importance of Witnessing,
Fulfillment of Prophecy,
significance of Jesus' humble arrival,
& the transformative impact of His message
Discussion Questions
Who is “Caesar Augustus” and why did he order people to be “registered”?
The census of 8 BC covered just the Roman Empire, so why does Luke 2:1 say that Caesar Augustus ordered “all the world” to be registered?
When was Jesus born? How does Luke 2:2 relate to when Jesus was born?
What is the controversy? What is the answer?
Who was Quirinius and why would Quirinius lead military campaigns in Cilicia from Syria?
What is meant by Joseph and Mary being “betrothed” (Luke 2:5)?
How far did Joseph and Mary travel?
Why is Bethlehem called “the town of David” (Luke 2:4)?
Where are “Galilee” and “Nazareth” (Luke 2:4)?
Where was the “guest room” (Luke 2:7) that had no space for them?
Did Mary give birth immediately after arriving in Bethlehem?
What are “swaddling clothes” and “manger” (Luke 2:7)?
What does Mary giving birth to her “firstborn” (Luke 2:7) Son indicate?
Where were the shepherds? Why is that significant?
Why does the world celebrate Christmas on December 25th?
Does paganism still affect how the world celebrates Jesus’ birth?
What was the angel doing above? Why make this introduction to shepherds?
Does the angel introduce Jesus as the “Lamb of God”? What do those words mean?
Do you unconditionally obey the Lord?
What is meant by “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14)?
What did the angels express after giving glory to God?
Why would they express that toward men on earth?
What did the shepherds do upon being told about Jesus?
What did they do next? How did the hearers react?
What are at least some of them likely to have done next?
Mission accomplished, did the shepherds congratulate themselves?
Does what the shepherd did above differ from what people should do today upon being told about Jesus?
Closing Prayer
