Preparing To Rejoice In Him // December 8, 2019

The Second Sunday in Advent

Check out this great Advent resource from the Village Church. We pray this guide will help you walk through this season intentionally with your family and friends.

REFLECTION

This coming Lord’s Day will be the second Sunday in Advent. As the expectation and anticipation of Advent builds, each Sunday we will light candles and read scripture that lead us to the commemoration of that glorious, and even scandalous, event wherein our Redeemer left His heavenly throne and all that was His.

 

SECOND CANDLE OF ADVENT: THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE

The second candle we light is called the “Bethlehem Candle” or “The Candle of Preparation”. It symbolizes God keeping his promise to send a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. Preparation means to “get ready”.  Help us to be ready to welcome you, O God!

Matthew 2:1-6 tells us: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

 

WORSHIP THROUGH SONG: Hark the Herald Angles Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’ angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!
//
Christ, by highest heaven adored:
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favoured one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th’incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!
//
Hail! the heaven-born
Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the son of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King !”

 

 

GOD’S WORD PREACHED: Luke 1:34-56 (ESV)

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” 

46 And Mary said: 

         “My soul glorifies the Lord 

         47      and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 

         48      for he has been mindful 

         of the humble state of his servant. 

         From now on all generations will call me blessed, 

         49      for the Mighty One has done great things for me— 

         holy is his name. 

         50      His mercy extends to those who fear him, 

         from generation to generation. 

         51      He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; 

         he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 

         52      He has brought down rulers from their thrones 

         but has lifted up the humble. 

         53      He has filled the hungry with good things 

         but has sent the rich away empty. 

         54      He has helped his servant Israel, 

         remembering to be merciful 

         55      to Abraham and his descendants forever, 

         even as he said to our fathers.” 

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

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