Elizabeth and Mary (Luke 1:39-45)
Today's story looks at how God encouraged Mary through the words of her cousin, Elizabeth
Lighting the Candle of LoveToday is the 4th week of Advent and we light the candle of love.
What you need:
This is a good opportunity to talk about love. Some helpful conversation starters (note- as you all talk and share together, gently lead the conversation into specifics- Statements like I love my friends are helpful. Statements like I love Sophie and Elyssa can be more helpful because they can allow you to explore the specifics of relationships)
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Aroha - LoveOur te reo word for the week is aroha, which means love.
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A big surprise
The story of Mary visiting Elizabeth
Say something like: What a surprise! First Mary is visited by an Angel- definitely not an everyday occurrence! And she’s told that she’s going to have a baby and that the baby is going to be God’s son. Whew! That would be a bit of a shock for anyone. God is full of surprises and in this story- the surprise doesn’t end there.
After Mary is visited by an angel, she went to visit her older cousin, Elizabeth. Elizabeth had never had any children. Mary loved Elizabeth and wanted to see her and tell her what was happening-- that she was pregnant with God's son. When Mary reaches Elizabeth' house, we find out another surprising something. Elizabeth was also pregnant. Not only that, but as soon as Elizabeth saw Mary, Elizabeth’s baby jumped around inside her. He started wiggling, kicking, moving around and getting really excited. Before Mary said anything at all, Elizabeth knew something amazing. She knew that Mary was pregnant and that Mary’s baby was going to be the Lord.
I think that’s a story full of surprises. So full, that we know that God must have been up to something really, really big. This was no ordinary meeting, and God hadn’t planned a bit of ordinary stuff. Oh no! He had something big, no huge planned. God’s plan was to come and be with us in the world, to love us and save us. And for God to work it all out this way, he must really want to be with us. And he does. He wants to be with us just now, just the way we are. We don’t need to improve ourselves for him; get our hair cut, get good grades, lose weight or get a job. He wants to be with us right now. And to do that, God’s going to send a baby to earth. I always thought that if someone were going to change the world, that person should be strong and smart, and big and tough powerful and maybe a bit bossy. But God’s big surprising plan was very different. His big thing is a very little baby and that baby is coming very very soon!
Say something like: What a surprise! First Mary is visited by an Angel- definitely not an everyday occurrence! And she’s told that she’s going to have a baby and that the baby is going to be God’s son. Whew! That would be a bit of a shock for anyone. God is full of surprises and in this story- the surprise doesn’t end there.
After Mary is visited by an angel, she went to visit her older cousin, Elizabeth. Elizabeth had never had any children. Mary loved Elizabeth and wanted to see her and tell her what was happening-- that she was pregnant with God's son. When Mary reaches Elizabeth' house, we find out another surprising something. Elizabeth was also pregnant. Not only that, but as soon as Elizabeth saw Mary, Elizabeth’s baby jumped around inside her. He started wiggling, kicking, moving around and getting really excited. Before Mary said anything at all, Elizabeth knew something amazing. She knew that Mary was pregnant and that Mary’s baby was going to be the Lord.
I think that’s a story full of surprises. So full, that we know that God must have been up to something really, really big. This was no ordinary meeting, and God hadn’t planned a bit of ordinary stuff. Oh no! He had something big, no huge planned. God’s plan was to come and be with us in the world, to love us and save us. And for God to work it all out this way, he must really want to be with us. And he does. He wants to be with us just now, just the way we are. We don’t need to improve ourselves for him; get our hair cut, get good grades, lose weight or get a job. He wants to be with us right now. And to do that, God’s going to send a baby to earth. I always thought that if someone were going to change the world, that person should be strong and smart, and big and tough powerful and maybe a bit bossy. But God’s big surprising plan was very different. His big thing is a very little baby and that baby is coming very very soon!
I wonder...
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Christmas on the Move
All resources from Christmas on the Move, a Strandz advent resource, can be found here
Today is the day for Mary and Joseph to arrive at the stable, ready for the arrival of the baby on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. This can be linked to the Gospel reading. |
Media
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An Angel visits Elizabeth
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Tailrace Kids: Elizabeth
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Luke 1:39-45: Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth.
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