Additional Scriptures 

Isaiah 7:10–16; Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19; Romans 1:1–7 

Preparation 

The Advent Focus and Advent Responsive Prayer portions of the worship services intentionally carry over into the other three Sundays of Advent. Use these sections each week to provide continuity and establish a sacred rhythm and formative repetition throughout the Advent season. 

Prelude 

Carols of the Season 

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” CCS 423 

OR “The First Noel” CCS 424 

Welcome 

Call to Worship 

Reader 1: Arise, shine! For your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! 

All Readers: Restore us, O God; let your love shine, that we may be saved. 

Reader 2: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them a light has shined. 

All Readers: Restore us, O God; let your love shine, that we may be saved. 

Reader 3: And the light which now shines, which gives you light, is through him who enlightens your eyes. It is the same light that quickens your understandings; which light proceeds forth from the presence of God, to fill the immensity of space. 

All Readers: Restore us, O God; let your love shine, that we may be saved. 

Reader 2: The light which is in all things; which gives life to all things; which is the law by which all things are governed; even the power of God who sits upon the throne, who is in the heart of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. 

All Readers: Restore us, O God; let your love shine, that we may be saved. 

Reader 1: What was coming into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 

—selections from Isaiah 9:2, 60:1; Doctrine and Covenants 85:3; John 1:3b–5, 9; Psalm 80 

Carol 

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” CCS 431 

OR “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” CCS 409 

Prayer of Presence 

Response 

Advent Focus 

The season of Advent is a time of preparing for the light of God to come into the world through Jesus Christ. Advent brings this gift: a slowing, unfolding, waiting time that refuses to be rushed in the name of efficiency, convenience, and urgency. Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent—the Sunday of love. 

A weary hand knocks on the door of an inn, 
and there is no room! 
No room, God of love, for love to be born. 
Oh, how we need your gift of love! 
Love of neighbor, love of enemy, love of self. 
Healthy love, holistic love. 
Healing love that melts the ice of alienation, 
that warms each heart with the wonder of acceptance 
for every child that love has birthed. 
Surely there is room for love? 
Love that seeks and saves. Love without strings. 
Love for love’s own sake 
—uncaused, uncalculated, unrequiring. 
—Danny A. Belrose, Wave Offerings   
(Herald Publishing House, 2015), p. 131 

Each week as we gather for worship, we come with holy expectation. Expecting to encounter the Divine as we are shaped and sent. As we journey in this season of Advent, let us be especially mindful in our worship of the need to slow down. Let us be vulnerable to God, and to sense the light of Christ’s hope being born anew within us. 

Advent is a time to take inventory of our expectations. How is God-with-us seeking to be love where you are this Advent season? Let us pause in silence, deeply breathing that we may be present to hear the voice of the Holy. Pause for one minute. 

Hymn of Centering sing softly, three times 

“O God We Call” CCS 195 

OR “Wait for the Lord” CCS 399 

Lighting the Advent Candle of Love 

Statement 

Today we light the Advent candle of love. Love is both tender affection and resilient compassion, the concern and care extended inward and outward. Love is the heart of God, the heart of Christ’s message, the heart of the Spirit’s call to all disciples. Love is a light calling us home through the darkness. 

Light the Advent candle of love. 

Carol of Love 

“Away in a Manger” CCS 425/426 

OR “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” CCS 416 

Advent Responsive Prayer 

Leader: God, we lift this Advent prayer to you: 

All: That we might wait in your love, 

Leader: Hear our prayer, O Lord. pause for a moment of silence 

All: That we might find love as our home, 

Leader: Hear our prayer, O Lord. pause for a moment of silence 

All: That we might nurture love within, 

Leader: Hear our prayer, O Lord. pause for a moment of silence 

All: That we might bear your love to others, 

Leader: Hear our prayer, O Lord. pause for a moment of silence 

All: That we may live in the light of your love, 

Leader: Hear our prayer, O Lord. pause for a moment of silence 

Amen. 

Advent Scripture Reading 

Matthew 1:18–25 

Carol 

“Joseph, Kind Joseph” stanza 1 CCS 414 

OR “I Danced in the Morning” stanza 1 CCS 23 

Prayer for Peace 

Light the peace candle. 

Prayer 

God Who Makes Your Home with Us, 

Create space within our hearts that we might receive you. Light the pathways of our understanding that we might find your presence in one another. Lift the darkness from our eyes so we may awaken to your purposes of peace. Emmanuel, God, come into the neighborhood, call us once again to work for justice and healing in every town and village where you already dwell. Emmanuel, God in relationship, lead us beyond our isolation and into transformative community. Emmanuel, God in solidarity with outcasts and “forgottens,” remind us of your impulse of welcome and hospitality. Pour out your love abundant to us, through us, among us that we might refresh every alleyway and yard and store and table with your promise of peace. God, who makes your home with us, let us make our home in your love, your joy, your hope, your peace, your vision of light which dispels all darkness. Emmanuel, God with us, lead us in your way of peace through love, is our prayer. Amen. 

Advent Message 

Based on Matthew 1:18–25 

Disciples’ Generous Response 

Statement: Joseph’s Generosity 

We heard today about how Joseph listened to God and helped Jesus come into the world. We’re going to hear the text again, and I want you to listen for ways that Joseph showed generosity. Read Matthew 1:18–25. Who can tell me a way that Joseph was generous? Wait for responses. Answers could include: He didn’t want Mary to be publicly disgraced; he trusted God and listened; he took Mary to be his wife; he named the baby “Jesus.” Joseph didn’t know exactly how his generous response would affect the world, but when he felt God nudging him he knew what he needed to do. 

Our generous response as disciples is similar, isn’t it? When we give our money, we don’t always know the names and faces and stories of the people who will be affected by it, but we do know that we need to respond to God’s invitation to give. When we are generous in supporting the mission of Christ through the energies of the church, other people in our own neighborhoods and around the world find new ways to experience the amazing love of Emmanuel, God with them. Let’s take the example of Joseph and respond generously to God’s invitation today. 

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes 

Carol 

“What Child Is This” CCS 432 

OR “Once in Royal David’s City” CCS 429 

Prayer of Expectation and Confession 

Leader: O Loving God, we pray in expectation that the coming of Christ may scatter 
all darkness, 

Congregation: Lord, have mercy. 

Leader: That the birth of Christ may hallow all life, 

Congregation: Lord, have mercy. 

Leader: That the love of Christ may be in every heart, 

Congregation: Lord, have mercy. 

Leader: That the peace of Christ may fill the world, 

Congregation: Christ, have mercy. 

Leader: That the humility of Christ may teach us gentleness, 

Congregation: Christ, have mercy. 

Leader: That the presence of Christ may be within us, 

Congregation: Lord, have mercy. 

Leader: That the power of Christ may be on us, 

Congregation: Lord, have mercy. 

Leader: That the Spirit of Christ may fill us, 

Congregation: Lord, have mercy. 

Sung Response 

“Wait for the Lord” CCS 399 

Postlude 

Gathering

Welcome

For the Advent season it is traditional to have Advent candles (four white candles, one for each week of Advent) or an Advent wreath (an evergreen ring, with four candles and one white candle in the center). One candle is lit each week with the center candle lit on Christmas. The lighting of the Advent candle takes place at the beginning of the spiritual practice.

Advent is a season of waiting in expectation for the coming of light into a darkened world in the form of the infant Jesus. Advent is spent anticipating and spiritually preparing for the arrival of the Christ-child. Scriptures, symbols, and hymns help make Advent a time of expectation for Christ’s birth, rather than a frenzy of holiday tasks.

The Advent season begins four Sundays before Christmas and is observed each Sunday until Christmas. An Advent wreath with four candles and one Christ candle in the center often is used to observe the weeks of Advent. One candle is lit each week until all are burning brightly on Christmas.

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.

God of glory and greatness, help us to gather in spirit and understanding. The richness of your goodness leads us to worship.

We are thankful for the gift of your Son this Advent season. He touched and blessed every aspect of our lives while on Earth. He is the Prince of Peace. Thank you for his great love and the beauty of his sharing. Make us responsive to the Holy Spirit he welcomed through prayer. We seek it in our sharing of human problems and relationships. We would lift Jesus’ ensign of peace to our troubled world. Challenge us again during this preparation of Advent to become a creative part of the world’s redemption with him, for we ask it in his worthy name. Amen.

—Miriam Mann

 Spiritual Practice

Take Five

Light the fourth candle of Advent and say:

Today we light the fourth candle of Advent. This candle represents love. May the lighting of this candle remind us to share our light and love with the world.

Read the following:

Throughout this Advent season we have been contemplating how “taking five” helps us slow down, connect with the Divine, and discover hope, peace, and joy in the new light being birthed this season. Jesus taught us about a love that extends far beyond what we might consider as being safe and bordered. Through his actions Jesus taught us not only to love those who look, act, or think like us, but to open our arms wide to all. Jesus models a love that is unrestricted, unbounded, and unrelenting. This is the hope of Advent: the hope of new birth, the hope of God’s mercy and love.

Read the following:

Love is the greatest power in the world. It is stronger than hate. When we are filled with love and treat others with love we bring peace, hope, and joy to the world. Today we will “Take Five” by doing a mantra meditation. As we breathe in, our mantra is, “As I have loved you.” As we breathe out, our mantra is, “Love one another.” Continue this practice for five minutes.

Set the timer for five minutes. At the end, say “Amen.” Invite the group to reflect on this practice.

Sharing Around the Table

Matthew 1:18–25 NRSVue

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly.

But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they  him Imshall name him Emanuel” which means “God with us.”

When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.

When people think of Christmas, they often think of the birth of Jesus, bringing hope to the world. It is a magical time when families share with one another, often traveling great distances to be with loved ones. However, the first Christmas for Joseph was one of shock and dismay. Mary, his future wife, was pregnant. How could this be? They had not been together. The coming birth of Jesus is marred by scandal.

Joseph is left in a bit of a quandary. What am I to do? He has every right to shame this woman, to make her a spectacle in the community for her transgression. Joseph being a kind man, decides that he will quietly divorce Mary, the more humane of his options. Our story, however, takes another turn. Joseph is visited by an angel who explains that Mary has not been unfaithful but has conceived through the Holy Spirit and will bring into the world Emmanuel, “God is with us.”

The part of the Christmas story that we read today is both a wonder and a scandal. Joseph must trust in the wonder, the unbelievable, the spectacular. Our text reminds us that unexpected things can often be the signs that God is at work. As we look at the Christmas tree that is not quite as perfectly shaped as it looked on the lot, and our lives that our not quite as perfect as we want them to be, God is doing something new. May we rejoice in the rebirth of the Christmas season.

Questions

1. When have you felt that you failed to live up to the “perfect Christmas,” but still felt God’s love and grace fully?
2. What do you find most unusual about Jesus’ birth?
3. How have you felt the love of God this advent season?

Sending

Generosity Statement

Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing small-group ministries as part of your generous response.

The offering prayer for Advent is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

God who is faithful, Be present with us as we plan our spending. May we use our resources to build healthy, happy relationships with you, others, and the Earth. May we remember the teachings of Jesus that challenge us to make lifestyle choices that are counter to our culture of accumulation and excess. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

CCS 395, “People, Look East”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Choose one scripture to read from this selection: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–39.

Invitation to Communion

All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

This Advent season, our experience of being together as we share in Communion is an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community.

In preparation let’s sing from Community of Christ Sings 519, “In the Singing.”

Blessing and serving bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

Materials: paper and pencils

Ask: What are some loving things people say to us or we say to others?

Have each child fold a sheet of paper vertically in half. Invite the kids to write or draw on the left side of the paper some things people have said to them, or they have said to others, that did NOT feel loving. After they have drawn or written a few examples, instruct them to write or draw examples of loving things on the right side of the paper.

Invite children to share one thing they wrote on the right side of their page.

Explain: We can practice love by saying kind things and having compassion for ourselves and others, even when we feel weak or make mistakes. Jesus loves us all the time, and we can choose to show love all the time, too.

Tell the children: Thank you for coming today to show your love for all of us and for Jesus as you learn more about him. You can share your love for Jesus by being loving to yourself, your family, your friends, and others.

Lead the children in prayer: We pray that all God’s children can feel God’s love. We pray for their safety. We pray for their health. We pray they may feel joy. Help us to be God’s hands this Advent season as we wait in love.

Exploring the Scripture

Rather than recounting the birth of Jesus, today’s passage provides important background. It tells that Mary is engaged to Joseph but that she is pregnant by the Holy Spirit before living with Joseph. Then, engagement was considered binding, so Mary being pregnant was what today would be considered as a violation of the marital agreement. Joseph would have had every right to make a public spectacle of her and reject her as his engaged. But we are told he is “a righteous man” and he decides to “dismiss her quietly.” Already, the text introduces a different notion of righteousness than simple obedience to the law. He decides to respond to Mary out of compassion.

After having decided, an angel visits Joseph and tells him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. The angel tells him the child Mary is expecting has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. Further he is told to name the baby “Jesus.” This is important, as the earlier verses of this chapter have shown Joseph as a descendant of David. By naming the baby, Joseph claims Jesus as his own and as a descendant of David. This allows the author to proclaim this child as “Emmanuel,” in fulfillment of Hebrew prophecy, a connection especially important throughout Matthew’s Gospel.

The name Jesus meant “Yahweh helps” or “Yahweh saves.” Even with such an intense meaning, the name Jesus was common then. It serves as a bridge between the holiness of God and the commonness of humanity. Jesus was known in tradition to be the successor of Moses and this theme continues throughout Matthew’s Gospel.

Today is the last Sunday of Advent, the Sunday just before celebrating Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day. The church’s declaration, after the expectation of Advent, is that Jesus is born! Not only do we remember an event that occurred 2,000 years ago, we affirm that Jesus is born anew. Jesus’ birth is not just a one time event. He is born again each time we remember and relive his life and ministry. Whenever his disciples reach out in love, compassion, and care toward others in need, Jesus is present. He lives today just as much as he did after his birth in Bethlehem, his upbringing in Nazareth, and his life in Palestine. With joy, on this day, we shout “Jesus is born!”

Central Ideas

1. Jesus’ birth occurred under unusual circumstances.
2. Jesus’ birth fulfilled Hebrew prophecy.
3. Jesus was God’s gift to humanity to bring about salvation.
4. Jesus is reborn in each act of genuine Christian discipleship.

Questions for the Speaker

1. What do you find most unusual about Jesus’ birth?
2.  How have you experienced God’s love so far this Advent season?
3. How does Jesus’ birth fulfill your greatest longings?
4. How have you experienced Jesus’ birth anew as you share with other Christian disciples, both in giving and receiving acts of love?

Focus Scripture Passage

Matthew 1:18–25 

Lesson Focus

Jesus is born anew in compassionate acts of disciples. 

Objectives 

The learners will… 

• share acts of compassion through which God’s love was given and received. 
• discuss Matthew 1:18–25 and what it reveals to us today about Christ Jesus. 
• explore opportunities for social and relational salvation through compassionate ministry. 

Supplies 

• Bible  
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS) 

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Matthew 1:18–25 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament (with focus on the Gospel according to Matthew), p. 24, available through Herald House. 

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent, and today’s focus is love. Invite all who would like to share their response to one or both of the following statements. 

• Describe an act of compassion from which you received God’s love this week. 
• Describe an act of compassion through which you shared God’s love this week. 

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Today’s passage is part of Matthew’s birth account. The passage is preceded by the genealogy of Jesus, which differs from the genealogy found in Luke. Matthew’s inclusive genealogy (women, foreigners, sinners, and saints) affirms God’s purposes are carried out in unexpected ways. Keeping in mind the post-resurrection authorship of Matthew, the introduction reflects the complete Christ story. Jesus the Messiah is connected to the history of Israel (son of Abraham), and is a descendant of King David, as prophesied by Isaiah (see Isaiah 7:13–14). 

Read Matthew 1:18–25 and discuss the following. Note to instructor: You may choose to form three small groups or pairs and assign one of the following people to each group or pair. Have each group or pair read the paragraph about their person and discuss the questions that follow. Share insights with the larger group. 

Mary 

Mary is the fifth woman mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus, which breaks the pattern of male lineage. The other women mentioned—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—have unique ties to Israel. Mary was engaged to Joseph, which in first-century Judaism involved a binding contract. Her conception through the power of the Holy Spirit is simply stated in this passage and is known to the audience, but not to Joseph before his dream. According to Jewish law, the punishment for adultery was death (Deuteronomy 22:23–27), and although that practice was less strictly kept in Matthew’s time, the punishment remained public, severe, and shameful. 

• What is significant about Mary’s role in Matthew’s birth story? 
• How is Jesus born anew in Mary-like responses of disciples today? 

Joseph 

When Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy, his decision to dismiss her quietly was an act of compassion that contrasted what obedience to the law dictated. His action introduced an understanding of righteousness beyond the literal interpretation of the Law of Moses. 

After his dream visitation, he took Mary to his home as his wife, claimed the baby as his own, and named him Jesus as instructed. By doing so, he fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that the Messiah would be a descendant of David. 

• What is significant about Joseph’s role and response in Matthew’s birth story? 
• How is Jesus born anew through Joseph-like actions in the world today? 

Jesus 

The name Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) was a common Jewish name in first-century Palestine. It means “Yahweh helps” or “Yahweh saves.” The name Jesus serves as a bridge between the holiness of God and the commonness of humanity (Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament, p. 24). The name also connects with Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 7:14) that the child shall be named Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” The author of Matthew uses this passage to connect Jesus to Israel’s history and affirm both his divinity and his humanity. 

• What is significant about Jesus’s name in Matthew’s birth story? 
• How do you understand God’s salvation through Jesus? 

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Community of Christ upholds the following statements about Jesus Christ. 

1. Christ is our peace, breaking down the dividing walls of hostility between us. He promises us the redemption and healing of our relationships with God, one another, and all of creation. 
2. As disciples of Christ, we are all called to conform our lives to his by living in loving community with others, seeing Jesus in the faces of the least of God’s children, and serving those whom the world has forgotten. 

—“We Proclaim Jesus Christ,” Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, pp. 59–60 

• Where do you find connections between discussion of Matthew’s birth story (Engage section) and these belief statements about Jesus Christ? 
• How do the statements reflect an understanding of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ? 

Form two groups and assign “Compassionate Ministries” to one group and “Social or Relational Salvation” to the second group. Discuss the questions in smaller groups, record responses, and share with the larger group. 

Compassionate Ministries 

• What compassionate ministries are provided through your congregation or community? 
• How do these ministries promote social and relational salvation? 

Social or Relational Salvation 

• How do Joseph’s actions in today’s passage promote social and relational salvation? 
• What ministries in your congregation or community promote social and relational salvation? 

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Respond to the following questions in small groups of two or three or as a large group. Spend time in prayer with these questions as part of your personal spiritual practice in the coming week. 

• How does Matthew’s birth story affirm God’s love for you? For all creation? 
• How have you experienced Jesus’s birth anew through compassionate acts of disciples (others and your own)? 

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Read or sing “As God Is Joy” CCS 366 as a statement of blessing and commitment. 

Focus Scripture Passage

Matthew 1:18–25 

Lesson Focus

Joseph’s response to God reveals love and trust. 

Objectives 

The learners will… 

• read about Joseph’s loving response to God. 
• explore what it means to courageously choose love. 
• learn about the Enduring Principle Responsible Choices. 

Supplies 

• Bible 
• Board or other large writing surface 
• Marker 
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS) 

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Matthew 1:18–25 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (with focus on the Gospel according to Matthew), p. 24, available through Herald House. 

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Read the verses of “Joseph, Kind Joseph” CCS 414 in place of an opening prayer. 

This week’s lesson helps us explore Joseph’s response to God’s call for him to choose love despite the complex situation. This hymn invites us to explore the love Joseph and Mary share for the baby Jesus. 

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Advent is a time of preparing ourselves for the coming birth of Jesus into a world waiting for love. This week’s scripture text invites us to explore Joseph’s response to God’s invitation. Joseph is invited to make a choice that helps bring about God’s activity in the world for the sake of the world. 

Read Matthew 1:18–25. 

In this scene, the author of Matthew invites us to explore Joseph’s response to the coming miraculous birth of Jesus. Before Joseph and Mary are married, Mary becomes pregnant. During this time, becoming pregnant outside of their engagement and marriage would have been viewed as adultery. In their culture, Joseph had a right to terminate his engagement to Mary and could have subjected her to much worse. Joseph plans to dismiss her quietly, sparing her some humiliation. 

Even though Joseph is making a compassionate choice, an angel of the Lord visits Joseph in a dream with a different invitation. The angel tells Joseph to take Mary as his wife despite what others might think of his choice. The angel tells Joseph that the child Mary is carrying has been conceived of the Holy Spirit. 

The angel in Joseph’s dream invites him to participate in an alternate story that God is writing. Although Joseph was making a responsible and compassionate choice by dismissing Mary quietly, God presents another option in which ultimate love will be revealed and the people will be saved. The author, once again, looks to the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) to assure the readers that this has always been part of God’s vision for creation and is a fulfillment of a promise from God. 

When Joseph wakes up from his dream, he does as the angel instructs and takes Mary as his wife. When the baby is born, he is named Jesus—God with us in the world—just as the angel told him to do. In taking Jesus as his son and by naming him, Jesus is included in the family tree of David, an important person in Hebrew scripture. This ties the story of Jesus’s miraculous birth to God’s long history of promise keeping. 

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Love stories are popular in books, movies, TV, and music. Today’s scripture passage fits well in the “love story” category. In today’s passage, Joseph shows us what it means to courageously choose to love. It means compassion, kindness, and respect. It means following God. The love story of Mary and Joseph teaches us how to live as disciples. 

• Share your favorite love story. Where in this story are examples of kindness, understanding, respect, compassion, etc.? 
• What can we learn from Mary and Joseph about love? 
• What are the qualities of courageous love? Write your answers on a board or other large surface. 

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

We explore this text during Advent because it is an opportunity to discover what it means to love. The author of Matthew describes a scene in which Joseph has an opportunity to choose love. Joseph is instructed to marry Mary, although others in his community might judge his decision. 

Joseph’s decision is an act of love that respects Mary and follows God. Joseph’s decision also helps to bring love in the form of the birth of Christ. The scripture tells us that this coming birth will be to save the people. The angel tells Joseph how his choice to follow God will help bring about God’s good plans for the world. 

Our scripture passage invites us to explore what it means to choose to love courageously. Doctrine and Covenants 162:8c offers us a similar invitation: 

Go forth with confidence and live prophetically as a people who have been loved, and who now courageously choose to love others in the name of the One you serve. 

The choices we make individually and collectively can help bring about God’s love in the world, or not. The Enduring Principle, Responsible Choices provides guidance to our role in the choices we make. Read about Responsible Choices below from Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, p. 30. 

Responsible Choices 

• • God gives humans the ability to make choices about whom or what they will serve. 
  • Some people experience conditions that diminish their ability to make choices. 
  • Human choices contribute to good or evil in our lives and in the world. 
  • Many aspects of creation need redemption because of irresponsible and sinful human choices.
  • We are called to make responsible choices within the circumstances of our lives that contribute to the purposes of God. 

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Review the list of qualities of courageous love created earlier in the lesson. Have each person choose a word or quality that they will try to embody. Think together about how these qualities can help bring the love of Christ into an aching world. 

Offer a short prayer or reread the first verse of “Joseph, Kind Joseph” CCS 414. 

Focus Scripture Passage

Matthew 1:18–25 

Lesson Focus

Jesus’s birth fulfilled God’s promise to love and be with us.  

Notes to Teachers

This lesson has adaptations in learning objectives, supplies, and in teaching components for the Gather and Send sections. See additional instructions in the “Ahead of time” section below for Option 2.  

Objectives 

The learners will… 

• read the story of Joseph’s encounter with an angel, which led to an act of compassion.  
• discuss the meaning of “Emmanuel.”  
• identify ways to show God’s love to others. 
• explain how an item can be used as a reminder to share God’s love. 
• Option 1: light the fourth candle of Advent (love).  
• Option 2: explain Jesus is coming to share God’s love by singing, “Jesus Is Coming, Let’s Celebrate.” 

Supplies 

• Bible or Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, by Ralph Milton, illustrated by Margaret Kyle (Wood Lake Publishing, 2007, ISBN 9781551455471) 
• Paper and pencils or pens  
• Construction paper (green, brown, other colors), scissors, glue, heart stencils (three sizes), items for decoration (sequins, paper, stickers) 

Option 1 

• Advent wreath, four candles (hope, joy, peace, love), lighter or matches  
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)  

Option 2

• Wrapped box of items representing love (See list in “Ahead of time” notes below.) 
• Way to display song lyrics (chart paper, computer, projector) 

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Matthew 1:18–25 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament, p. 24, available through Herald House. 

Ahead of Time (Option 2)

Gather the five sets of items below. We will open one each Sunday of Advent and on Christmas Day. If possible, find or make enough so every child may take one with them at the end of class. Find ideas listed above. Wrap each set of items in a separate box and place them in a prominent location in your space. On the first four boxes write the Advent Sunday number (First Sunday of Advent, etc.) not the Advent focus (Joy, Peace, etc.), so it can remain a mystery. On box five write “Merry Christmas!” Only open one package each Sunday to build anticipation for the following week.  

The five wrapped packages will include:  

• Peace items
• Hope items
• Joy items  
• Love items to open today 
• Jesus items 

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Option 1

Greet children as they enter and invite them to sit around the Advent wreath. Light the first three candles and review with the class what each candle represents. (hope, joy, and peace) Add today’s candle that represents love. Explain to the children that this candle represents the love that Jesus brings into our lives during this season of waiting for Jesus’s birth. As you light the fourth candle sing together the fourth verse of “Hope Is a Light” CCS 398.  

Love is a gift, (Love is a gift.)
Love is a gift our hearts can give. (Love is a gift our hearts can give.) 
Light the candle of love. (Light the candle of love.)  

—Daniel Charles Damon, © 2007 Hope Publishing Company 

Note

You might also consider creating a living Advent wreath by having the students sit in a circle and take turns sharing how they can represent the love of Jesus in the coming week. You could do this in the Gather or Send section of the lesson. You may also want to consider, depending on supplies, allowing the children to make their advent wreaths and add a candle each week. 

Option 2

Say: Happy Fourth Sunday of Advent! This is the final Sunday of Advent. Can you believe it’s already here? Who can remind us about what we having been doing during Advent? (Waiting for the coming of God’s son, Jesus) We are going to sing our Advent song again, but today we are adding a new verse. Listen to see if you can identify today’s Advent theme. 

Jesus Is Coming, Let’s Celebrate 

(Sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) 

CHORUS: Advent is a time we wait 
For something exciting we’ll celebrate! 
A mir-a-cle will be achieved. 
A gift from God we will receive. 
Advent is a time we wait.
Jesus is coming let’s celebrate! 

On the fourth Advent Sunday 
Love will show us the way.
Love from God that never ends, 
Helps us see neighbors as friends. 
On the fourth Advent Sunday
Love will show us the way. 

Say: What do you think our Advent theme is today? (Love) Yes, you’re right! Today we wait for the coming of Jesus, who came to bring God’s love to the world! At the end of class today we will open our fourth Advent gift of love. 

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

In our scripture passage today, we are going to hear about how love happened in an unexpected way. Our story starts with Mary and Joseph, who were Jesus’s earthly parents. Mary and Joseph were engaged. Mary found out she was going to have a baby. It was a scary thing to be a girl, going to have a baby, but not married. People would be very mean to her. She was worried when she told Joseph that he would break up with her. Joseph was a good person and did not want to embarrass Mary. So he decided to break his engagement to her quietly. However, before he could break off his engagement with Mary, something unexpected happened.  

Read together Matthew 1:18–25 from the NRSVue or “Joseph’s Brave Choice” from Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, p. 35.  

Explore the following questions with the students:  

• How do you think Mary was feeling? (afraid, hopeful for her baby)  
• What did Mary decide to do? (trust God, tell Joseph the truth about her pregnancy, marry Joseph) 
• How do you think Joseph was feeling? (scared, confused) 
• What did Joseph decide to do? (trust God, trust Mary, protect Mary by marrying her) 
• What does “Emmanuel” mean? (God with us)  
• Is God with us? How does that feel?  

In today’s scripture passage we are told that Jesus is “Emmanuel,” which means God is with us. What are some ways you know God is with you each day?  

We are going to create an acrostic poem made up of words that begin with each letter of “Emmanuel.” Have children write the letters EMMANUEL from top to bottom along the left side of their paper. Each word they choose should describe a way we know God is with us. That word could describe God’s nature or actions. For example:  

Note: Younger children may need more help thinking up words on their own. If your class has fewer independent learners, create one acrostic together. If your students are more advanced, have them create their own and share with the class.

Energy  
Mercy  
Message 
Attitude (good)  
Newborn king  
Understanding  
Excitement  
Love

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Living in God’s “upside-down” kingdom asks us to put love first. Today’s story about Mary and Joseph reminds us that sometimes being compassionate is more important than following what others might think is right, especially if that would hurt someone. Joseph had an important role in God’s plan for creation. Instead of abandoning Mary, he stepped out in faith and love and married her. He chose to protect Mary and her baby.

Jesus asks us each day to look at the people around us and see them the way God sees them. What is difficult about that? How can you show other people that God loves them? 

Today we are going to create a love tree as a reminder of God’s love for us and the love God wants us to show each other. 

Hand out the following supplies to each child: one piece of construction paper for the background, one piece of brown paper for the tree trunk, one piece of construction paper for hearts, pencil or pen, scissors, glue, stencils, and various items to decorate tree (stickers, markers, sequins, paper).  

1. Cut a trunk out of the brown paper and glue it to the background paper.  
2. Trace three hearts (large, medium, and small) on another piece of construction paper.  
3. Cut out hearts.  
4. Glue the large heart upside-down above the tree trunk, barely overlapping it.  
5. Glue the medium-sized heart upside-down above the large heart, barely overlapping it.  
6. Glue the smallest heart upside-down above and barely overlapping the medium heart.  
7. Decorate the tree.  
8. Write across the top of the page: Emmanuel: God with Us.  
9. Write on each heart an act of compassion.

Note: An alternate object lesson would be to have one child look at a picture or page of a magazine upside-down for 60 seconds. Then have another child look at the picture or magazine page right side up. Have them describe what the picture looked like from their perspective. Do this several times with a variety of pictures. What was it like to look at the pictures upside down? How did you describe what you saw? How is this like sharing God’s upside-down kingdom with others?

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Option 1

Gather around the Advent wreath and sing all four verses of “Hope Is a Light” CCS 398: Remind children that next week is Christmas and you will light the final candle together. 

Hope is a light… 

Joy is a song… 

Peace is a prayer… 

Love is a gift…

Option 2

Ask a child to get the “Fourth Sunday of Advent” gift. (Rotate who gets to help with the gift each week.) Make predictions about what might be in the box before opening it. After opening, ask children to explain why they think that item is in the box. Give one item to every child. Explain they should place the item somewhere they will see it throughout the week to remind them Jesus is coming to bring God’s love and they need to share that love with others.

Note: If possible, deliver the item to anyone not in attendance.

If time, sing today’s verse of “Jesus Is, Coming Let’s Celebrate” from the Gather section above.

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Close with each student finishing the following statement:

This week I will show God’s love to ___ by ___.