Advent 4 B (December 20): Love

 

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Bible readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Luke 1:47-55 or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38.

About the Images:
Upper Left: This is a free microsoft clipart with text.
Upper Right: This is my image with text. It is of a sunset about ten minutes by slow boat from my place on the Gippsland Lakes (for more info on this area please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gippsland_Lakes). Please feel free to use this image for worship and related activities.
Middle Left: An image from Heartlight (see my link column at left).
Middle Right: An image from Cerrezo Barredo's page (see my link column at left)
Lower Left: This is a free Imagebank  image - see my link column at left.

Lower Right: Another image from Heartlight (see my link column at left).

Film Clip:


Film Clip: My Soul Rejoices
  

Film Clip: We are Bethlehem

A visual benediction by Alana Levandoski found on the Work of the People site and well worth paying the little they ask.  See my link column at left. 

Drama: The Village Gossips
From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 58ff (pictured at left).

Drama: Mary and the Angel
From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 42ff. (pictured at left).

Reading: Mary Pondering
From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 47 (pictured at left).

Discussion: On Luke readings
1. When is it hardest for us to say yes to God?
2. What makes Mary able to say it?
3. How can we follow her example?
4. What is one way we can show God's love this Christmas?

Story: Gabriel's Questions

Found in When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado, Word, 1996, ISBN 0849913241, page 58 (pictured at right). This goes with the gospel reading.

Story: The Hornbill
Found in The Manger is Empty: Stories in Time by Walter Wangerin, Hodder and Stoughton, 1989, ISBN 0340555548, page 21 (pictured at left). This goes exceptionally well with the gospel reading. 

Poem: Mary's Fear
Found in Outback Christmas by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Lutheran Publishing House, 1990, ISBN 0859105628, page 14 (pictured at right)

Meditation: Sightings 
By Kathy Galloway in Dandelions and Thistles: Biblical Meditations from the Iona Community by Jan Sutch Pickard (ed.) Wild Goose Publications, 1999, ISBN 1901557146, page 44ff (pictured at left). This is based on the gospel reading.

Response Activity: The Hornbill
Print some of the questions from the last part of this story on to cards for people to take home.

Response Activity:
Give everyone the following prayer, a pen or pencil, and a silent space to write their response:
Lord, help me to marvel at Gabriel's message when I am.............................
Lord, give me courage like Mary to tell you about........................................
to ask questions when I feel.................................................................... and to confidently give you my ................................................................
Help me to see the Christmas story with new eyes and to thank you for........................................................................................................
Amen.

Also:

Drama: Thinking Outside the Box

Found in All Age Sketches for the Christian Year by Peter Shaw, Bible Reading fellowship, 2006, ISBN 101841014583, pages11ff (pictured at left). This is an advent 4 drama based on the gospel reading. 

Adult Response: My Soul Gives Glory to my God
Found in Bringing the Word to Life Together Year B by Andrew Collis and Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Mediacom, 2011, ISBN 9781921945038, page 20ff (pictured at right). This is based on the gospel reading. 

Poem and prayer: nothing will be impossible.

Found in Dad and Daughter by Ron Gordon and Jennie Gordon, 2012, ISBN 9780646586601, page 68 (pictured at left).  These are based on the gospel reading.

Lots of Useful Stuff
Found in The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual 2014 by Jenee Woodard (Ed.), Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2013, page 263ff 

Service Outline: Gifts Galore

Based on the Luke reading this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 78 (pictured at right).

Service Starter: David: A King Forever

Based on the Matthew reading, this is found in The All-Age Service Annual Volume 4, published by Scripture Union, 2010, ISBN 9781844275199, page 44.

Meditation: Disciples of Christ

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 76ff (pictured at right).  This is based on the Luke reading.

Meditation: I Sang For Him

Found in Present on Earth by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 901557 64 2, page 78ff (pictured at right).  This is based on the Luke reading.

Advent notes: Thinking Outside the Box

Found in All Age Sketches for The Christian Year by Peter Shaw, The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2006, ISBN 10 1 984101 458 3, page 11ff.  This is based on the Luke reading.

Prayer: The Annunciation

Found in Multi-Sensory Prayer by Sue Wallace, Scripture Union, 2001, ISBN 1859994652, page 8 and based on the Luke reading.