Advent

Today we learn about the prophecy that Mary will be the mother of Jesus. She believed the angel.

How is that memory verse coming? These verses can be a bit of a tongue twister, but it really helps if we know what we’re saying and aren’t just reciting words. It’s never a bad time to review the meaning of John 1:1-5. Ask your child questions about it to make sure that they understand. It is important to be up to snuff on that, because it’s time to add on!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made;”

My 6-year-old has it down. My 5-year-old is still struggling a little bit to remember the part we added last time, so I won’t add more for her quite yet. It’s okay with me if her memory verse is shorter than her sister’s. My 3-year-old… do I even need to say anything about that?

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

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on 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 unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:34-38, NIV

What should you teach them?

Here is what I tell my kids:

• In yesterday’s reading, we were introduced to a young woman named Mary. The angel Gabriel, the same angel who visited Zechariah in the temple, came to her with some interesting news. What was it?
• If you said that Mary was going to be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah, then you are correct!
• Mary is confused about how she is going to be a mother, because she is only engaged, but not yet married. (I don’t know if my kids are ready to know more than that. If they start asking questions, then I’ll give them answers, but so far they haven’t asked me what “virgin” means and I’m okay with that. If your kids are there already then say whatever you decide is appropriate.)
• The angel explains to Mary that this baby is not going to have a human father, but his father will be God by way of the Holy Spirit. Her son, Jesus, will be the Son of God. 
• Gabriel goes on to tell Mary that her older relative, Elizabeth, is also pregnant! Six months pregnant, in fact.
• The angel Gabriel reminds Mary that no word from God ever fails. He is saying this because God’s promise to Zechariah that he would have a son was true, and also to let her know that God’s promise to Mary would also be true.
• We end every day of reading the Christmas story with a prayer! My 5-year-old lead our prayer today. Included in her prayer was the request that God help her and her sisters to be able to clean up after themselves when they are done playing. I can get behind that.

[Read more…] about Advent – December 9