Greetings, Friends, on this second Sunday of advent as we look forward to the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth more than 2000 years ago. Today we pause to light a candle that reminds us that Jesus chose to become flesh in the small, insignificant town of Bethlehem, where angels were His heralds and where shepherds, wise foreign men, and others could all worship Him. God wanted all of humankind to be able to come to Him, to see Him, to know Him, and to worship Him.
Light: Bethlehem Candle
Read: Micah 5:2-5, Luke 2:1-7
Listen:
- O Little Town of Bethlehem: As with many of the Christmas carols, this song has been recorded dozens of times in various styles. This year check out King and Country’s version.
- Silent Night: Click here for an adorable music video of a little 4-year-old girl singing this carol. You might also enjoy this prayerful classic from Chris Tomlin and Kristyn Getty.
- Away in a Manger: Phil Wickham’s version is a favorite, and if you’re looking for an oldie but goodie, check out Nat King Cole here or Evie Tornquist here.
Enjoy: Consider watching either The Nativity Story (2006, PG for ages 12+) or The Star (2017, PG animated for ages 4+) with your family and then reading a longer section of the Christmas story together from Luke 1 and 2 and Matthew, evaluating what was the same and what was different between the movie(s) and the biblical accounts.
This December our mailboxes are filled each week with envelopes from organizations seeking donations for so many worthy causes. If you’d like to keep your money local and help our church come alongside single mamas and their little ones to provide safe housing, UFC is endeavoring to raise $25,000 to secure a second Dignity House, which will cover the costs of a second home for one year. You can give here, noting in the memo line under the general giving tag that your gift is designated for Advent Conspiracy, which is our church’s Christmas campaign to shop less, spend less, and love more. In the past, funds have been used to install water wells in India, help build an orphanage and home for widows, build a church in Haiti, establish a benevolence fund for the Eugene Police Department and Lane County Sheriff’s Department, help Cahoots buy a second van, donate to the Eugene Mission, stock food closets at South Eugene High School and Sheldon High School, fund Agape Youth ministries, and much more.
Loved the music selections!
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