DECEMBER 23RD TO DECEMBER 29TH
REMINDER —
DECEMBER 19, 1843 —
Author, Charles Dickens published the book —
A Christmas Carol this day.
Do you remember Scrooge?
read in the year this book was published. We took
a moment to be grateful that the leaders of our own
country decided to include Public Education in our
benefits —
(although that was a long and difficult process).
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SATURDAY. DECEMBER 22ND
ADVENT STUDY IN ADAIR U.M.C.
• SUPPER AT 6 P.M. •• WORSHIP AT 6:30 •
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2012
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
MICAH 5:2-5
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Micah proclaims the coming of a "new David"
whose reign is characterized by peace and
caring for the needs of people rather than war.
The contrast is between the historical David, a
king notable for his victories in war, with the
"new David," a new leader who will be known for
making peace and caring for the needs of people.
Micah is prophesying to people who are about
to face destruction in a war with the Assyrians.
They would "become small."
That's the power of Micah's reminder of David,
the great King of Israel. David was from "one
of the small clans in Judah." He came to power
not because he was impressive, or from an
impressive line, but because God chose him
from this tribe of little account. Micah came
to expect God would bring forth the one known
as Messiah (Mashiach, "anointed one"), whose
rule would fulfill the promise for all time.
Micah's prophesy will call Matthew to say
"Jesus is the one Micah was talking about."
2 The Lord says,
"Bethlehem, you might not be
an important town in the nation of Judah.
But out of you will come
a ruler over Israel for me.
to the early years of your nation.
It goes all the way back
to days of long ago."
Bethlehem was also called Ephrathah.
enemies.
That will last until the promised ruler is born.
Then his relatives in Judah
will return to their land.
The Lord will rule over them
and the people of Israel.
4 The promised ruler will stand firm
and take care of his flock.
The Lord will give him the strength to do it.
The Lord his God will give him
the authority to rule.
His people will live safely.
His greatness will reach
from one end of the earth to the other.
5 And he will bring them peace.
The Lord Will Save His People From Their Enemies
The Assyrians will attack our land.
Enemies will march through our forts.
But we will raise up many shepherds against them.
We'll send out against them
as many leaders as we need to.
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LUKE 1:46b-55 (UMH 199)
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
In Mary's Song, God (who is mighty and Holy)
magnifies Mary (who is lowly). God's strength
does not strengthen, but scatters the proud, pulls
down the mighty from their seats and lifts up the
lowly.
Mary's Song is often called "Magnificat" after its
opening word in Latin. "My soul magnifies the
Lord . . for he has looked with favor on the
lowliness of his servant." The lowliness of Mary
recapitulates the lowliness of Bethlehem in the
prophecy from Micah. The "strength of God's
arm" acts as both defender against oppressors
(the proud • the mighty • the rich) and provider
for the oppressed (the lowly • the hungry).
46 Mary said,
"My soul gives glory to the Lord.
47 My spirit delights in God my Savior.
48 He has taken note of me
even though I am not important.
From now on all people will call me blessed.
49 The Mighty One has done great things for me.
His name is holy.
50 He shows his mercy to those who have respect
for him,
from parent to child down through the years.
51 He has done mighty things with his arm.
He has scattered those who are proud in their
deepest thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones.
But he has lifted up people who are not
important.
53 He has filled those who are hungry with good
things.
But he has sent those who are rich away empty.
54 He has helped the people of Israel, who serve
him.
He has always remembered to be kind
55 to Abraham and his children down through the
years.
He has done it just as he said to our people of
long ago."
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HEBREWS 10:5-10
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 40:4-6 by
offering his life in obedient service to God.
In this way, he both ended and replaced the
sacrificial system of the Aaronic priesthood.
The system of sacrifices is out and the system
of obedience begun in Jesus is in!
5 So when Christ came into the world, he said,
"You didn't want sacrifices and offerings.
Instead, you prepared a body for me.
6 You weren't pleased
with burnt offerings and sin offerings.
7 Then I said, 'Here I am. It is written about me
in the scroll.
God, I have come to do what you want.' "
—(Psalm 40:6-8)
8 First Christ said, "You didn't want sacrifices
and offerings. You didn't want burnt offerings
and sin offerings. You weren't pleased with
them."
He said that even though the law required
people to bring them.
9 Then he said, "Here I am. I have come to do
what you want." He did away with the first.
He did it to put the second in place.
10 We have been made holy by what God
wanted. We have been made holy because
Jesus Christ offered his body once and
for all time.
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LUKE 1:39-55
† New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Elizabeth, a priest's elderly and miraculously
pregnant wife (Mother of John the Baptist),
receives unwed, Mary with child and breaks
forth in blessing and wonder.
We sense Elizabeth's bodily elation. She could
not contain the joy that filled her when her baby
leapt at the sound of Mary's greeting and the
Spirit filled her (Luke 1:40-41). "Blessed are you
among women! Blessed is the fruit of your
womb!" she "voiced with a great cry" (verse 42).
This is an ecstatic speech, such a revelation.
It is speech from God's future made present.
Young, barely expectant Mary contrasts with
the older, very pregnant Elizabeth visually, as
they share in the same joy about what God
was doing in and through each of them.
MARY VISITS ELIZABETH
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a
town in Judea's hill country.
greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the
baby inside her jumped. And Elizabeth was filled
with the Holy Spirit.
42 In a loud voice she called out, "God has
blessed you more than other women. And blessed
is the child you will have!
43 But why is God so kind to me? Why has the
mother of my Lord come to me?
44 As soon as I heard the sound of your voice, the
baby inside me jumped for joy.
believed that what the Lord has said to you will be
done!"
MARY'S SONG
46 Mary said,
"My soul gives glory to the Lord.
47 My spirit delights in God my Savior.
48 He has taken note of me
even though I am not important.
From now on all people will call me blessed.
49 The Mighty One has done great things for me.
His name is holy.
50 He shows his mercy to those who have
respect for him,
from parent to child down through the years.
51 He has done mighty things with his arm.
He has scattered those who are proud in
their deepest thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their
thrones.
But he has lifted up people who are not
important.
53 He has filled those who are hungry with
good things.
But he has sent those who are rich away empty.
54 He has helped the people of Israel, who
serve him.
He has always remembered to be kind
55 to Abraham and his children down through
the years.
He has done it just as he said to our people
of long ago."
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• ON THIS DAY IN 1788
Maryland voted to cede a 100-square-mile area
for the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.)
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 24TH —
CHRISTMAS EVE
The office is closed today.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE IN CASEY-5:30 P.M.
"Silent Night" was composed by
Franz Joseph Gruber.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25TH —
CHRISTMAS DAY
MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL
AND GOD BLESS US EVERY ONEOffice will be closed today
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WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY,
DECEMBER 26 AND 27 —
The office will be open at regular hours.
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FUTURE FOCUS —
NO ADVENT GROUP ON THE 29TH
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30TH —NO ADVENT GROUP ON THE 29TH
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Pastor Melodee will tell us about her trip to
Israel.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 1ST, 2013 —
NEW YEARS DAY! OFFICE CLOSED.
IN OTHER WORDS, WISELY, PRUDENTLY,
SENSIBLY . . . TAKE YOUR PICK.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2ND —
SPRC MEETING IN ADAIR U.M.C. @7 P.M.
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Have a superb and safe holiday season.
God Bless and Keep You,
Pastor Melodee
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