MERRY CHRISTMAS CHURCH FAMILY!
Your staff at BBC has created an at-home family worship experience reflecting on Advent and Christmas. Our prayer is that God richly blesses you as your family gathers to worship today.
Did you know that Christmas is an invitation to know, understand, and experience Jesus! During Advent 2021, we explored topics of HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE as they relate to Jesus and His birth. Today you will reflect on the season and share meaningful insights together as your worship
WORSHIP GUIDE FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN (BIRTH TO 5TH GRADE)
Song
Watch Matt Maher's video of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," and sing along as a family.
Teaching Video
Watch the "Jesus Was Born" video based on Luke 2 (approximately three minutes).
Reflection Questions
- How has Jesus' coming to earth changed your life?
- Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus' coming?
Prayer
Father, thank you for sending your son Jesus to the world as our Savior. He came to rescue us from sin and death. This is good news that results in great joy for all who believe in Jesus. Amen.
Lord's Supper
Read through the Lord's Supper card and if appropriate, take the Lord's Supper as a family.
Family Activity
Choose a Family Activity:
- Bless a neighbor by sharing treats, cookies, or goodies.
- Spend time observing the sunset of night sky. Reflect on the beauty and majesty of God. Spend time imagining what Jesus' return will look like and pray for Him to come soon (Second Advent).
- Print and complete the activity page below. Find words in the word search that reminds us of Jesus' birth.
WORSHIP GUIDE FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN (6TH GRADE OR OLDER)
Song
Watch Matt Maher's video of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," and sing along as a family.
Lord's Supper
Read through the Lord's Supper card and if appropriate, take the Lord's Supper as a family.
Luke 2:22-38
In this passage Joseph and Mary take Jesus to the temple to be dedicated and they encounter two Jews who were waiting on God’s promise for Israel: Simeon and Anna. Let’s listen to this encounter (take turns reading these paragraphs).
Devotion
The first encounter was with Simeon, a man who feared God and was led by the Holy Spirit. He was guided to see Jesus and identify him as the Messiah. The Messiah was the nameless hero who was predicted to come in the Old Testament to save Israel. What would he save them from? Their sins, their guilt from their sin, and their hard-heartedness toward God. What is amazing is that Simeon understood early on that Jesus wasn’t only coming to rescue Jews, but also the whole world (“the Gentiles”).
Next up was Anna, who was worshipping in the temple. She was eighty-four, but that didn’t stop her! While worshipping, Anna heard who Jesus was and responded in just the right way. The passage said: “She gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem...” We learn from Simeon about who Jesus was (the Messiah, the hero of the old testament) and we learn from Anna how we should react. We should thank the Father for sending his Son, Jesus, and we should share him with all who are aching for hope in our community. More than any gift we can give or receive this season, God’s gift of Jesus will satisfy and bring joy!
-Author, Bronson Simmons
Reflection Questions
- How has Jesus' coming to earth changed your life?
- Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus' coming?
Prayer
Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to love us by being born into our brokenness, living in perfect obedience to the father, dying for our sins and then rising three days later. Please work in our hearts so that we respond with worship like Anna by being thankful and sharing the good news with others. May we treasure the gift of your Son Jesus more than the trinkets the world distracts us with. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
