God Reminds His People of His Promises

Say: God made a promise about the coming Savior to the very first people, Adam and Eve. Eve remembered this promise. Some Bible teachers, including Martin Luther, believe that Eve thought her first-born son Cain was the promised Messiah. Instead, he turned out to be the first murderer. But God’s people continued to believe and to wait.  Years and centuries passed – God used the prophets to remind His people of the promises.

The Bible Reading

Read Isaiah 7:10-14    

Say: Immanuel means “God with us”. Can you think of a time when God was close to you?  

Ask: How is God with us today?

Say: It is good to remember that God promised to always be with us. We can trust that promise, even when we feel like God isn’t there.

The Second Bible Reading

Read Isaiah 9:2-7  

Ask: What kinds of darkness do people walk/live in?

Ask: Who is the great Light that shines in the darkness? (Jesus)

Say: The Bible verses list several names for Jesus: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. What is your favorite name of Jesus from this list (or other places)?

The Song

The song “Immanuel” by Michael Card uses ideas from both of these Bible passages. Listen for them.  We will listen to the verses and sing along with the refrain:

                     Immanuel, Our God is with us.

                     And if God is with us who could stand against us.

                     Our God is with us. Immanuel.

The Activity

Here are two different ideas:

Make a candle. Take a jar. Using something like Modge Podge (or even watered down glue), attach pieces of colored tissue paper to the jar. Write “Jesus is the Light of the World” on a plain piece of paper and glue this on to the jar as well (you could also choose to write one of the names of Jesus). Or you could wait until the jar dries and write this on directly with a permanent marker. Put a tea light inside.

Create a light-up sign using poster board and a string of Christmas lights or fairy lights. Write one of the names of Jesus on the poster board.  Then punch small holes all along the name that you have written. Carefully push the Christmas lights through the holes. Plug in the strand of lights, dim the room lights, and see the name in lights. You might even use this as a window decoration.