Session 4 - Wise Men, Simeon, and Anna: Recognizing the Promise Fulfilled

WEEK 4: December 17-23

Objectives

1. to hear again the stories of the wise men, Simeon, and Anna
2. to understand the sense of promise and divine presence that permeates their stories
3. to practice recognizing Christ in our world and in each other
4. to make Christmas ornaments depicting Christ in our midst
5. to encourage participants to spend time with God each day during Advent by reading the daily entries and Bible readings suggested in The Upper Room

Materials

1. Chalkboard or flipchart
2. Supplies like ribbon, glitter, markers, beads, modeling clay, glue, scissors, tape,
   construction paper, pipe cleaners, odds and ends, etc.
3. Old magazines, especially news magazines (tear out disturbing pictures if young
   children are part of your group)
4. A cardboard matchbox or similar small box for each — small enough to use
   as a Christmas ornament when decorated. They can be of different sizes
   and shapes.
5. Gifts, glasses, and a cell phone to use as props
6. The Upper Room daily devotional guide

Opening

Leader says (answers/directions in parentheses): “The people we have read about so far each had a clear annunciation, though all were different. Mary was visited by _________(Gabriel). Joseph was visited by another angel in a ___________ (dream). And the shepherds were approached by not only one but a sky filled with _______________ (angels). All of them responded to God’s announcement by turning toward God, no matter how anxious or overwhelmed or surprised they felt. They recognized God’s presence and calls.

“Learning to see God in our lives is often a matter of remembering to look for God’s presence in ordinary people and situations. When we look for God, that can change the way we approach life every day. (Direct participants to group themselves in threes or fours for the review of the week’s meditations The Upper Room and give them a few minutes to look back over this week’s meditations.) Direct them to discuss these questions: Where do you see people looking at daily situations differently because they become aware of God? How could you follow the example of one of these writers?

“This week, we will look at some other stories about people who knew who Jesus was very early in his life — even while he was still a baby. These people didn’t have the terror and glory of annunciations from angels. But they had something else that let them know who Jesus was. Their announcement came from other places. Here are their props. (Put these out along with Mary’s candle, Joseph’s boots, and the shepherd’s headgear.) Let’s read their stories and see what happened.”

Scripture reading: Divide participants into groups of three readers. Make sure there’s at least one adult or youth in each group. Give each group the following three scripture passages, and ask them to read them aloud quietly in their small group.

• Wise men: Matthew 2:1-12
• Simeon: Luke 2:25-35
• Anna: Luke 2:36-38

Discussion: While they are reading, write this question on the board:

In these stories, what leads each person to recognize God’s presence in Jesus?

Invite discussion in the groups. People will name the star and the prophecy for the wise men; the Holy Spirit and God’s promise for Simeon. As for Anna, apparently she’s so intuitively aware of God’s presence that she simply knows.

Then ask them to discuss these questions in their groups:

How do you recognize the presence of Christ?

What do you do when you understand that Christ is present?

Encourage discussion to continue as long as people want to talk. Look at the gifts, glasses, and cell phone and discuss why the wise men, Simeon, and Anna could be represented by these. Invite people to share with the larger group any insights they might wish to talk about regarding the “messengers” who communicate other announcements of Christ’s presence. (Ideas might include nature; acts of kindness, forgiveness, self-sacrifice, and love; music; scripture and study; suffering; joy, etc.)

Making the boxes:

Leader says (directions in parentheses): “We’re going to make a kind of Christmas ornament based on our discussion. Here is a box for each of you, and a stack of magazines and supplies to work with.

“Think of the box as a kind of manger. Inside it, make or find some image that represents (to you) the living Christ in your heart as one way God is here among us. On the outside of the box, draw or find and attach images that express ways in which you perceive Christ alive and present in the world.

“If you wish, attach a ribbon so you can hang your box on your Christmas tree.
If you don’t have time to finish, you can take home the materials you need to complete the box.

“You’re welcome to talk with other people about designs and ideas as you work on your boxes.

“While you work on your boxes, listen to this story from The Upper Room. This is the meditation for December 20. It is about heading into our own spiritual Bethlehem, and carrying, like Mary, the life of God within us.”

(Read the meditation.)

Ask: How is God revealed to us in the lives of people we know?
What is God asking of us this advent season as we travel our "road to Bethlehem"? (Allow time for group members to comment.)

Closing Prayer: “Greathearted God of Christmas, thank you for your son Jesus, the Light of the world. Give us the courage to follow your star and the grace to recognize you when we see you. Amen.”