OBJECTIVE: From Genesis on, the birth of the Messiah was prophesied. The goal of this unit is to discover those prophecies and to learn about the fulfillment of them - the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, what we as Christians believe, and what we should share with others about it. This unit will not include math or science. Those subjects will need to be supplemented.
WEB RESOURCES:
Advent Site
Noah Webster 1828 online searchable dictionary
OTHER RESOURCES:
You may use your dictionary, encyclopedia, computer encyclopedia, Bible, concordance, the web, or any other resources available to you.
VOCABULARY: Write the definitions for the following words.
- Prophecy
- Immanuel
- Census
- Messiah
- Christ
- Bethlehem
- Carol
- Advent
This is a four day unit study, so it may be intense but it can be done.
DAY 1:
- What is an Advent wreath? Look this up on the internet or in an encyclopedia to learn its history and purpose. Find out if there are any traditional activities during Advent.
- Make an Advent wreath, using natural materials you find in your yard. In place
of real candles, use paper tubes, construction paper, and other craft items to
make "candles".
- Each week have a devotional and use the wreath you have made as
the centerpiece.
DAY 2:
Using a Concordance or computer Bible software, look up verses which tell of a
prophesied Messiah.
- Key words:
- a child
- a son
- virgin
- son of God
- redeemer
-
Bethlehem.
You might think of others as well.
-
Re-write the verses in your own words, making sure to tell the address of the
verses.
- Using a printable map, locate and color the area around Bethlehem and Nazareth.
- Follow the trail of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, then on to
Egypt. Then, retrace their journey from Egypt back to their home, as told in
the Bible. (Matthew and Luke) Use a different color for each activity and note
them in the map’s legend.
- Determine how many miles each trip was, and how many miles total they had to
travel.
- How far might they have traveled in one day? How long could each trip have
taken?
DAY 3:
Answer the following questions. You may use your Bible, the internet,
the encyclopedia, or any other resources necessary to learn the answers. Write
in complete sentences, making note of proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
- Why was there a need for a Messiah?
- What sort of Savior did the Jews expect?
- We know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Where did the Pharisees think He came
from?
- Who was the Roman ruler when Jesus was born?
- What government even preceded the birth of Jesus?
- What did Herod have done after he learned of the birth?
- Find the Old Testament verse that is referred to in the passage about this deed.
- How is it that Jesus, born of a woman, could have pure blood with no sinful
nature? (See Luke’s gospel.)
DAY 4:
Read the account of Jesus’ birth in Matthew 2.
- According to what you have read,
try to determine how old Jesus might have been when the wise men visited Him.
-
Citing verses, give reasons why you have come to this conclusion.
-
While the secular world sees Santa Claus in Christmas, what one thing that
affects our daily lives is impacted by the birth of Christ?
