Advent Week 2: Wednesday

Family Scripture Readings:

Matthew 2:16-18

Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male
children who were in
Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING, RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN; AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED, BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE."

Jeremiah 31:15

Thus says the LORD, "A voice is heard in Ramah,
Lamentation and bitter
weeping Rachel is weeping for her children; She refuses to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more."

Family Application /Family Craft Project: Create a Bethlehem experience for the entire family.  Set up a few merchant booths (table with supplies on it) and have everyone pretend to buy their breakfast and school supplies for the day.  Put a sign on a door that says “Welcome to Bethlehem, Home of King David.”  On another door put a sign that says “Bethlehem, House of Bread”  and another “Bethlehem Inn, King David Slept Here.”  Have the kids decorate the signs and pick where to place them. 

An example of a gift: There are people in our neighborhoods, in our church, and in our community who need to know of God's love. Select someone to visit today. Visit electronically or by phone or in person. Go as a family or by yourself. It doesn't necessarily have to be a visit to a home. Maybe there is someone who waits on you at the grocery store. Stop by today and talk with that person. Tell the person you visit one way he or she makes you feel loved.

The name Bethlehem means house of bread. Bread was eaten every day in Bible times.  Mary and Joseph probably packed bread to take with them on their journey to Bethlehem.