Advent at Home: Silent Night
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
8 That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. 9 All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord's glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. 10 But the angel said, “Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. 11 This very day in King David's hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.” 13 Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: 14 “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.”
Luke 2:8-14
Memory Verse
Luke 2:8-9
8 That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. 9 All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord's glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened.
“Quiet!” Mr. Groen said to the children gathered at church to practice for tonight’s Christmas program.
Zoe elbowed the boy next to her and immediately felt terrible. How could she tell him to be silent when she couldn’t quiet her own thoughts? Zoe was anxious about her grades and her parents' fight last night. Nothing inside of her was quiet.
“Shhhhhh! Shhhhhh!” filled the room.
After Mr. Groen had everyone’s attention, he said, “Before we sing, ‘Silent Night,’ how silent do you think it was on that first Christmas night when the shepherds were in the field watching their sheep?”
“Baaaaaaaa!” said Jackson from the back row. “Sheep aren’t quiet!”
Everyone laughed, including Mr. Groen. “You’re right, Jackson,” he said. “Then it got even louder. One angel appeared, and then an angel choir. They sang God’s praises because Jesus was born. It was not silent.”
“Then why sing ‘Silent Night’?” asked Jackson.
“Good question,” said Mr. Groen. “Here’s why. Because Jesus was born and he is here, you can have peace even when everything is loud, scary, and sad. You can tell your anxious thoughts to ‘Shhhhhhh!’ and they will. Here’s how. Think about your biggest worry.”
“Easy!” thought Zoe. “I’ve got lots of worries.”
“Next,” said Mr. Groen, “Put your index finger to your lips and say, ‘Shhhhhh! Jesus is here.’”
Everyone said, “Shhhhhh! Jesus is here.”
Zoe’s worries went silent. Yours can too. Tell your worries to, “Shhhhhh!” Jesus is born. Jesus is with you and loves you. You will be okay.
Prayer
Lord, thank you that Jesus was born. I sing with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When I get worried, help me to “Shhhhh!” my anxious thoughts by remembering that Jesus is here. He is with me and loves me. Amen.Related Resources
Lenae Bulthuis
Lenae Bulthuis wants every child to know who God is and what He says about them. With over 25 years of experience, she has been a women’s conference speaker, authored devotionals and articles, and was a former GEMS Global Curriculum/Content Director. Lenae and her husband, Mike, live on a Minnesota grain and livestock farm. She enjoys spending time with family and always has at least three books on the nightstand.