FORUM

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel (God with us).” Isaiah 7:14 Artists: Write the name “Immanuel” in big letters in the middle of your page. Then with colors, other words and/or images, fill in around the name to make it come alive to today. Writers: Take a moment to express in prose or poetry why the name "Immanuel" is important to you … especially as you reflect on this past year.

An angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and the glory of the Lord shone all around. … And the angel said, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:9-11) Artists: Think on these three words: angel, light, joy. Then choose one or any combination to create your visual response. Writers: Write a one-paragraph description of the shepherds’ experience as if you are one of them. Write this description either in prose or in poetic form.

The second candle in the Advent wreath is often called the “Bethlehem Candle”. “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too insignificant to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His times of coming forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2 Artists: God is notorious for using the ordinary and insignificant (places, people, objects … even time) to accomplish His redemptive story. Choose one of the "insignificant" and ordinary visuals of the Bethlehem story that speaks to you most and:  sketch, paint, scribble, collage.... well, you get the idea :>) Writers: With this verse as your prologue, write the first paragraph of a story that takes place in Bethlehem in the weeks before Jesus is born.