2. Advent Responsive Reading
Based on Luke 1: (for )
Group 1 Center Section
Group 2 Both Side Sections

3. Group 1: My spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Group 2: Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

4. Group 1: His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
Group 2: He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

5. Group 1: He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.
(Light 4 candles)

7. Why to Egypt and Nazareth?
Matthew 2: 13-23
Why to Egypt and Nazareth?

8. Why to Egypt and Nazareth?
Matthew emphasizes ‘fulfillment narratives’ to show Jesus is the promised Messiah.
Angel urges Joseph to take ‘the child and his mother’ to safety in Egypt (fulfills prophecy).
Evil Herod takes rejecting Jesus to new level!
‘Rachel weeping’ looks back to Jer. 31:15.
After Herod’s death an angel told Joseph to return to Israel, but he knew danger of Herod’s son Archelaus, so not to Judea!

9. Why to Egypt and Nazareth?
Hostility against the Infant Son of God foreshadows later reactions to Jesus.
As in Jer. 31, suffering is not the last word for Jesus…or his followers.
Do we get Matthew’s point? Jesus fulfilled Scripture and prophesies!
“Jesus is who he says he is” so we can trust him, he has saved us and given eternal life!