Christmas: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: An Advent Study for Adults

By Richard B. Wilke

In this four-week Advent study, author Richard B. Wilke focuses on people in the story of Christ’s birth. There are those we associate with the joy and celebration of Christmas—the wise men, the shepherds, and Joseph. Yet the author reminds us not to forget that the evil King Herod is also part of the Christmas story, and how it is because there is evil in our world that we so desperately needed—and need—a Savior.

Each lesson includes a key scripture, brief reflection, questions to discuss, a suggested Christmas carol, and a prayer.

Table of Contents:

First Week of Advent
Let’s Keep Herod in Christmas (Matthew 2:1, 7-8, 16-18)

Second Week of Advent
Let’s Keep the Wise Men in Christmas (Matthew 2:1-12)

Third Week of Advent
Let’s Keep Joseph in Christmas (Matthew 1:18-25; 2:13-15, 19-23)

Fourth Week of Advent
Let’s Keep the Shepherds in Christmas (Luke 2:8-20)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Release date: Oct 1, 2010
• ISBN: 9781426733499

Richard B. Wilke

Richard B. Wilke is author of And Are We Yet Alive? and Signs and Wonders, and co-author of DISCIPLE Bible Study, all published by Abingdon Press. He is a popular keynote speaker and preacher who stresses evangelism and the vitality of the local church. Bishop Wilke lives with his wife, Julia, in Winfield, Kansas, where he is Bishop-in-Residence at Southwestern College.

Book preview

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An Advent Study for Adults

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Richard B. Wilke

Abingdon Press

Nashville

CHRISTMAS

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

Copyright © 2010 by Abingdon Press

All rights reserved.

No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission can be addressed to Abingdon Press, P.O. Box 801, 201 Eighth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37202-0801, or e-mailed to [e-mail].

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Wilke, Richard B., 1930-

Christmas—the good, the bad, and the ugly : an Advent study for adults / Richard B. Wilke.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-0-687-66034-6 (trade pbk. : alk. paper)

1. Advent—Meditations. I. Title.

BV40.W52 2010

242'.33—dc22

2010016244

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19—10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CONTENTS

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Introduction

First Week of Advent

Let's Keep Herod in Christmas

Second Week of Advent

Let's Keep the Wise Men in Christmas

Third Week of Advent

Let's Keep Joseph in Christmas

Fourth Week of Advent

Let's Keep the Shepherds in Christmas

INTRODUCTION

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CHRISTMAS IS SO SPECIAL!

Central to the sacred ceremony, of course, stands the birth of our Savior. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders (Isaiah 9:6 NIV). Every birth is important, but the One who healed the sick, fed the hungry, and held children in his arms, the One who died on the cross for our sins and for the sins of the whole world—his birth must be celebrated with celestial joy and reverential awe.

Our faith demands that we focus on the birth of our Lord Jesus at Christmas. Do you remember when George Beverly Shea used to sing Put Christ Back into Christmas? Amid the swirl of Christmas tree ornaments and the frenzy of holiday shopping, that song reminds us to keep our central focus on the Babe of Bethlehem.

But I have also discovered that the people and events encircling the holy birth have powerful spiritual meanings of their own. Not only do we kneel before the manger in faithful adoration of our Savior, but we notice those persons surrounding the blessed baby: shepherds and wisemen, Mary and Joseph, angels and the innkeeper—even the evil King Herod—and we learn from them too.

Years ago, as pastor of a downtown city church, I talked with Sunday school teachers and youth workers who were worn out with putting on the annual Christmas pageant. They were weary of fussy babies and restless children, tired of boy shepherds dueling like the three musketeers with their shepherds' crooks during practices. They abandoned the simple children's Christmas program—laid it to rest. They said, "Let