Advent 2006 Stories from Bethlehem

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Introduction Jesus was born and lived among us
because God cares about people and how they live.
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To honor Jesus, we will prepare for his birthday
by learning about the people who live in
Bethlehem today.
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Birthday PresentOur gift to Jesus this year
will be to open our hands, to say yes to God as
Mary and Joseph did, and to care for the people
who live in Bethlehem now.
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ReviewFirst we learned about Mary and the women
who live in Bethlehem today.
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Then we learned about Joseph and olive wood
carvers today.
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Last week we learned about the shepherds in
Bethlehem then and now.
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Todays FocusToday we will learn about the wise
men who came to learn about Jesus and the wise
people who come to Bethlehem to learn Gods ways
today.
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The Wise MenThe wise men were those who
followed the star from the East. They came to see
the miracle that happened in Bethlehem.
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They brought the baby Jesus special gifts.
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They worshiped baby Jesus and then went back to
their own countries, praising God for what they
had seen.
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Today the wise people include those who come to
visit Bethlehem and to see the people who suffer
there.
Wise People from Afar
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It is hard to visit Bethlehem. There are
checkpoints that keep some people out and some
people in.
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People wait a long time at checkpoints. Sometimes
Christians who live in Bethlehem cant visit
Jerusalem for Easter celebrations.
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A wall cuts off streets. Some families have
houses on one side of the wall and fields on the
other side. Sometimes they are not allowed to
visit their olive trees or fields and end up
losing their heritage.
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Wise people care about others who are poor and
suffering. They live in a way that is pleasing to
God and help others when they can.
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Coloring PageThis coloring page will help you
remember that wise people learn about God and
care about people.
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Do you want to open your hands and help care for
people who are poor and suffering?
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Please Join in PrayerThanks be to God for the
wise people of Bethlehem. May they care about
others who are poor and suffering. May they feel
Gods love and our love.Salaam/Shalom (peace
in Arabic/Hebrew)
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Adult AdvocacyAdults can be wise people and
offer gifts to the people of Bethlehem.

• Participate in a learning tour or delegation to
  the Middle East. Mennonite Church, Mennonite
  Central Committee and Christian Peacemaker Teams
  provide regular opportunities for North Americans
  who wish to deepen their understanding of the
  region.

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• Learn about and support the work of Zochrot
  (remembering). Zochrot is a grassroots Israeli
  organization that encourages the remembrance and
  acknowledgement of past injustices as a necessary
  step towards the building of a society where
  Israelis and Palestinians live alongside one
  another in peace.

For more information and resources, see Adult
Advocacy handout.
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The people who created these materials

• Christi Hoover Seidel, Peace Development
  WorkerMennonite Central CommitteePalestine
• Cynthia Friesen Coyle, Peace and Justice Support
  Network volunteer
• Susan Mark Landis, Peace Advocate, Mennonite
  Church USA
• Lisa Amstutz, Peace Advocate Secretary, Mennonite
  Church USA
• Esther Epp-Tiessen, Peace Ministries Program, MCC
  Canada
• J. Daryl Byler, Director, MCC Washington Office
• Tim Seidel, Peace Development Worker, MCC
  Palestine.

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Photos and images courtesy of

• www.oneil.com
• www.ascension-research.org
• http//my.execpc.com
• www.chirotoons.com
• www.clipart.com
• http//mhbc.angeltowns.net
• www.wickipedia.com
• Christi Hoover Seidel
• www.sxc.hu
• Susan Mark Landis

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