1. Morning Worship Bishop Justus Church of England School Hope Season of Advent 13 th December 2013

2. Gather The Lord be with you And also with you

3. Receive The Lord says, “Bethlehem, Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times.” Micah 5 :2 While there were in Bethlehem….she gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger. Luke 2: 6 & 7

4. What are your hopes? What are your hopes for Christmas? Find out about the situation in Israel today... What do you know about the conflict in the Holy Land? Use the information from the BBC web to fill in any gaps http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special_reports/middle_east_crisis/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special_reports/middle_east_crisis/ What would you hope for if you lived in Israel? What situations seem or feel hopeless to you today? Image of Church of the Nativity this today is an area frequented by many visitors to the Holy Land and is the site where Jesus was thought to be born. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Birthplace_of_Jesus.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Birthplace_of_Jesus.jpg As the image demonstrates in the Church of the Nativity it is possible to step down to the grotto where a metal star in the floor marks the supposed site of Jesus’ birth. How does this contrast to the bible verse from today? Discuss reactions to these contrasting images; the ornate church with the poor, dirty and lowly stable. How like our world are these contrasts? Dostoevsky Wrote ‘totally without hope one cannot live. To live without hope is to cease to live.’ how does this make you feel, what does this tell you about the need for hope? Listen to the words of Christ be our light http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiJrLx41QGs which reminds us that despite everything Jesus Christ brings light to seemingly dark situations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiJrLx41QGs Discuss how Christians understand that Jesus is our Hope? Engage

5. Respond Gracious God, Teach us to live every moment of every day in the light of the eternal hope Jesus Christ who was born for each one us as that Christ-child in the manger. Help us to trust more fully in You and Your promises when all around us seems hopeless. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour Amen.

6. Go Our Lord says I am coming soon. Amen. Come Lord Jesus.