LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH: The Second Candle

SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 16:1, 10-13

The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.’ …Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen any of these.’ Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.’ He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.’ Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

LESSON

God has a plan for you. Even when we are young, God sees into our hearts and knows what kind of people we are and what kind of people we will be. Most of the grown-ups who saw David thought he was just a kid who tended the sheep, but while David was still a child God chose him to be king. God’s servant Samuel poured oil on David’s head and anointed him as the future king of Israel. God has a plan for each of us. Not many of us will be rulers, but each of us can serve God in important ways. It’s important to listen for God’s call and to find ways to honor God in our lives.

THINK OR TALK ABOUT

How can you honor God in your life?

PRAYER

God of wisdom, guide us to serve you.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus, light of the world,
John told the people to prepare,
for you were very near.
As Christmas grows closer day by day,
help us be ready to welcome you now.
Amen.