Second Sunday of Advent
Dec. 6, 2015
“Wax Love| Bethlehem”
Second Candle: Bethlehem (Love)
Ecclesiastes 9:1-10 and Luke 2:1-7
Laurie Wheeler
Review
Last week we compared hope as experienced in “life under the sun” to hope as expressed in the
prophetic writings of Scripture. What promises from Scripture gave you hope this past week?
Introduction
Our focus this week is on love, which is represented by the Bethlehem candle. We will consider the
difference between the limited, this-worldly love illustrated in Ecclesiastes and the limitless, eternal love
that was poured out at Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
Pray
Thank you, Father, for your Word in which you reveal your amazing love. Through our study of these
texts, help us to understand your love more fully and practice it more faithfully.
Read
Ecclesiastes 9:1-10
Discuss
1. One scholar comments that “love” and “hate” in 9:1 refer to God’s favor or disfavor. If that is the
case, what is the essential point that the Teacher makes in this verse?
2. However, the Teacher is sure about one thing. What indisputable claim does he make about
everyone (9:2-3)?
3. In the ancient world, the lion was regarded as a noble beast while dogs were despised. Why then
does the Teacher approvingly quote the popular proverb that “a live dog is better off than a dead
lion” (9:4)? Why is knowing that you will die a good thing (9:5)?
4. In light of the inevitability of death, what does the Teacher recommend (9:7-9)? Why (9:10)?
5. What kind of love does the Teacher have in mind 9:9?
The kind of love that finds pleasure in one’s marital partner is certainly not wrong, but it is limited. Love
as enjoyment of another person represents “under the sun” living. It is a perspective about love that
might characterize someone whose entire frame of reference is this world and this present physical life.
God’s kind of love is bigger.
Read
Luke 2:1-7
Discuss
6. What convergence of events resulted in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem?
7. This story reports the simple facts of what happened at the Incarnation, but it does not explain the
enormous realities behind it. From your knowledge of other Scriptures, discuss what really
happened in Bethlehem.
8. What kind of love was demonstrated in Bethlehem? Contrast this love with the kind of love
discussed in Ecclesiastes 9:9.
Apply
Human love (this-worldly, under-the-sun love) tends to be concerned with receiving—affirmation,
companionship, support, pleasure. Incarnational love (eternal, Bethlehem love) is concerned with
giving—forgiveness, acceptance, hope, life. What can you do this Christmas season to practice the kind
of love that was displayed in Bethlehem?
Pray
Thank you Father for the limitless love that was poured out when Jesus came into our world. Teach us to
love as Jesus loved.