The Real, Not Ideal Christmas

Main Thought

A lot of people think of Christmas as “the most wonderful time of the year.” But a real Christmas typically isn’t an ideal Christmas. Surprisingly, this can be a great way to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The advent (or arrival) of Jesus was far from perfect too. God used imperfect people as a part of His perfect plan. Joseph and Mary were betrothed, though not fully married. This likely created major issues for them. Christ’s birth was chaotic, not comfortable. Mary conceived as a Virgin. Then, Joseph and Mary needed to travel about 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem for a census - just before Mary gave birth. Jesus didn’t come to live in a comfortable palace and issue commands from a distance. He was born to provide salvation through His own suffering. In spite of all of this, Jesus fully complete everything He set out to do. We can find completion and fullness in Jesus, even when life - or Christmas - isn’t ideal.

Main Passages

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

- Matthew 1:18-19

20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:20-21

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

- Matthew 1:22-25

Discussion Questions

  1. Share one thing that stood out to you from the Main Thought, Main Passages, or the devotional reading from this week.

  2. Is there anything keeping your Christmas celebrations from being ideal this year? What is it?

  3. The first-ever Christmas was far from perfect, but great joy came through Jesus anyway. How can God help you find joy in Him?