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?

Small is Big

Main Thought

We remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus during the Christmas season. Jesus was born small, but His birth was one of the most significant events in human history. Small things can be very big in God’s Kingdom! God sees and loves people that society might classify as “small” or insignificant. He even sent an angel to announce the birth of His Son to shepherds - who were of low social status in the eyes of their culture. If we ever feel small or insignificant, we can take courage in knowing that God sees us and that He can use us.

God values humility and faithfulness over fame and power. King David, one of the Bible’s most famous shepherds, lived with this faithfulness and humility. He led sheep with consistency and care before God called Him to lead a Kingdom. He did “small” things with excellence and integrity. Still, when the time was right, David used his weapon. David used a simple sling to slay a giant. We can use the gifts, talents, and passions that God gave us too. David threw a stone to slay Goliath - but he also “threw” the name of God. God’s name carries His authority and power. When we pray in the name of Jesus, God can answer in big ways. Let us be faithful in the small things, like David. God sees it all, and He will reward those who faithfully complete the task in front of them.

Main Passages

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

- Luke 2:8-12 NIV

“He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.”

- Psalm 78: 70-72 NIV

“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

- 1 Samuel 17:45 NIV

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Main Passages above?

2. God consistently used “small” people, roles, acts of faith, and more to accomplish big things. (Think of Jesus being born as a baby, David starting out as a shepherd, or small lunches being multiplied and used to feed multitudes.) Why do you think He operates this way?

3. What task (or tasks) did the Lord assign to you in this season of your life? What does successfully continuing or completing that task look like to you?

Christmas Fears

Main Thought

There are a lot of cheerful things present during the Christmas season: trees, lights, gifts, Christmas music, parties, and more. But fear is present too. Fear was even present prior to the advent (or arrival) of Christ. Joseph, the husband of Mary and adopted father of Christ on earth, wrestled with different fears after discovering Mary was pregnant. We might find ourselves in a similar situation. Christmas cheer doesn’t make our fear disappear.

But God gave us a solution to the problem of fear. He gave us the gift of His love; He can make our fear leave. God cares for us and He’s capable of helping us. This is proven by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God’s love requires something from us before we can fully experience and enjoy it though (just like a gift that requires batteries before use). The gift of God’s love requires our trust. We trust in God when we follow His lead and rest in His love. Our experience of His love grows when we trust Him, and it can keep growing until it overwhelms our fears.

Main Passages

'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. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 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. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.'

- Matthew 1:18-25

'There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. '

- 1 John 4:18

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

- ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Discussion Questions

1. Are there any fears you’re facing in this season? Please share them with your group, if you’re able to do so.

2. How can God’s love be a solution to our fears?

3. We exercise our trust in God when we follow His lead (doing things His way) and rest in His love. Which of those two things has been a bigger challenge for you recently? How can you grow in that area practically?

The First Promise

Main Thought

Promises are important. Do you know who made the first promise? The first promise ever made came from God Himself! God made a promise as a direct response to mankind’s sin. He promised that He’d send His Son, Jesus, to repair the damage created by our sin. This would reconcile us to God, and give us the opportunity to be restored to a relationship with Him. We celebrate the coming of Christ, and the fulfillment of the first promise ever made, on Christmas.

Main Passages

“The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.””

- Genesis 3:14-15 ESV

““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

John 3:16-17 ESV

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,”

Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV

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. What do you think can be found in and through a relationship with God?

3. God keeps His promises, and that’s is forever proven by the advent - or the arrival of- of Jesus Christ. How can knowing this truth affect the way you live your life in this season?