The Day After Christmas

Main Thought

Christmas is a happy time and a welcome “conclusion” to a busy year and an even busier holiday season. After all the parties and shopping, we just want to take a moment to…. Relax. After all the gifts are opened and the space underneath the tree is empty, what’s next? What happens after Christmas is one of the most important part of our Christianity. The message of Christmas isn’t just for December! It’s a perpetual message meant to be shared throughout the year. What will you do with the timeless message of Jesus coming to earth? There are three main things we can do:

Ponder: Reflect the meaning of the event and the gift.

Praise: Celebrate the gift.

Proclaim - Celebrate the giver and share Him with others.

Main Passage

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

- Isaiah 53:5-6

17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Luke 2:17-20

Discussion Questions

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

2. Which of the three main responses to Christmas (listed above) do you do most naturally?

3. Which of the three main responses to Christmas (listed above) can you be more intentional about doing?

Christmas - It's Time!

Main Thought

Ask any parent and they will tell you that they are very familiar with the phrase: “It’s time!” After nine months of carrying a baby in the womb, there’s a moment when a mother’s body gives the signal that a baby is about to arrive and there’s nothing you can do to stop it! In the book of Isaiah, the prophet spoke of a Messiah that would come to save God’s people. This good news brought hope and expectation, but the Jewish people had to wait a while. Finally, almost 1800 years later, it was time! God fulfilled Isaiah’s prophesy and executed His plan to save the world by sending Immanuel (God with us). It’s Christmas; it’s time to reflect on Jesus - who came to be with you.  Let’s make it about God. It’s not about presents; it’s about God’s presence. God wants to be present in each of our individual lives.

Main Passages

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 

- Isaiah 7:14

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. 

- Matthew 1:23

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

- Hebrews 4:15

Discussion Questions

1. At Christmas, we remember that God sent His Son Jesus to be born and live as a Man. What can the Christmas story teach us about God?

2. What are you doing, or what can you do, to make sure God is present in your holiday celebrations this year?

3. Is God present in your life this holiday season? If so, how?

Ready for Lights

Main Thought

Most of us have endured difficult circumstances over the past two years. You might have faced one hard thing after another, or dealt with multiple difficulties at the same time. Distress can rule our days until we find ourselves in a dark place. But God wants to be with us! He wants to bring light into the darkness of our lives. He can be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. God’s light shines brightest when we allow Him to reign. God reigns when He’s our first priority; when He calls the shots; when He is Lord. Does God reign in your life?

Main Passages

21 They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak contemptuously against their king and their God, and turn their faces upward. 22 And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness.

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

- Isaiah 8:21-22; 9:2

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

- Isaiah 7:14

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

- Isaiah 9:6-7

Discussion Questions

1. Does God reign in your internal world: your heart, emotions, thoughts, attitudes, etc.? Why or why not? 

2. Does God reign in your external world: your habits, your time, your schedule, etc.? Why or why not?

3. What practical adjustment can you make to allow God to increase his reign in your life?

The "Altared" Dreams of Joseph

Main Thought

Joseph, the eventual husband of Mary and adopted father of Christ, was a man who had dreams too. The Greek word for his profession, often translated as “carpenter,” would have been more in line with what we call an architect or a general contractor. He would have worked for years to pay a high “bride price” before becoming betrothed to Mary. Then, his betrothed became pregnant! Who would have believed that it was actually an act of God? Joseph was righteous and wanted to send Mary away quietly. But God came to Joseph in a dream and made it clear that His plans were different. Instead of holding onto his goals and plans, Joseph submitted to God and obeyed Him. This obedience likely cost him his reputation; it would have been costly financially, and it cost them their comfort. But Joseph received the great privilege of being involved in God’s mission to save the world through Jesus. If we are willing to “altar” our dreams - place them on a metaphorical altar to God, changing (or altering) our plans to align with God’s purpose - then we’ll eventually find that God’s plans for us are better than our wildest dreams for ourselves.

Main Passages

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was betrothed to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

- Matthew 1:18-25

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passage above?

2. Pastor Brett said: “You need to live long enough to look back and thank God for saying ‘no’ to some things.” Can you look back at your life and thank God for saying “no” to any of your prayers or desires? Why?

3. What dream or plan do you need to offer to God, even if He changes it? What attitude or action step can you take practically as you do this?