Arrival
There’s nothing like the suspense of anticipation. Sometimes the wait seems like it lasts forever—like a child waiting for Christmas to finally arrive. When Jesus was born that first Christmas, the world had been waiting hundreds of years. But now for all of us, the wait is over. Our Savior has arrived!
Discussion Questions
What do you think leads to the commercialization and consumerism of the Christmas season? Why is the introduction of Jesus into the holiday uncomfortable for many people?
Why is it reasonable to trust the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus Christ? Read the following passages and summarize your insights about Jesus from these verses: Micah 5:2, Isaiah 7:14, Psalm 41:9 and Isaiah 53:1-12.
Why did Jesus come to earth? Why do you need a savior? Read John 3:16-17 and 1 John 4:10 and explain the details.
What role can you play in helping others understand the true meaning of Christmas? Why does it make sense to tell the Christmas story throughout the year? What is the relationship of Christmas to Easter?
Christmas is a season of lights. In what way is Jesus the light of the world? Read John 1:4. How does His light shine in and through your life?
If you could make a Christmas wish, what would it be?
Day 5: Treasure With Us
But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19 (ESV)hristmas tends to make me a little… grumpy. I don’t like endings and I abhor goodbyes. As an angsty teen, I began to sense frustration with the inescapable fact...
Day 4: Healing With Us
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 (NASB)he plan was to be home by...
Day 3: United With Us
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our...
Day 2: Home With Us
Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ Matthew 2:23 (NLT)hen I think of Christmas, I think of home. Home is a place we all long for and sometimes cannot...
Day 1: Present With Us
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory. John 1:14a (ESV)he cold night air frosted my breath as my chore boots crunched across the snowy farmyard. On my way toward the goat barn, I paused to look up at the crisp,...
Light of Joy
The wise men followed the light of a star toward Jesus. Have you ever wondered how they decided to make that long journey following light from a star and who these wise men were? Maybe you have more in common with them than you realize. How could responding to God’s...
Week 4: The Light of Joy
Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. Ecclesiastes 11:7 (ESV)s I walked along the dry-stone wall, the last rays of sunlight gasped a final breath before disappearing behind the scenic peak in the distance. It wasn’t even...
Week 3: The Light of Love
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV) ecently, I was tidying my house when one of my six-year-old’s ‘masterpieces’ accidentally found its way into the trash. A meltdown ensued, partly...
Week 2: The Light of Peace
Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, To shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78-79 (NASB)his trail sure looks different in...
Week 1: The Light of Hope
Dark Nights, Faithful GodAll of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ Matthew...