series art

Christmas is For You

Christmas is a time…

Everyone can look forward to

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ISAIAH 9:6 NLT

Even for people who feel disconnected from God

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” LUKE 2:8-12 NLT

To celebrate the goodness of God

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” LUKE 2:13-14 NLT

To understand why Jesus was born

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. LUKE 2:15-16 NLT

Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. GALATIANS 1:4 NLT

To share the love of Jesus with others

After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, LUKE 2:17-18 NLT

To change my life

But Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. LUKE 2:19 NLT

The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. LUKE 2:20 NLT

… anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place that is free of distractions that will help you become still and think clearly. You may decide to take a walk and enjoy the scenery to help you do this. Take some deep breaths, and when you are ready, ask God to guide your time. Think about Christmas and what it means to you. What thoughts and feelings come to the surface as you reflect? When you consider the fact that Jesus was born to die to rescue you from the fate of this evil world, what does that stir in you? Next, reflect on the ways God has demonstrated His goodness to you this year. Give Him thanks for each blessing that comes to your mind. Discuss with Him areas in which He wants to transform you in the new year and help you follow Him in making these changes. Consider people you know who are missing out on the blessing of knowing God and recall what God has done to make your life better that you could share with them. Ask God for opportunities to share with them how God has blessed you. Close your time by praising God and thanking Him for allowing His Son to be born and to die for you so you may enjoy the presence of Jesus now and always.

Discussion Questions

Leader’s Note: Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or, have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section that they feel led to respond to.

  1. GET STARTED: What is your favorite Christmas song, and why?
  2. GET STARTED: Which personal Christmas memory stands out the most to you?
  3. GET STARTED: How (or where) has God been good to you this year?
  4. KEEP GOING: What causes people to feel disconnected from God–what causes you to feel disconnected from God?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Isaiah 9:6 (NLT). As you consider these attributes of Jesus, which of these do you need the most right now?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Galatians 1:4 (NLT). What images come to mind when you consider these words as they relate to your life personally?
  7. LIVE IT OUT: Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT). If you could snap your fingers and experience immediate change in one area of your life, what would you choose? Since we can’t do that, what’s one step you can take to begin to see change?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: How could believing and embracing that God is literally with us change how we think and live each day?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Who in your life could you pray for this week who needs to know the true meaning of Christmas and experience the rescue Jesus offers?