Scripture: Luke 2:1–40
Our journey through the life of Christ this semester has hopefully helped us become more careful readers of Scripture, growing in understanding that the world of Jesus was a different culture, time, and space, and even had a different spiritual outlook.
The same is true as we view the Christmas story. Our understanding of it will change because our image of Christmas has been more informed by our artwork than by biblical texts.
So, today we will examine the Incarnation of Jesus in three parts: the family of Jesus, the birth of Jesus, and the consequence of Jesus. And, as usual, we will view each of these parts within the world, cultural, historical, and spiritual contexts of Jesus’ day.
Question: How does today’s teaching impact your understanding of who Jesus is to you?
Family Chat: As a family activity, design and build a nativity scene based on today’s description of Jesus’ birth. (It doesn’t have to be elaborate! Shoeboxes work great!)
Take Action:Meet with your life group (whether in person or online) to talk through the questions you’ve answered this week and the challenges you have faced (or are still facing!) as you follow Jesus. Be honest about what’s worked for you, as well as areas where you may have missed the mark.
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Scripture: Luke 1:68-79
As she walks us through Zechariah’s prophecy, Heather Hoyt teaches that this moment comes on the heels of 400 years of discouragement for the people of Israel, who wonder, “Will Messiah ever come? Will we ever see the deliverance of the Lord from our oppressors?” They doubted that He would ever come for them.
The root of doubt and disbelief is fear, the currency of the enemy. Heather admonishes that the enemy’s purpose in using fear against God’s people is to silence them, to get the Church to shut her mouth. Conversely, when the Spirit of God fills His people—even in the darkest of seasons—the world is perplexed, wondering how God’s people can be filled with encouragement, power, peace, and confidence, speaking words of life like rivers of living water!
If this season has been discouraging to you, remember that there was a people group, a whole nation, with whom you can identify: the children of Israel longing for Messiah. But rather than lose hope, rejoice! Emmanuel has come for you. Emmanuel is with you.
Question: Have you been discouraged lately? Have you been able to vulnerably talk with the Lord about this discouragement, as well as with someone you trust?
Family Chat: Take turns sharing about things you’re thankful for. Make a game of it, seeing who can “out-thank” the rest! (Of course, emphasize that in this game, everyone wins when thankfulness, encouragement, and joy are the inevitable outcome!)
Take Action: Spend time today rejoicing, thanking God for His goodness, and welcoming more of His presence in your daily life. Create a “thankful list” and make it as long as you possibly can! Thank the Lord throughout the day today for the things you wrote down. And keep going until JOY hits your heart, and even after that!
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Scripture: Luke 2:1-7
God came into this world in a very natural way. Too often, we Christians try to find God coming in supernatural and sky-splitting extravaganza. We even look at our own lives and believe that to be a really good Christian means we have to have extraordinary experiences.
But being a follower of the Lord means living our ordinary lives in an extraordinary way. Marc reminds us today what the birth of Jesus is about: In the midst of chaos, God is with us in the most common and ordinary ways, and He wants us to be the same for others.
Question: In what ways can you live your ordinary life in an extraordinary way?
Is there an area in your life today that you’re honestly just tired of it being the “same-old same-old,” whether it’s the same defeat day-in and day-out, the same conflict that never seems to resolve, or something else that doesn’t seem victorious to you? This is an area you can ask Jesus to break through for you!
Prayer Starter: If you need breakthrough in any area of your life, spend some time today praying through Scripture, as the Lord leads you. Suggested verses: 2 Samuel 5:20; Isaiah 54:17; Micah 2:13; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 9:8, 10:4; Ephesians 6:12, 6:18; Hebrews 4:12.
NLC COMMUNITY TEXT Family Chat: Try “practice conversations” with your kids today. (See today’s blog for an explanation.)
PRACTICE CONVERSATIONS: Do your kids’ ordinary conversations with each other sometimes (or often!) end in arguments? Try “practice conversations” with them. When their dialogue falls apart, instruct them to start the conversation over at the point where they started arguing, explaining that they’re just going to practice seeing if they can end the argument differently.
Give your kids many opportunities to try again until their conversation lands in a place where they can both agree. Suggest to them: “You can either use different words when you respond this time or use the same words but with a different tone of voice.” Each time a child responds, give the other child a moment to think about what they’re going to say before they respond. Practice Conversations take time, but they are well worth the investment!
Take Action: Step aside and let Jesus be Himself through you. When you hear His gentle invitation to serve someone else’s need or bring someone else an encouragement, obey Him.
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Scripture
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:13-14
Today, Pastor Nate King reminds us that Christmas is meant to be a season of remembrance of God revealing His glory through His promised hope of redemption for the world.
When the shepherds are met by that angel, they know someone great has come. Jesus is the culmination of their hope—and not just for those shepherds in the field, but for you and me today. And this culmination has nothing to do with what they could do or what we can do, but only because of what God did.
As God’s adopted children, we are rivers, not reservoirs. The people of God are meant to be beacons of hope in a hard world. So be faithful where you are, not afraid, but anticipating opportunities as they arrive to share with others what Hope has done in you. Point people toward that hope, toward Jesus.
Question: How can you bring God’s promise of hope to someone else’s life today?
Prayer Starter: Jesus, I invite You to shine Your light, Your love, and Your hope through me to others. Help me notice opportunities when others are standing in front of me—not the next day when it’s too late.
Family Chat: With your kids, bake from scratch, decorate, and eat! a batch of Christmas cookies. Talk about what Christmas means to you during this family time.
Take Action: Pay attention to the opportunities that the Lord will faithfully bring your way today. Don’t shrink back in fear when those opportunities do come. Remember, fear can keep us silent; but we are filled with hope, and the people around us need to also know that hope!
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Scripture: Luke 2:25-35
Today, Pastor Hunter Bezet takes us through the story of Simeon, a man God had promised would meet the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He challenges that sometimes developing the kind of unwavering faith like that of Simeon may take a long time, but we must remember that God will fulfill what He promises.
Just as Simeon spent his life waiting for the Messiah, our own seasons of waiting for God’s fulfillment of promises bring with it opportunities to practice remaining steadfast in our righteousness. Even in the waiting, we can be devoted to staying close to the Lord in such a way that it impacts our families and communities, bringing others closer to Him, as well.
Question: How are you leading others by the example of your daily devotion to God? What would your kids, your friends, or coworkers say if they were asked to describe your character? Would they say you love the Lord?
Prayer Starter: Jesus, I submit my life to You, living for You and You alone. Today, I submit my thoughts, my words, and my actions to you. Let all that I think, say, and do today bring honor and glory to Your Name.
Family Chat: Talk about what has been your favorite thing about Life of Christ and what you would like to learn about in 2021.
Take Action: Step aside and let Jesus live through you today. Let Him lead your thoughts, your words, and your actions.
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