Month: December 2018

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?  Whether yes or no, I have one can’t-miss gift giving idea for you.  It has to do with a gift we can give God.  But why would God need a gift from us?  He is God after all and he has access to whatever he wants.  Stay tuned to find out.

Today’s verse is from Luke 1:48-49:

From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.

In this passage, Mary rejoiced that she, a humble woman of little means, would be chosen to give birth to Jesus.  God literally can do anything.  And He wants to do things for us.  But before He does so, He wants something from us.

Before we reveal what that is, one more thought…..think about the greatest thing burdening you right now.  Maybe it is family turmoil or career stress.  Maybe it is your health or a conflict with a friend.  Take just a little time and think of one thing that is troubling you deeply.

Now for the gift: take 5 minutes and give that burden to God.  That’s it.  Just give it to God.  But don’t just say something like “God, this thing is really bothering me.  Please help me.”.  That’s just checking a box, not really and truly giving it to God completely.

Giving it up sounds something like this: “God, I’m really struggling with [insert your issue] and I want to give it to you.  I mean it.  I’m really giving it to you.  Not just so you will relieve me of the burden but because I want you to know I trust you.  I want you to know that you are MY King and I’ve given my life to you.  I will let go of the wheel because I know you are in control.  I may not immediately agree with or understand where it goes from here if I give up control because I don’t fully know your plan for me.  But I do know that one day I’ll look back with gratitude for the paths where you have lead me.  It is not going to be easy for me but You already know that.  Wherever you lead, I will follow.  I know that your plan for my life is perfect even though I get distracted frequently and follow different paths.  Please release me completely from the burden of [insert your issue] just as I release it completely into your loving hands.”

That’s the kind of prayer you say when you are REALLY serious about giving it up to God.  And to God, that is the perfect gift you can give Him this Christmas.

Questions:

1. Do you agree that God cherishes the gift of turning our burdens over to him?  Why or why not?
2. How good are you about truly giving things up to God?  Is God your pilot, your co-pilot, or sitting somewhere in the back?
3. If you are comfortable sharing with the group, what is something you need to turn over to God?
4. When you turn something over to God does that mean you check-out completely and never think about it again?

Last week we talked about Advent and the importance of focusing our minds on the true meaning of the Christmas season.  This week, we’ll discuss the importance of being present and how the word “present” can have a double meaning this time of year.

Today’s verse is from 1 Chronicles 16:11

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

While some of us have year-end deadlines, for many of us, our calendars start to open up a little this time of year – at least for a few days around Christmas and New Year’s Day.  And when we experience some free time on our calendar around Christmas, we have two options – 1) fill it up with the busy-ness of the season or 2) slow down and live in the moment.

When we say “live in the moment” what does that mean?  Do we need to start a meditation practice?  Or, like Henry David Thoreau, head out to spend some time in the woods by ourselves?  Maybe…..but for those of us with loved ones, a better answer might be to just BE with them.  Maybe we should just hang out with our loved ones and friends this time of year with absolutely nothing to accomplish other than to offer them the gift of our presence.  This is an intentional act but one with no expectations or goals.

So when you think about gift giving this time of year, consider the idea that quality-time (and quantity-time) spent with your loved ones may be the greatest gift you can offer.  Our presence may be best Christmas present of all.

Questions:

1. Is it difficult for you to live in the moment and simply be present?
2. What challenges challenge our ability to let our minds settle?
3. Do you have any good stories about taking the time to be present and how that worked out?
4. What are the potential negative consequences of living life somewhere other than the present?
5. What advice would you give someone who is struggle to “live in the moment”?

[Thanks to cbn.com for much of the content for today’s lesson.]

Today’s lesson is about Advent which been celebrated by Christians since the 7th century A.D.  Beginning four Sundays before Christmas, its purpose is twofold: first, it prepares us for the celebration of the birth of Christ and second, it reminds us that we are eagerly waiting for Jesus’ return in glory.

The word “advent” means coming to. Advent is the time when we focus on Christ coming to the world.

“Prepare the way of the Lord” serves as a main theme of this season. As we get ready for Christmas, we should prepare our lives for Jesus, who came as “the light of the world.”  Today we need to be prepared for the coming of Christ.  Be ready and watchful, for the light of the world has come and will surely come again.

So why do most days in Advent feel like just another day for most of us?  Shouldn’t we be at least as excited as we would be for the Super Bowl or SEC Championship kickoff?  Of course the answer is “yes” and that hits very close to home for me and for many of us.

Like clockwork this time of year, I’m obsessed with materialism when I should be focused on coming of Christ like I should be.  I get fired up about a 60 inch tv for $299 and on filling up everyone’s stockings so they think I’m generous.  But what about the two comings of Jesus – the one two thousand years ago and the one to come?

No guilt intended.  We SHOULD enjoy the season and all of the big sales and filling stocking for everyone…..AND also focus on the coming of Jesus too.  Like everything else, it is not complicated but it requires us to be intentional.  Here are some questions to help us move in that direction:

1) Do you find yourself being more focused on the materialism of the season than on the true meaning of Christmas?

2) Growing up, was your family’s Christmas focused on Christ or primarily on Santa & presents?

3) Does your family today have any traditions that help put the “Christ in Christmas”?

4) What about Christmas brings you joy and why?

5) Advent is about God coming to us.  What can you do during this season to make Him welcome?