Nativity of the Lord – Christmas

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Let this Christmas season

be eclipsed by Your Son, Jesus.

May I find peace in the things

that don’t go the way I want them to.

May I give thanks for what I have

without comparing it to others.

Let the wonder of His love

be shown in my words and actions.

Not only towards others

          but towards myself as well.

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 62:11-12

• What reward does Jesus bring to you this season?
• How do you hold remembrance for loved ones, especially during Christmas?

Titus 3:4-7

• The birth of Jesus can be a metaphor for many things; what will it be in your life this year?
• Jesus’ birth is an opportunity for you be renewed. How might you be renewed?
• What has been poured out into your life this past year? Write a prayer about it.

Luke 2:15-20

• Where or from whom did you first hear about Jesus? Do you remember what you thought or how you felt? Explain.
• What message do you share about Jesus’ coming? Give a specific example.

General Questions for Journaling

• Identify things in your home that proclaim your faith. Are they there only during Christmas or all year around?
• What gift do you want Jesus to bring you this Christmas?
• Make a promise to yourself (tie a ribbon on your pinky finger as a reminder) that when you encounter a difficult person/conversation/situation where you’d normally engage in a negative way, to instead show mercy, kindness, or walk away.
• Choose one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to focus on. Either choose one for the entire year or pick one per month to focus on increasing in your life.
• Where can you be light for someone this season?
• Is there a situation in your life that you’ve been hiding; what does shining a light on it do? Consider if it is time to do so.
• What is your favorite childhood memory about Christmas?
• What tradition/traditions have you carried from your childhood that you still participate in today?
• Do you have a nativity scene? What does it look like? Where did you get it?  ow is it displayed? Describe what it means to you.
• When you reflect on the nativity scene, where do you picture yourself?
• If you were there when Jesus was born, what would you say to Mary and Joseph?
• How do you feel about the story of Jesus’ birth?
• How is Jesus’ birth similar and different from any birth? Explain.
• What song or songs of the season do you need to listen to so you feel the Christmas spirit?

Closing Prayer – Psalm 97

Leader:  A light will shine on this day

ALL:  the Lord is born.

Leader:  The Lord is king

ALL:  let all the earth rejoice.

Leader:  The heavens proclaim

ALL: the glory of this baby king.

Leader:  Light dawns and justice reigns

ALL:  there is peace and gladness.

Leader:  Give thanks to His holy name

ALL:  give thanks and praise.

Leader:  A light will shine on this day

ALL:  the savior is born!

Challenge for the Week:  Christmas is filled with family traditions and celebrations.  One of those traditions may include going to Church, but is that the only way you celebrate Jesus’ birthday?  Think about the family traditions you have when you celebrate a birthday of someone in your family?  What do you do?  Who do you invite to celebrate?  How do you make the person feel special?  What do you do for a friend when it is their birthday?  How can you do the same for Jesus?  What family traditions do you have, or can you start to celebrate Jesus’ birthday?  Who can you invite to be a part of the celebration?  How do you make Jesus feel special at the birthday party?  Take time to plan out how you will celebrate Jesus’ birthday this year!

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