Christmas Week - Week Five

A couple of these questions are different than the ones given to my church.  While I wanted to keep things more Christmasy for church, in my own space, I do mean to provoke you into deeper thought about what it means to be a Christian, and how the Holy Spirit inspires you from within to be the hands and feet of our Lord here on earth.

Sunday, Dec 18:  Luke 2:1-3  In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  All went to their own towns to be registered.

Question to ponder:  Politicians have always been influential figures in the lives of ordinary people.  How does the Holy Spirit lead you in deciding your political views?  How does the Holy Spirit lead you in sharing those views with others?

Monday, Dec 19:  Luke 2:4-5   Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.  He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 

Question of the day:  Mary was extremely young, and expecting a baby, while traveling for a week with her betrothed husband.  How do you think she felt about having to take that journey?  What do you think Joseph thought about?  Would they have traveled alone, as we commonly see depicted in art and literature, or do you think they traveled with family members who also had to be counted?  How do you think their families felt about their situation?

Tuesday, Dec 20:   Luke 2:6-7  While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.

Question of the day:  How do you imagine Mary and Joseph felt, being turned away from every dwelling and ending up sleeping with the animals while she was ready to have her baby?  How does the Holy Spirit give us hope when we feel helpless or alone or life seems out of control?

Wednesday, Dec 21:  Luke 2:8-9  Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 

Question of the day:  The shepherds were among the lowest members of society, and yet they were the ones that heard the Good News.  Is there a message for us in that?

Thursday, Dec 22:  Luke 2:10-14  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Question to ponder:  Do you wonder what it must have been like to suddenly see the heavens filled with angels singing?  Why do you think music plays such a big role in spiritual events throughout the Bible?

Friday, Dec 23:  Luke 2:15-18  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”  So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.  When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, 

Question to ponder:  The shepherds found joy in the manger.  Where do you find your spiritual joy?

Saturday, Dec 24:   Luke 2:19-20   and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

Question to ponder:  The shepherds were the first messengers to spread the news of the birth of Jesus, the Messiah.  Do you think they understood the importance of the message they were bringing to the world?  Why or why not?

Prayer for Christmas:

Dearest Lord Jesus, our praise and thanksgiving are inadequate for the sacrifice you made for us by coming to earth in human form, and giving yourself in our place so we could receive God's eternal grace.  As we celebrate your earthly arrival once again, let us be reminded of the debt we can never repay, and reflect the grace and mercy you have shown us by showing grace and mercy towards others.  Help us to reflect your goodness, to bring peace to those who are troubled, to spread your love to all we meet, and to give joy to those who are weary.  In your name, and with all praise and thanksgiving on this happy day, we ask this.  Amen.