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A Different Kind of Christmas – The Meaning: A Free Advent Lesson

A Different Kind of Christmas – The Meaning: A Free Advent Lesson

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As Christmas day gets closer, we have to make sure that we are staying focused on the real meaning.  Beyond the gifts and decorations and trees, there is a baby who is the hope of the world.

Opening

  1. Christmas has both secular and religious aspects…what are your favorite religious parts of Christmas?

The Meaning of Christmas

Read Isaiah 9:6

  1. In the second half of this passage, Jesus is described as 4 things. What are they?
  1. What does it mean for Jesus to be described as wonderful counselor?
    1. How is it that Jesus serves as a counselor…or advisor…to us?
    2. What are some things that Jesus did or said that helps give you direction in how to live?
  1. To be a Mighty God is to say that even when Jesus faced overwhelming odds against Him, he was able to prevail. Where do we see Jesus as a Mighty God?
  1. Jesus also redefined what it meant to be a Mighty God. Most people expected the Messiah to come as a powerful, military-like person. But Jesus came as a compassionate person who demonstrated God’s love. Can you think of a time that Jesus re-defined what it means to be a Mighty God?
  1. In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus teaches us the Lord’s Prayer. In the original Greek, the first word that is translated to Our Father is “Abba.” Abba literally means “daddy.” It is an affectionate term of a child calling out to his or her father…daddy.
    1. What are some characteristics of a “daddy”?
    2. What does this tell us about Jesus and who Jesus came to the earth to be?
  1. One of the things about a “daddy” is that He is always there, always loves his children, no matter what. Luke 15:11 – 32 (the prodigal son) shows us what this means.
  1. Read Ephesians 2:13 – 18.
  1. In this Ephesians passage we see Jesus being described as the Prince of Peace. Peace here means reconciliation…which means to bring 2 groups of people back together in unity. So Jesus came to reconcile us to each other and to God.
    1. What does it mean to be reconciled us to each other?
    2. What does it mean to be reconciled to God?
  1. Read Romans 5:8
    1. This passage tells us that even though we were sinners, Jesus died for us. Meaning, Jesus did not wait for us to “be good enough” before dying on the cross for our sins. Why do you think this is so important?
    2. If we think about reconciling with others even when they don’t necessarily deserve it…what does this look like in our lives?

Closing

Close by having people share what Christmas means to them.

Share prayer requests about what they hope for their own lives and those around them during this Christmas.

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