Home For Christmas - Week 2

We all want a feeling of Home for Christmas. Traditions involve all of our senses, and those senses are tied to our memories. It’s the most wonderful time of the year because we are able to recreate and re-member all the people and moments that make the Christmas season. This year will be no different it just may look a bit different.

Discussion Questions
Scripture focus: Luke 2:8-20

We all want a feeling of "Home for Christmas." Traditions involve all of our senses, and those senses are tied to our memories. It’s the most wonderful time of the year because we are able to recreate and re-member all the people and moments that make the Christmas season. This year will be no different it just may look different.

Group Members: Share one of your family’s favorite “Christmas Traditions.”

Group Members: With this year presenting some very unique circumstances, how do you plan to celebrate Christmas with your loved ones?

Group Members: When was the last time that someone just showed up at your house unexpectedly? What were the circumstances and what was that experience like for you and your family?

Depending on how old you are, you may remember times in your life when friends or family would just show up at your house uninvited, simply unexpected and stay for a visit, perhaps even stay for a meal if they showed up at just the right time. Afterall, timing is everything! For years, this was, perhaps the norm for many families and friends.

Well, the times and culture have changed, and with access to cell phones, texting, and calendaring, it has made it a little more unlikely that someone is just going to “stop by” unexpectedly.

Today’s message will help us take a look at how shepherds and angels just “showed up.” The angels showed up to the shepherds and the shepherds in return showed up to see Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

As a group read Luke 2:8-20

Scripture Support:
v. 8; God continued to reveal the news about His son, but not to those we might expect. Luke records that the birth of Jesus was announced to the shepherds in the fields. The fields were their homes.

Group Members: The angels, well, they just showed up, unexpectedly. How do you think that made the shepherds feel?

v. 8-15; What a birth announcement. The shepherds were terrified, but their fear turned to joy as the angels announced the Messiah’s birth. The shepherds ran to see this baby and then they spread the word.

Group members: Share what your greatest fear would be if someone was to “show up” at your house unexpectedly, today.

v. 9,10; The greatest event in history had just happene! The Messiah had been born. For ages the Jews had waited for this and when it finally occurred, the announcement came to humble shepherds. The good news is that Jesus came for all, including the plain and ordinary. He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept him.

Remember, the shepherd’s homes were the fields by which they cared for their flock. Their “home” was always on the move. What do you identify as home? You may live in a house, an apartment, car, or RV.

Group Members: Share how you are taking the message of Jesus to your home and the homes of others who might not expect it.

Like the angels and shepherds, maybe it’s time to just show up, unexpectedly, and share the comfort, care, and love of Jesus with a neighbor, co-worker, boss, forgotten friend.