Christmas Eve: Home for Christmas
Luke 2:1-20
Digging Deeper
Mary had an eventful visit with Elizabeth, and during this time, we can imagine how Mary had time to ponder and wonder at everything God was doing in her life as she prepared to become the mother of the Messiah. It is interesting to imagine the conversations between these two godly women and how God brought them together during this beautiful and exciting time in their lives.
But eventually, Mary went home. It must have been hard for Mary to leave this warm, nurturing environment with Elizabeth and go home to a place where things would be much more difficult for her.
The Bible shares that Joseph, Mary's godly fiance, had also been visited by an angel at some point, as detailed in Matthew 1. The angel explained the pregnancy situation Joseph and Mary faced to Joseph. Joseph was told to take Mary into his home, and even more amazingly, he was told this child that Mary was having was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was to be named Jesus. In Luke 2, the Messiah of the world was born in a stable in Bethlehem because there was no room for them in the inn.
Sometimes, it is easy to go home. Warmness awaits us, and we know that peace and comfort are what we will experience. Sometimes, though, it can be hard to go home. History and circumstances make it difficult and often painful. But we, like Mary and Joseph, have the assurance that our God is in control, and He is with us on every step of our journey home. He will give us peace that passes all understanding and a love that outshines the darkness or difficulty we might experience so we can share the wonder of this season.
Like Mary, we can be confident in our Almighty God and ponder in our hearts the wonderful things God has done. May our hearts rejoice as we go home for Christmas, no matter our circumstances, celebrating the wonder of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Definition of wonder:
Something extraordinary or surprising
To marvel at something unexpected, unfamiliar or inexplicable
Sense of awe and amazement
Transcend our understanding of the world
Wonder gives us:
Something above the normal.
The highest version of what is possible—even if it is supernatural.
What does all of this have to do with Christmas?
Christmas marks one of the greatest wonders in the history of the world!
Christmas is when God became man!
What has happened in culture, and in many of our lives, is that we have become de-wonderized.
Why has Christmas lost its wonder?
It has become too familiar.
It seems Grinch or Scrooged–esque.
We have become intellectually skeptical.
We have become more entitled.
We don't see how it is practical to life.
The main point:
You'll ponder the wonder of Christmas when the infinite God exceeds what your finite mind conceives.
Keys to celebrating the wonder of Christmas.
-Recapture the wonder of Christmas where you begin, once again, to ponder the wonder of Christmas.
-Remember the wonder of Christmas where you continue to ponder the wonder of Christmas.
-Receive the wonder of Christmas where you, for the first time in your life, ponder the wonder of Christmas.
Seven wonders of Christmas that probably were in Mary's heart as she pondered the first advent and coming of Christ.
God broke His silence on me.
I can't believe I'm in Bethlehem.
There was no room for us, for Him.
I didn't see them coming. (The Shepherds)
They saw an angel and received a message.
They heard a song.
They were in search of a sign.
There was a baby wrapped in clothes lying in a manger.
Are you at home? Have you received Jesus as your Savior and King?
If you are not at home, will you come home?
You can come home as you pray: Jesus, I believe that you are my King and Savior, and I believe in the wonder of Christmas. And every day, I live in the wonder of Christmas when God became a man. Also, I believe in the wonder of Easter when the God-man, Jesus, the light of the world, gave his life for me, and three days later, He rose from the dead saving me from my sin so that when I die, I can live eternally in heaven with Him.
Will you come home?
LIFE APPLICATION
This week, ponder fond memories of Christmas. Remember good people that you know or have met. Rekindle positive memories from the past. Remember the favorite places you walked, ate and slept. Reminisce about shopping in stores that you enjoyed. Reflect on memories of church where you may have celebrated Christmas. This Christmas, make new memories you can ponder in the future as you remember the wonder of this time of Christ's birth.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Share what is your favorite home-cooked meal.
What do you think Mary pondered as she considered her role as the mother of the Messiah?
How did God prepare the way for Mary and Joseph to take their next steps as it became the time for the Messiah to be born?
How can we find wonder when situations we are facing are difficult?
What are some ways we can make great Christmas memories that we will be able to ponder in future years?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1: Home is Built by God - Hebrews 3:4; Matthew 7:25; Psalms 127:1
Day 2: Home is Where We Serve God - Joshua 24:15; Proverbs 14:1; Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Day 3: Home is Peace and Love - Isaiah 32:18; Colossians 3:14; Proverbs 24:3-4
Day 4: Home is Blessed by God - Proverbs 3:33; 2 Samuel 7:29; Psalms 91:1-2
Day 5: Home is Heaven - John 14:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5; Philippians 3:20-21
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, it is good to ponder and realize with wonder that my home, as a believer in King Jesus, is not just a physical place here on earth but that my final home is with You in Heaven. During this Christmas time, I thank you that Jesus came to earth, born in a manger in Bethlehem, to save the world and me from sin and darkness so that I can spend eternity at home with you in heaven. Let me celebrate with wonder and have a sense of joy, peace and comfort as I know that no matter how difficult things are here at "home" here on earth, this is just a temporary stop on my way to be with You eternally in heaven. Let me share this wonderful, good news about Jesus's birth with neighbors and nations so they can be saved and know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
