Breaking the Silence: The Greatest Gift
Breaking the Silence: The Greatest Gift
Key Bible Verses
Matthew 1:1, 18–24; Luke 1:67–79; 2:8–15; John 1:1–5
Digging Deeper
James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
God has given us the greatest gift, Jesus Christ, who came to earth to be born in a manger and ultimately gave His life to save the world from sin and darkness. When we accept this gift of knowing Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we then have the opportunity to fill our lives with meaning and purpose.
As we think of this tremendous gift God has given us, what kind of gifts can we give back to God and share with others? Here are a couple of ideas:
Develop an intimate relationship with God by praying, reading the Bible, and growing in our faith.
Obey God’s commands and seek out His calling for our life.
Express thankfulness to God for all His blessings and provision.
Find opportunities to share the love and joy of Jesus with others.
Develop humility and selflessness, reflecting on the humble life that Jesus led.
Demonstrate extravagant generosity and giving.
Look for opportunities to provide peace and comfort to those who are suffering.
As we enjoy this Christmas season, let us keep Jesus at the center of the Christmas celebrations and traditions and remember the true meaning of Christmas in the middle of all the commercialism and distractions. As we focus on the spiritual significance of Christmas rather than materialistic aspects, let us thank God for the hope, peace, and joy that comes from knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior and knowing the true reason for the Christmas season.
What Not To Miss
The Main Point:
When God spoke, breaking the silence at the first Christmas, He gave humanity the greatest gift in history: His Son.
The Bible explains what happened in the past, how it affects the future, and how, at the first Christmas, after 400 years of silence, God breaks the silence and sends His Son to save a people from all peoples and give them purpose and peace.
God’s original reality and timeline were meant to bring heaven to earth through His image bearers, Adam and Eve, who were human beings, to spread and reflect God’s glory throughout the earth.
Humans became selfish, self-centered, and robbed and stole from God, rebelling against God.
As a result, humanity created a separate timeline and kingdom, the Kingdom of Man, which represents hell on earth.
This sinful fall led to a time when God regretted He had made humanity, and God promised to judge them.
God. in the Bible, spoke and worked through people like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, and Solomon.
But because the people of Isreal failed to bring heaven to earth, they were exiled and enslaved to both their sin and the world.
God spoke through the prophets about the Messiah, who would redeem the world. The Messiah would be:
Born of a Virgin.
From the house and lineage of David.
Born in Bethlehem.
A suffering servant.
Obscure.
Fulfilling the promises made throughout the Old Testament.
God would fall silent for around 400 years. God broke the silence and sent Jesus, His only Son, into the world.
There are three reasons why Jesus is the greatest gift ever given to humanity!
Jesus redeems/saves sinners from enslavement to sin and to the sinful world.
Jesus reinstitutes humanity’s primary purpose.
Jesus restores Shalom inwardly and promises to bring it eternally.
Key Questions:
Have you been saved/redeemed from the curse of sin? From enslavement to sin? From the enslavement to the world and the things of the world?
Have you experienced the true purpose for which you were created? To reflect God? To Build God’s Kingdom? To live under the rule and reign of God? To bless others?
Have you experienced inner peace? Calmness? Wholeness? Completeness? Restored functionality?
That’s the meaning of Christmas. That’s why Jesus came! And that is why Jesus is the Greatest Gift!
Life Application
Pray this week that God will allow you to give a great gift to someone who might not be expecting it, who might be hurting, or who might be having a difficult time. This gift might not be tangible, but might be giving your time or talents to help someone in need. Think of ways to be extravagantly generous, knowing that God gave the ultimate, priceless, and perfect gift, His Son Jesus, to die on the cross to save the world from sin and to give us eternal life with Him.
Small Group Discussion Questions
What is your favorite Christmas memory?
Why is Jesus' birth the greatest gift God has given to us?
How did God break the silence when He sent Jesus to be born?
How do you experience and know what your purpose is in God’s plan and kingdom?
What are ways to glorify God and share Jesus with others?
Daily Devotional Bible Passages
Day 1: God’s Presence-Luke 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; 1 John 4:9
Day 2: God’s Provision-Isaiah 9:6; Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 15:13
Day 3: God’s Glory-John 1:14; Luke 2:20; Luke 2:14
Day 4: God’s Mercy-Matthew 1:21; Romans 6:23; Titus 3:4-6
Day 5: God’s Love-John 3:16; 1 John 4:16; 1 Peter 1:8-9
Prayer
Dear Lord, I thank you for the greatest gift you have given me, which is the gift of eternal life and salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. As Your child, I am grateful for the love, grace, and mercy You show me daily. I pray for wisdom and discernment to appreciate this precious gift and to live according to your will. May I never take Your gift for granted. Let me cherish and treasure it, and let my life bring glory to Your name. Please give me opportunities to share this incredible gift of Jesus with others so that they, too, may see Your glory, experience salvation, and know Your love. Help me set aside differences and conflicts I might have with others, and let us come together to celebrate your birth as I pray for peace and seek unity during this season. As I joyfully celebrate Christmas, help me always remember the true reason for this season as I focus on the birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and the incredible gift of love and salvation that He brings to the world.
