The Threat & Joy of Christmas
CENTRAL TEXT: Matthew 2:1-12
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
CALL TO WORSHIP: based on Isaiah 9:2, 6-7a
LEADER: All God’s people— Boys and girls, women and men, we have been called here by God to emulate the shepherds, wise men, and angels as we worship Christ the newborn King.
ALL: Come and worship!
LEADER: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
ALL: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders."
LEADER: "And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
ALL: Come and worship Christ the newborn King!
PRAYER/SCRIPTURE READING/CONFESSION OF FAITH: (From the Nicene Creed)
LEADER: Christian, what do we believe?
ALL: We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only begotten of the Father before all worlds;
God of God, Light of light,
very God of very God;
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made.
Who, for us and our salvation,
came down from heaven,
and became incarnate by the Holy Spirit
of the virgin Mary, and was made man.
BENEDICTION: John 1:14
LEADER: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
ALL: Amen!
RELATED SCRIPTURES:
Exodus 30:9, 34-38
Numbers 24:17
Micah 5:2
Romans 6:23
Ephesians 2:13-14, 17
2 Peter 1:19
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Try to recall a few days before: What was your favorite Christmas gift this year? Why?
- In Matthew 2, the magi journeyed from Babylon to Bethlehem, some 800 miles, to visit the newborn King. Why do you think they responded this way?
- Why do you think King Herod’s reaction to the coming King was so different from the magi? Try to get into his headspace as best you can and then answer this question: how can you relate to him?
- Even though the holidays can be heavy for many of us, how might the story of Christmas conjure joyful worship and sacrificial giving in you?
- Name a specific practice that will help you “bend toward the light” of Jesus this upcoming year? How can our church family encourage you to that end?
QUOTES:
BOOKS / DOCS
Jonathan Holmes, “Bend Toward The Light” (Christianity Today)