Boy Jesus in the Temple - Arrival - Luke 2
Little is recorded about Jesus’ life between His birth and the age of 30. But this one episode tells so much. Jesus’ family life is a lot like anyone’s, full of mishaps and misunderstandings. As Jesus enters young adulthood, He begins manifesting an extraordinary sense of identity. (Remember, a 12-year-old isn’t “just a kid” in Israel; he is becoming a man.) He has a direct relationship with God as His Father, and He knows His life will follow a path of working for God.
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Peace - Arrival - Luke 1
This season can seem so overwhelming. This party, that shopping, those friends; it can seem like there is so much you have to do that it is just overwhelming. Think about Mary the mother of Jesus. How overwhelming would her life be here with so much pressure? Yet in feeling all of her pressure, she sits in humility and sings a song of excitement.
Questions for the Week
A week before Christmas how do you normally feel? Excited? Anxious? Overwhelmed? Something else? Why do you feel this way?
Read Luke 1: 46-56. This is Mary’s song of praise. What themes do Mary highlight? Where do you see Jesus living out these themes in his life and ministry?
In our gospel lesson we see both Mary and Elizabeth covered in excitement as God has come to the unworthy and humble. What are some ways you can get wrapped up in this true excitement of Christmas this week?
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Joy - Arrival - Matthew 11
John the Baptist is in prison. He sends out some of his followers to ask Jesus if he is truly the king. John is wondering about joy and how can we have joy in following a savior who does not meet our expectations. But perhaps we can see the joy found in the eyes of those whose expectations have been broken, those who truly have something to treasure.
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Faith - Arrival - Luke 21
What is faith? How do we apply faith? Faith is one of those things that is hard to talk about. It sometimes seems fleeting and faint, hard to grasp. Perhaps pictures will help us. Look at the faith of the poor woman giving two coins to the temple. When the world is difficult to understand, perhaps we should continue to look at images of great faith like hers.
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Hope - Arrival
God’s people have been scattered all over the world. Babylon has come in and taken them over and separated them as far as the east is from the west. When will the good king come and bring us back together? I often feel just as scattered, having to run from this house or party to another this time of year. Even my family is scattered all over the country. I, too, am waiting for someone to bring us all together.
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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Dec 15th. Starring Lauren Graham, Judy Greer, and Pete Holmes.