![[Sunday] Await Epiphany](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1640701470511-JW1U7GVOJZGZ5EGTWN8F/await+epiphanya.jpg)
[Sunday] Await Epiphany
The Prophet Isaiah is getting us ready for the king’s coming, not just a Jewish king but a wonderful counselor, almighty God, and Prince of Peace.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] All Things - Keep It Simple](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1731687836393-04YTHZK3FOM503Y57MM3/Simple4a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Await Holy Night](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1640274898409-HRS2H9CH8NZA5G7B0FT0/Await+5a.jpg)
[Sunday] Await Holy Night
“Oh Holy Night” is a loved Christmas carol that speaks of the magi in more than one way.
Questions for the week
Describe a time when an unlikely or unwelcomed person came to an event. How did the other people at the event react?
Read Matthew 2:1-12. What would Matthew’s Jewish audience have thought about the wise men or magi worshiping Jesus? If you were to guess, which god would you think they had worshiped before this?
God leads the magi, these unlikely people, to worship Jesus. What hope does this give you?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Christmas Day Service 2021
How beautiful upon the mountains of those whose feet bring good news. On Christmas, we see the world with renewed vision and with gladness as the hope of the world has been born.
Click To watch Service
Questions for the week
What are some of the most beautiful mountains you’ve seen?
Read Isaiah 52. According to Isaiah what is beautiful upon the mountains?
Looking specifically at Isaiah 52:8-10, how does the Lord comfort his people? What does this have to do with Christmas?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Christmas Eve Service 2021
The angles Startled the poor shepherds with heavenly songs of Glory to God in the Heights. This is how you will know that God has come. You will find a baby poor and in a manger. This changed everything and left the shepherds joyfully singing the song of heaven with breathy human voices.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Await the Empty Tomb](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1639758127214-0JWS87ILEHZ44BP3W3Z5/Await+4a.jpg)
[Sunday] Await the Empty Tomb
“He will swallow up death forever," pronounces the prophet Isaiah as he looks across the future, seeing the shroud which is holding all the creation down. Those words from the prophet ring out with a sure hope as we look inside the empty tomb.
Questions for the week
Why can Christmas be hard for people who have lost loved ones?
Read Isaiah 25:6-9. How does Isaiah beautifully describe what happens to death?
What about this great feast, brought about by Jesus’ return, do you look most forward to?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Await the Christmas Ham](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1639149545618-L5PE1GGD1ICPLYK0PY6K/Await+3a.jpg)
[Sunday] Await the Christmas Ham
Oh the humble Christmas ham. It’s easier to cook than a turkey, but it's still tasty. In the nation of Israel the ham would never have been accepted as a gift. And yet the glory of the “ham nations” was given at the birth of the Hebrew messiah.
Questions for the week
Describe a time when you messed up preparing a holiday dinner.
Read Isaiah 19:16-25. What do you find surprising about Egypt and Assyria? Why would they be able to worship just like Israel?
Think of a group of people that you dislike; how would it make you feel if they were part of God’s promise?
Through Christ, how does God make all the nations part of his promise? In regards to Christ, how are you no different than all the other nations?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Await the Nativity](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1638495832421-GE6I616E0YQQ1RHNDQH4/Await+2a.jpg)
[Sunday] Await the Nativity
The prophet Isaiah is warning us of our proclivity to build foundations upon the power of Babylon rather than the kingdom of God. The gift of the nativity is the place where the world's power structures are completely upended and the original creation is put back to rights.
Questions for the week
Describe a time when you were so focused on perfection but were actually just shallowly covering up your faults?
Read 2 Kings 20:12-19. Why is Isaiah upset with Hezekiah? What have they tried too hard to be like?
In what ways have you sought pride, power, and prestige trying to be like Babylon?
Read Isaiah 13:6-16, 14:1. The day of the Lord comes to call us from pride, power, and prestige. How does the day of the Lord bring about God’s wrath as well as his compassion (hint: connect this to Jesus on the cross)?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Await the Ornament](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1637891860017-5349YN5DBWRW8JE8NPYS/Await+1a.jpg)
[Sunday] Await the Ornament
The beginning of advent can be a rough time for a young boy. All hyped up from the fun of Thanksgiving, school can be a reality check making him feel like Christmas will never come. For the children of Israel, a bloviating Assyrian makes very real threats, causing them to doubt if the Father is really there. However, a loving father gives us gifts to sustain us until Christmas morning.
Questions for the week
Describe a time when you’ve been tempted to listen to voices to doubt God’s love for you.
In Isaiah, the King of Assyria is trying to convince God’s people to doubt God’s power and presence. What prayer does the king of God’s people pray? Read Isaiah 37:14-20.
What does he remember about God, even in this dark time?
Read Isaiah 37:21-38. How does God deliver his people from the King of Assyria?
Ultimately, how does God deliver you from the dark times in your life?
What Had happened at Grace this week.
Await: Daily Gifts From a Loving Father
Remember being little and excitedly waiting for Christmas to come. As we await the coming messiah, its like we are moving on a grand advent calendar moving closer to the coming Christ. But waiting is hard and can feel like there is nothing good for us. In that struggle of waiting God leaves us daily gifts, a foretaste of what is to come.
Remember being little and excitedly waiting for Christmas to come. As we await the coming messiah, its like we are moving on a grand advent calendar moving closer to the coming Christ. But waiting is hard and can feel like there is nothing good for us. In that struggle of waiting God leaves us daily gifts, a foretaste of what is to come.
The Kingdom of God is right here: The lowly manger being lauded by well traveled kings; wisdom from on high unearthing the way of love; the blind seeing the light radiating from a cold tomb. It's backwards. It's beautiful. It's the Kingdom way.