Silent Night

Have we choked JESUS right out of Christmas?

SCRIPTURES

Matthew 13:18-23 | Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Luke 10:38-42 | As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Other Scriptures
Matthew 6:33-34
1 John 2:15-16

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DISCUSSION

-From the outside looking in, does your Christmas look like it’s about Jesus or about something else (presents, parties, worldly pursuits)?
-How does a love for the things of the world distract you from the real meaning of Christmas?
-How do you struggle like Martha in getting distracted by all the preparations for Christmas?
-On Christmas Day, how can you be more like Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus and worshiping him? What about the rest of the year?
-If Jesus were spending time with you and your family this Christmas season as you celebrated his birth, how would you do things differently?
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APPLY
WORSHIP GOD TODAY!
-Read the Word of God
-Turn on or play some music and worship him
-Write out your praises from the last year
-Pray for the needs of others in your life
-Share what Christ has done in your life with others