CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST HERE!!!
THEME - For the vision is yet for an appointed time - Habakuk 2:3.
Introduction
We all know that though Christmas is traditionally celebrated on December 25 th, celebrations begin earlier by an increasing number of people including non-Christians across the world. For many non-Christians, Christmas is not just a celebration but an experience that brings the world together. In other words, non-Christians see Christmas celebration beyond the boundary of the Christian faith because the entire world celebrates Christmas with families and friends by having fun with joy and great gladness.
As a tradition, Christians and non-Christian’s travel for Christmas holiday to explore various ways to celebrate Christmas in the world with families and friends. In Canada, for example, Montreal the second largest city of Canada and close to the European coast as to Vancouver has good things to see, the two continents turn to be a destination for Christmas trips. There, people enjoy night-time parades, Christmas lights and free concerts with several other outdoor activities.
In case you have forgotten, the beautiful Vatican City remains attractive all through the year, but the month of December is especially special and is among the best destination for some people to have a special Christmas Eve. A good number of pilgrims are attracted on Christmas Eve to the Vatican City including a Midnight Mass in St Peter's Basilica.
What is amazing and more striking is that some family travel to the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas while others love to gather under a beautifully adorned tree with families to celebrate at home by opening and sharing of gifts. The most admired for children is the man in red and white attire call Santa, in fact they love seeing Santa everywhere on this lovely Christmas season. You well know, homes and streets will soon be decorated with lights and extra festive decorations to mark the season.
Notwithstanding, what comes to your mind the moment months turn to December, and you begin hearing about Christmas. How do you rate your reaction compared to others since the mere thought of Christmas excites almost everybody in this part of the world. Haven`t you made plans to celebrate this Christmas in your own special way as you did many years already, or would you want to try something different from last year because you have been sending the wrong signal to your children and neighbors and want to make the point straight that Christmas is more than having a festive atmosphere.
Consequently, before we light our candles and Christmas trees during this season, we need to be careful not to send any wrong signal to our neighbors and children whom we are accountable to help understand the real meaning of Christmas that Christ was born for our salvation, as revealed in Scripture. This is the opportunity our study extends. Otherwise, how do Christmas and the celebrations that go into it appeal to you.
Questions
1. We are always face to face with one of the great controversial doctrines of the Christian faith. Because in Isaiah 7: 14 occurs the strange prediction with the sounding phrase, “the virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son.”
A. Reflecting over the context in Isaiah 7: 1 - 17, what does Isaiah 7: 14 signify, and reading Luke. 1: 26 -38, what are the two great reasons that are supposed to convince you as you experience various life challenges.
B. Mary`s submission looks very lovely. Rephrase Mary`s response in your own word and discuss anything you have learned about Mary.
C. Luke 1: 46 – 56 is a passage referring to one of the great hymns of the church commonly called – the Magnificent. As is assumed, the Magnificent is the most revolutionary document. Trace the 3 revolutions of God from the passage
2. In the Roman Empire, periodic censuses were taken. Discuss any two-reason census were taken periodically and explain the circumstances and definite purpose for this census in Luke 2: 1 – 7.
A. The first announcement about Jesus by the angel came to the Shepherds in Luke. 2: 8 - 20. Translate the meaning of a manger where Jesus was born and the relationship of these Shepherds to the Temple
B. Reading from the passage in Zach. 9: 9 – 10, discuss why the Jews had good reason to expect an earthly king. Seeing that years later Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of Zachariah. In what way are we liking to the Jews?
3. Read the genealogy of Jesus in Matt1: 1-17 and Luke 3: 23-38. Discuss why Matthew traced the lineage of Jesus back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. What do you think Jesus qualified for in 2 Samuel 7: 12 and 19: 28
A. Mary was betrothed to Joseph and betrothal was binding in marriage. Since Mary conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit, explain the condition Jesus is referred to as Joseph`s son in Matt. 13: 55, Jn 6: 42 and on the occasion, he lingered in the temple in Luke 2: 24.
B. In Galatians 4: 4 Paul speaks of Jesus as born of a woman. Explain why natural phrases about man in Job 14: 1, 15: 14 and 25: 4 cannot apply to Jesus.
