Finding Peace and Reconciliation This Christmas Season
Summary
### Summary
During this Christmas season, we often find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of gift-giving and family gatherings, which can lead to stress and tension. Reflecting on the story of Mary and Joseph, we see that even in the midst of chaos and judgment, they found peace by following God's plan. Mary, a young girl, was chosen to bear the Messiah, and despite the societal judgment and the logistical challenges they faced, they trusted in God's promise. This trust led them to a humble stable where Jesus was born, symbolizing that true peace comes from faith and obedience to God.
We are reminded that peace is not the absence of chaos but the presence of God in our lives. This Christmas, we are encouraged to be peacemakers within our families and communities. This means resolving conflicts, forgiving past wrongs, and being a source of calm and love. By doing so, we emulate the peace that Jesus brings into the world. The ultimate gift we can give this season is the gift of reconciliation and peace, reflecting the true spirit of Christmas.
### Key Takeaways
1. Finding Peace Amidst Chaos: Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem was filled with challenges and societal judgment, yet they found peace by trusting in God's plan. This teaches us that true peace comes from faith and obedience to God, even when circumstances are difficult. [45:03]
2. The Weight of Responsibility: Mary, a young girl, was given the immense responsibility of bearing the Messiah. This highlights that God often entrusts us with significant tasks, and while they may seem overwhelming, His grace is sufficient to carry us through. [49:34]
3. Judgment and Misunderstanding: Mary and Joseph likely faced judgment from others due to their circumstances. This reminds us that following God's will may lead to misunderstanding and judgment from others, but we must remain steadfast in our faith. [51:36]
4. The Gift of Reconciliation: The best gift we can give this Christmas is the gift of reconciliation. This involves resolving conflicts, forgiving past wrongs, and being a source of peace within our families and communities. [54:51]
5. Living Out Our Faith: True peace is found in living out our faith daily. This means studying God's word, applying it in our lives, and striving to live differently each day. By doing so, we experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. [56:21]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[20:28] - Game Instructions
[27:04] - Game Continues
[30:21] - Santa's Destinations Game
[35:28] - Discussion on Christmas Gifts
[39:20] - Best Gifts Given and Received
[43:31] - Stress and Family Dynamics During Christmas
[45:03] - Finding Peace Amidst Chaos
[46:20] - The Promise of the Messiah
[49:34] - The Weight of Responsibility
[51:36] - Judgment and Misunderstanding
[53:13] - The Birth of Jesus
[54:51] - The Gift of Reconciliation
[56:21] - Living Out Our Faith
[57:51] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[59:29] - Announcements and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 2:1-7 (NIV)
> "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them."
2. Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)
> "This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us'). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."
#### Observation Questions
1. What challenges did Mary and Joseph face on their journey to Bethlehem? ([45:03])
2. How did Mary and Joseph respond to societal judgment and logistical challenges? ([51:36])
3. What was the significance of Jesus being born in a stable? ([53:13])
4. How does the story of Mary and Joseph illustrate the concept of finding peace amidst chaos? ([45:03])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the story of Mary and Joseph teach us about trusting in God's plan despite difficult circumstances? ([45:03])
2. How can the weight of responsibility that Mary felt be related to the responsibilities we face in our own lives? ([49:34])
3. In what ways might we face judgment or misunderstanding when following God's will, similar to Mary and Joseph? ([51:36])
4. How can the birth of Jesus in a humble stable inspire us to find peace in simple and unexpected places? ([53:13])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced chaos or judgment. How did you find peace in that situation? ([45:03])
2. What are some practical ways you can trust in God's plan when facing overwhelming responsibilities? ([49:34])
3. Have you ever felt judged or misunderstood for your faith? How did you handle it, and what can you learn from Mary and Joseph's experience? ([51:36])
4. This Christmas, how can you be a peacemaker within your family and community? ([54:51])
5. Think of a conflict or past wrong that needs reconciliation in your life. What steps can you take to resolve it and bring peace? ([54:51])
6. How can you live out your faith daily to experience the peace that surpasses all understanding? ([56:21])
7. Identify one specific way you can bring the gift of reconciliation and peace to someone this Christmas season. ([54:51])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Plan Amidst Chaos
Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem was filled with challenges and societal judgment, yet they found peace by trusting in God's plan. This teaches us that true peace comes from faith and obedience to God, even when circumstances are difficult. Mary, a young girl, was chosen to bear the Messiah, and despite the societal judgment and the logistical challenges they faced, they trusted in God's promise. This trust led them to a humble stable where Jesus was born, symbolizing that true peace comes from faith and obedience to God. We are reminded that peace is not the absence of chaos but the presence of God in our lives. This Christmas, we are encouraged to be peacemakers within our families and communities. This means resolving conflicts, forgiving past wrongs, and being a source of calm and love. By doing so, we emulate the peace that Jesus brings into the world. [45:03]
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
Reflection: Think of a current chaotic situation in your life. How can you trust God more deeply in this situation and find peace through His presence?
Day 2: Embracing God's Call
Mary, a young girl, was given the immense responsibility of bearing the Messiah. This highlights that God often entrusts us with significant tasks, and while they may seem overwhelming, His grace is sufficient to carry us through. Mary’s acceptance of her role, despite her youth and the potential for societal judgment, is a powerful example of faith and obedience. She embraced her calling with humility and trust in God’s plan. This teaches us that when God calls us to a task, He also provides the strength and grace needed to fulfill it. We may feel inadequate or unprepared, but God’s call comes with His provision. [49:34]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: What significant task or responsibility has God placed in your life that feels overwhelming? How can you rely on His grace to carry you through it?
Day 3: Standing Firm in Faith Despite Judgment
Mary and Joseph likely faced judgment from others due to their circumstances. This reminds us that following God's will may lead to misunderstanding and judgment from others, but we must remain steadfast in our faith. Their story teaches us that societal judgment and misunderstanding are often part of the journey of faith. When we follow God’s will, we may face criticism or judgment from those who do not understand our path. However, like Mary and Joseph, we are called to remain steadfast and trust in God’s plan, knowing that His approval is what ultimately matters. [51:36]
1 Peter 4:14 (ESV): "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced judgment or misunderstanding for following God’s will. How can you remain steadfast in your faith despite external criticism?
Day 4: The Gift of Reconciliation
The best gift we can give this Christmas is the gift of reconciliation. This involves resolving conflicts, forgiving past wrongs, and being a source of peace within our families and communities. Reconciliation is at the heart of the Christmas message. Jesus came to reconcile us to God, and we are called to extend that reconciliation to others. This means actively seeking to resolve conflicts, offering forgiveness, and being a source of peace and love in our relationships. By doing so, we reflect the true spirit of Christmas and the peace that Jesus brings into the world. [54:51]
Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life with whom you need to reconcile? What steps can you take today to offer forgiveness and seek peace in that relationship?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith Daily
True peace is found in living out our faith daily. This means studying God's word, applying it in our lives, and striving to live differently each day. By doing so, we experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. Living out our faith is a daily commitment that involves immersing ourselves in God’s word, applying its teachings, and striving to live in a way that reflects Christ’s love and peace. This daily practice not only transforms our lives but also brings us the peace that comes from a deep and abiding relationship with God. [56:21]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the study and application of God’s word into your daily routine? What specific changes can you make to live out your faith more fully each day?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "I ask, and my challenge for y'all is to find one to find peace for you, but then also to be peace for your family, and so that might mean that at some point, you know, during this break, there might be something that happens, and you legitimately have been wronged, maybe a brother or a sister does something that they shouldn't to you, or maybe someone says something to you that was not very nice, but I'm asking, if we are going to be peace for each other, and peace for your family, you have to make the decision now that when those things happen, not if, because we all know that those things will happen, chaos, and stress, and those kind of things will happen this Christmas, and when it does, you have to make the decision now to be the source of peace for when it happens, not if it happens, just resolve yourself right now to say, I am going to find peace for myself, and then I am going to be peace for my family." [45:03] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What I want to challenge you with is to know that there is peace when you follow after God. That's the only place you will find peace, and sometimes when we step out, that first step, the second step, the second step, the third step, feels like we've brought more chaos into our life, but it's only when we actually follow through, and do what God has called us to, that we're going to find the peace that God gives us, that is so good, and so overwhelming, that it goes beyond anything that we can imagine, that it wipes out all of the things that we faced in the past, and it covers us for all the things we're going to face in the future, you know." [53:13] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Seek God, and find the peace that he offers you, and then be peacemakers this year, wherever you are, and so that's my, that's my challenge, my encouragement, that as we, as we remember that Jesus was born, because he's the one that brings true peace, because he takes all of our broken mess, no matter what we've ever done, and no matter what we're going to do, and he puts it all back together, and and he gives us purpose, when we follow after Jesus, we accept him, he forgives us of everything in our past, he doesn't just, it's not just a past thing, but it's also a future thing, now we have something to strive for, and that's where this comes in, reading this, studying this, and then actually applying it in our life, and saying, I'm going to live differently tomorrow, and I'm going to live differently tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and that's how we walk in faith, and that's how we experience peace every day, is stepping out in faith each and every day, and staying as close to God as we possibly can." [56:21] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "We have to understand that we're going to find real peace in our life. One, we have to be willing to do the things God has asked us to do, even when it seems like it's going to cause chaos, because here's the thing, Mary and Joseph, I don't know that Mary could have chosen not to do what God asked her to. I don't know. Maybe she could have, but regardless of that, there are things in our life that when we step out in faith, it feels like it brings chaos, but the best place, to find peace, is stepping out in faith with God." [51:36] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Often, for Christmas, like, that is, that is the thing, that's, that's what it's all, like, what it comes down to, right, for us, is what gifts we get, or what gifts we give, right, because that's, that's kind of what everything builds up to, you know, does anybody's mom get stressed out leading up to Christmas, probably because she feels like she has to make sure she gets the right gifts for every single person in the family, because dads, like, I'm a dad, I try, but it's just not the thing, like, I'm trying to be better at it, but, often, often, the whole thing of, like, finding gifts for people, and making sure you get everything, and you have enough, like, all of that puts stress, because you have to think about, like, sometimes people aren't, you know, sometimes money's not as, as free as it could be, and so, trying to be able to make sure you get what you want to get, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, for everyone becomes difficult, so it puts a lot of stress on you, and then people start kind of fighting in the family, anybody ever have that over Christmas, right, or the holidays, right, because we've been going, going, going with school, or with work, or with whatever, and now you have, like, two or three weeks where it's just you guys in the house all together, and especially in a time like this, okay, when we've already been kind of cooped up, and not been able to do anything, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, to kind of go out, and, you know, get away from people, and so then you have your family, and now you get to spend extra time with just your family, I, I imagine that stress is going to be high this year." [43:31] (97 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "In my own life, when we took in Brandon, and David, there was that initial, we're doing what God has called us to, but there was a lot of chaos for a long time, and there's still chaos, because it's family, but it's only when we follow, and we really, really do what God has called us to, as a family, that we find peace, and so this Christmas, as we try to celebrate the birth of Jesus, I'm asking that y'all, don't just think about gifts, but if you want to, because I don't think gifts are bad, I want you to think of gifts that you can bring to the table, that will bring peace to your family this year. If there have been wrongs that have been happened, that have happened in your family, wrongs that you have done, or wrongs that someone else has done, and you know that there are ways that you can reconcile, that is the best gift that you could give anyone this Christmas, and if it comes with an actual, gift that you give them, great, but if not, if it's just reconciling a relationship, do that." [54:51] (72 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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