Christmas: The Music And The Meaning - Week 3

Listen to this weeks playlist here:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4wqgdrkGeBU5qmssCjfGDZ?si=JLbHBjrPTC2S0Wfu3CS ofA

Welcome!

Opening Prayer:

God, thank you for bringing this group together. Thank you for this time to discuss life, and your
word...and maybe even sing. Please be with us during this time. It’s in your name we pray.
Amen.


Ice Breaker: This week’s song focuses on hopes and fears through all the years.
Let’s start with hopes: What are two things on your bucket list?
Now fears: If you were on the show Fear Factor, what would be your most undesirable
challenge? Something with bugs? Heights? Clowns?


The Head:

The scripture below tells the story of the Magi and the little town of Bethlehem.

Matthew 2:1-6 (NIV)
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the
east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?
We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had
called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the
Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet
has written:
6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Micah 5:2 (NIV)
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”

1. Consider the fact that Bethlehem was small and insignificant in comparison to the rest of
Israel. What does this tell you about God and Jesus? What about life today?

2. What do you think God sees in Bethlehem that He doesn’t see elsewhere?

3. The book of Micah predicted the birth place of Jesus centuries before his actual birth.
The people of Israel had been hoping for His birth for a very long time. Nevertheless, not
everyone is happy to hear that this long wait is over. Take King Herod. What’s his
problem? What does he fear?


The Heart:

Sing aloud together (or read 🙁) the lyrics to the Christmas classic, “O little town of Bethlehem.”

Oh little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth,
the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary,
and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep
their watch of wondering love

Oh morning stars together,
proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king, 
and peace to men on earth.


Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

1. What are your hopes? For Christmas? For the coming year? “For all the years?”
2. What are your fears? For Christmas? For the coming year? “For all the years”
3. What does it mean for hopes and fears to be “met in thee tonight?”
1. The Gospel Coalition writes, “The coming of Jesus is the coming of a rival to the
throne of your life. Herod’s fears were met in Jesus because he dreaded all
threats to his rule.” https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/hopes-and-fears/
2. Following Jesus isn’t always easy. Is this true in your life? How so or not?


The Hands:

Our loving God sent Jesus (the ultimate gift) to earth to give the world HOPE and ultimately
carry out a plan which will end all suffering. At Christmas, we celebrate the Christ child's birth by
renewing our hopes and sharing joy with others.

1. What are some simple ways we can be a source of hope to others? (provide
encouragement, be flexible, listen intently, lend a helping hand any way you are able,
practice empathy, practice gratitude, pray for each other). https://amarvani.blog/give-hope/

2. Being hopeful means believing good things will happen. However, lately it can be difficult
to feel hopeful about our world. It can feel discouraging when every new week brings
more troubling news and sadness. Some days it's a lot to take in and bear.

3. The Gathering can be a place that offers hope to many during troubling times. Is there
anyone you are considering inviting to church? Someone who may need to hear and
experience the hopeful messages and actions of the church? May we also continue to lift
up The Gathering and each other in prayer each day.


Closing prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time to gather in your name. We thank you for your
ultimate gift of baby Jesus who was quietly born in Bethlehem so long ago. May we feel the
hope He still brings us today through simple and small daily occurrences...such as a smile,
a song, a prayer, a brief moment of gratitude, or a kind word. This week when we are feeling
fearful or even lacking hope, help us plug into - and share - our hope power source, which is
Christ the newborn King...who is alive and working in our lives. We pray this in your Son
Jesus' precious name.
Amen.