Getting Ready for Christmas Discussion Guide - Week 4

Welcome
Hello friends and welcome to the fourth week in our series named “Getting ready for Christmas.” So far, we have discussed cleaning our spaces and opening our hearts, decorating as a way to prepare for the season, and inviting people to the celebration of the birth of Jesus. This week we will be discussing actions we can take now that everything is ready. It is truly great to get to this place of action because that is where some of the real magic of Christmas can be found. Let us open this time together with a prayer.


Opening Prayer
Oh God, your love for us has no limit. Your perpetual grace is such an awesome blessing. Thank you for your guidance with gathering this group together so that we can experience you and the greatness of this season of Christmas. Please bless our time and our conversation. It is in your name we pray, amen.


Ice Breaker
Christmas time is typically filled with many joyful events, if you choose to plan them. What are your favorite things to plan around the holidays? Is it get-togethers, meals, maybe a destination? What events bring you joy?


The Head
Ok, now we covered some of these verses last week when we discussed the different invitations people in the Bible received preceding the birth of Jesus. This week we will read an expanded selection of these verses that include Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, a relative of Mary’s, and the mother of John the Baptist. Pay close attention to the actions these important women took after they knew God was moving in their lives.

Luke 1:26-56

26 When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, 27 to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” 29 She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. 31 Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father. 33 He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.”

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t had sexual relations with a man?”

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son. 36 Look, even in her old age, your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son. This woman who was labeled ‘unable to conceive’ is now six months pregnant. 37 Nothing is impossible for God.” 38 Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

39 Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. 40 She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 With a loud voice she blurted out, “God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the child you carry. 43 Why do I have this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.”

46 Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! 47 In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. 48 He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant. Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored 49 because the mighty one has done great things for me, Holy is his name. 50 He shows mercy to everyone,from one generation to the next, who honors him as God. 51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations. 52 He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed. 54 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, 55 just as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.

• What actions can you identify in this selection of verses?
• The verses kind of brush over the journey Mary took to get to Elizabeth. Bible Scholars have determined that Mary probably traveled between 80-100 miles through terrain that was hot, rocky, and steep in places. It was also very dangerous for a woman to be traveling alone. We don't know if she accompanied a caravan for safety, but estimates place the travel time between 3 to 5 days. What do you think about this journey?
• Verses 46 - 55 are sometimes referred to as Mary’s song. Her words are a beautiful testament to God and the blessing bestowed upon her. When you realize that Mary was a young teenager when all of this happened, it's truly amazing. How do you think a commoner, like Mary, with limited life experiences and resources did all of this?
• These verses do not say how Elizabeth knew immediately that Mary was pregnant, but they do say Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. The timeline of this event seems like Mary was maybe one or two weeks pregnant. How does knowing this change the story? 

The Heart
In summary this week, we have Elizabeth, who is old and 6 months pregnant, and Mary, a pregnant teenage virgin making an epic journey. So many parts of this story seem impossible. But despite the realm of possibility, both women moved forward with intention. Both women felt inspired. Both women chose to take action in preparation for what we celebrate at Christmas. It is truly astounding, but we can move forward with taking action in our lives too.

• Taking action is sometimes physical, like Mary's journey, or emotional, like Elizabeth’s reaction. What other actions can you name when moving with intention? 
• How does strong emotion affect your Christmas preparations this year? In what ways can we rely on our faith to help navigate those challenging emotions?
• Have you felt inspired to move with intention this holiday season? If so, describe what those feelings have inspired.

The Hands
Typically, the Hands section of the CoreGroup curriculum is a call to action that supports movement, which is the perfect segway into this week's theme of action and intention. When it comes to the Christmas season, there are many opportunities to use your gifts and time to bless others. How you use your gifts and time can be really impactful.

• Christmas is upon us! What can you do this week to allow God’s guidance?
• Even prayers are actions. Sending messages, helping out at food pantries, and donating to the needy are fantastic options. What actions might you pursue? 
• What actions might the Holy Spirit be nudging you to do that you haven’t said aloud? (Share if you're comfortable.)

Closing Prayer
Hey God, thank you for the gift of taking action. The Holy Spirit is our friend and we rejoice in the direction that friendship provides. Please bless our efforts and forgive us when we stumble. We ask that you guide us and show us new possibilities to help others. It is in your name we pray, amen.


References
Biblical Travels: How Far And Long Have They Gone, With Or Without The Donkey? 

From Pastor Charity
In the midst of a busy world, God speaks to us in still, small moments. Prayer helps us slow down and remain open to Holy moments within our souls. There are hundreds of ways to pray. You’re invited to try on a new way to pray at the Hope & Healing Service on Tuesday, January 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the McCausland site.

This meaningful evening will include worship and guided experiences designed to help you center yourself and embrace the hope and healing of Jesus in the New Year. Workshop options include singing Lectio Divina (divine reading of scripture), art and prayer, listening and prayer, as well as yoga and prayer.

This is a unique time of worship and reflection you don’t want to miss! Sign up here and bring a friend!