Christmas Shapes Our Lives - Luke 1 & 2

It’s Christmas Time!

-What is your favorite part about Christmas?

-How about all the conflict that it brings?

No matter what your favorit part about Christmas is, there is no getting around the fact, Christmas has an affect.

When we decorate for Christmas, we unpack the holiday conflicts as well.

The affect of Christmas...

Celebration- It is a great time to fight about whose house do we go to.

Tradition- It is a great time to fight about what tradtions we start.

Budget- how much will the fantasy cost?

Clothing- ugly sweater?

How do we get away from seasonal conflict to life change?

Is there a way of encountering God this season that will change our lives?

Life shaping change comes from a decision to unconditionally surrender to God’s interaction (call, activity) with our lives.

Shock & Awe

The point of decision is often very distant from the outcome.

Points of decision: decision to follow Christ, engagement,

Failed Prayer - Zachariah’s failed attempts.

Gabriel speaks good news to Zacheriah

Lk 1:11-25

Decision Point: Gabriel’s message

Outcome: He wrote the name; fear > all who heard them laid them up in their hearts

Lk 1:63-66 “And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.”

Lived Expereince - Shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Lk 2:8-20

The angel speaks good news to the shepherds

Decision Point: Gabriel’s message

Outcome: They hastely go to the find “the sign”- a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger > all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them

Youthful Faithfulness - Mary’s

Gabriel speaks good news to Mary

Decision Point: Gabriel’s message

Outcome: Mary visits Elizabeth; exclaimation and blessing

Surrender

Conditional vs. unconditional

One of the main reasons that we have seasonal conflicts is that we have conditions on the out comes. We still want to win. We want our idea of the holidays to win. We want the magic of Chirstmas just the way we want it.

Mary’s prayer of willingness > Jesus prayer of willingness.

Life shaping change comes from a decision to unconditionally surrender to God’s interaction (call, activity) with our lives.

Questions...

What holiday conflicts have you unpacked this year?

How have you seen God’s activity in your life this semester and/or season?

Are you willing to unconditionally surrender to God’s call in your life?

If so, what do you think the outcome is God has in mind for you? If not, what is holding you back from undonditional surrender?