Importance of Remembering 12/14/18

Announcements

Be in prayer for the mission trip

Next Week Christmas Party!

Bring friends. Tons of snacks/food

Lock-In, Dec 31st!

What, rules, etc.

IceBreaker

Will you celebrate Christmas when you have a family? Should parents tell their kids there is a Santa Claus or no Santa Claus?

Body

What are some of your favorite traditions around this time of year?

My experience: wake up early, watch a movie, eat cinnabons, wait looooong time, open presents, then go to family’s place

Questioning Tradition

Why do Americans do what they do?

Christmas tree, stalkings, presents?

Anyone know anything about the real St Nicholas?

John 1:1 NET

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God.

Weird stuff

Ancient History

Did the Jews Celebrate Christmas? What did they celebrate?

Had plenty of feasts and celebrations

Passover, Feast of Weeks/Pentecost

Why?

Deuteronomy 8:2 NET

Remember the whole way by which he has brought you these forty years through the desert so that he might, by humbling you, test you to see if you have it within you to keep his commandments or not.

Holidays and traditions were not divorced from their meaning: it was about remembering

Questions

Do you or your family have any odd or weird traditions you guys like? Anything you wish you could add or remove?

Look up a few passages: , , , . What does the Bible say about remembering? Why were the Jews to remember, and why did God emphasize that He remembers?

What value has tradition added to your life? Is there any harm in removing all our current traditions and just starting over?

If Jesus had never been born, how do you think America would be different? How would the world be different?

America is known throughout the world as a “Christian nation”. In what ways do you think the current traditions of Christmas reflect Christianity or tarnish Christianity? (Santa Clause, getting presents, trees with ornaments, egg nog, Christmas movies, etc.) Why or why not?

Closing

How traditions change

trying to be all gung-ho on Christmas morning at 4am, fizzled out

Instead, reading the Bible each Christmas morning

The Wonder of Jesus

You’re going to hear a lot of things about the season, what people do and why

All you need to know is this: remember Jesus and how wonderful He is

God parked His soul inside a human body forever, and rather than being a continent away, He’s right down the block

We celebrate His birthday because we love His life and How He has changed us

What should we be remembering? What you value is what you should remember

This season is because of Jesus

Self-sacrifice for others, generosity, and family

Closing prayer

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Discipleship- you can’t do this on your own

Christmas party next week!!!!