The Purpose Behind the Gift December 9, 2018

My family loves Christmas time. Every year it looks like the Spirit of Christmas threw up in our living room. We love having the tree, the cookies, the stockings, the Nativity, and we especially love the Christmas movies. Old movies like White Christmas and It Happened on Fifth Avenue, new movies like Elf and Home Alone, and one of our absolute favorites is Charlie Brown Christmas. In the movie, the Peanuts gang is putting on a Christmas play and Charlie Brown can’t get into the spirit of the holiday. At one point he yells out in frustration, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” At this point the forever blanket toting Linus pipes up and recites the Christmas story. When Linus recites, "Fear not, for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy…” he drops his blanket! The earthy possession that gave him security in the past has been replaced by the gospel which will give him security as a member of God’s family forever.

If you would like to watch the clip we are talking about here is the URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNMgmf0NTO4

Icebreaker: What is your favorite Christmas movie and why?

Read Luke 2:8-15

1. What stand out to you? Did you notice anything new reading it at this time of year?

2. The reason Christmas was necessary is because our sin made it necessary. How does knowing that Christmas happened for us give you security?

3. What happens when we find our identity in something other than Christ? Why is that a lesser identity?

4. What insecurity do you have in your life right now? How can the people in your group help you in the next week to find security in Christ?