God Is With Us

In one paragraph

The Christmas Eve service at First B was built around the nativity story read straight from Scripture, woven together with congregational singing and a candlelight close. There was no new argument to make; the aim was to let the story do its work and invite everyone in the room to respond to it. The whole night moved from celebration toward a personal invitation to believe. The service opened with...

Read together

1. Isaiah 7:14 prophecy read aloud: the virgin will conceive and bear Emmanuel
2. Isaiah 9:6-7 prophecy read aloud: a child is born, wonderful counselor, prince of peace, government without end
3. Micah 5:2 prophecy read aloud: Bethlehem, small village, a ruler will come from you
4. Matthew 1:18-25 nativity reading: Mary's pregnancy, Joseph's dream, angel's announcement
5. Luke 2:1-20 nativity reading: census, birth in Bethlehem, shepherds and angels
6. Matthew 2:1-11 nativity reading: wise men, Herod, star, gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh
7. John 3:16 quoted to connect God's giving with the offering appeal
8. John 8:12 Jesus says I am the light of the world, used in candle lighting
9. John 1:5 the light shines in darkness and darkness can never extinguish it, spoken at candle lighting
10. Revelation 1:8 he was and is and is yet to come, pointing to Christ's return

Talk about it

1. The service opened with the reminder that Jesus came to earth to live among us, die for us, rise for us, and reign. Which of those four things is most meaningful to you personally this Christmas, and why?
2. The nativity readings showed very different people responding to Jesus' birth: Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men. Which of their responses do you most identify with, and what does that tell you about where you are with God right now?
3. The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem after hearing from the angel, and then went back telling everyone what had happened. What would it look like for you to share that same news in your own life after Christmas?
4. John 3:16 was quoted to show that God's giving and our giving are connected. How does knowing that God gave His Son shape the way you think about generosity toward people around you?
5. The service closed with the reminder from Revelation 1:8 that Jesus was, and is, and is yet to come. How does looking forward to His return change the way you think about the Christmas season, beyond just looking back at His birth?