Nativity and Family

The Nativity

Matt 2:1-12

Exposure: Read about the kings who came to worship Jesus. Look at the pieces of a nativity set and consider the features the artist used to show that the scene is centered on Christ.

Exploration: What do you think it would have been like to be right in the middle of that? What stance or position would you take in that scene?

I think I would have been like one of the sheperds, watching and marvelling. To be able to see this wonder with my own eyes. Yet to have been there you wouldn't have known what He came here to do. You would just have seen this fantastic kid and all these weird thing, not knowing that He was going to become our saviour.

Expression: The wise men worshiped Jesus by kneeling. Get on your knees and express to Him right now how much you love Him. How does just being in that position change the position of your heart?

It makes you more humble, you look more up to Him. Not because He becomes higher as you are lower, but because you see from another perspective. And you understand that this is where you should be, on your knees worshipping. Hopefully I can do that more often, specially since it didn't come to easy to lower myself like that. 

Experience: The wise men also worshiped by offering their best gifts. Think of a creative way to offer worship today that has nothing to do with singing.

Offer my time, maybe for someone who needs it. 


Adopt a Family

Galatians 4:1-7

Exposure: Read the passage about how we have been adopted as children of God through Christ. Many people adopt a family to help during Christmas. Find someone who needs a family this Christmas and make plans to be that family for them.

In Norway there isn't much in the way of helping out families like that. You can help though the salvation army or the likes. 

Exploration: What is the difference between adopting a family to help at Christmas and literally adopting a child into your family? What does this language communicate about God's commitment to loving us?

I've never adopted a family to help at Christmas, but I would suppose that when you have done your bit and Christmas has passed. You commitment are over. If you adopt a child into your own family, your commitment never end. The child becomes one of you, on the same level as your own children. It's a longer and deeper commitment. God wants us forever, He makes the choice and tells us that He really do want us. Maybe more than if we were born into the family, there are plenty of kids out there not wanted by their own kind. When you are adopted you are chosen for the person you are, not that it just happened to be you.

Expression: What rights and privileges do children of royalty have? What are some ways you don't fully live as if you were a child of God?

They are treated with respect wherever they go. They are born into roalty, not chosen.
They never have to worry, everything is provided.
They have pretty much everything they want, all the have to do is ask. It doesn't mean that they get everything they want ;)
I don't live as a royal child of God, specially in the no worry part. I worry about pretty much everything.

Experience: Find someone who has been adopted and talk to them about what it means in their life. Journal about what their experiences reveal to you about living as a child of God and loving others in that same way.

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Till next time, 
God Bless