Rediscovering the Christmas Season

I've started this readingplan about called 'Rediscovering the Christmas Season'.
I thought it was just going to be one of those plan you read and maybe reflect on. Boy was I wrong. So I thought this time I will take the time and effort, so I created a blogg only for this purpose. If anyone happens to find this blogg and wants to read my journey through this Christmas Season, I welcome you with open arms. Feel free to add yourselfs as a follower if you like.

Matthew 1 and Luke 2:1-20

The Announcement

Exposure: Read the opening chapter of the New Testament—the account of Joseph, the earthly father God chose for His Son. (Matt. 1)

Exploration: Consider how the weight of generations of expectations affected Joseph's ability to step into such an awesome role. What do you think was going through Joseph's mind when the angel showed up and told them about Jesus?

I think that he must have thought that he was loosing his mind. I know that your innheritage was importhant in those days, much more than it is today. Today you are who you are, not who your forfathers where. On both the negative and the positive aspect. Joseph had great shoes to fill. I think that he might have wanted to part from Maria because of his ancestors. He didn't want to embarrace his family name. I think that it might have been easier for him once the shock settled. He saw with his own eyes and heard that this child was chosen. And that Maria hadn't been with any man... 

Expression: How would you have felt if you were Joseph? Discuss with a friend or journal about what this announcement meant to Joseph and to all of us.

After the obvious shock I think I would have felt honored. Special to be the one to be a father for Gods son. 
So many things could have been different if Joseph hadn's accepted this. It was one thing to be raised as an illegitamet child, but Maria could have been stoned. So Jesus might not have been born at all. So God did know this as he chose Joseph to be Marias husband. This child was going to save them all, sent from God. Save all of us. Without Jesus we would still be bound by a law there is no chance to follow. 

Experience: Have you had an experience where God asked you to do something that seemed ridiculous? Make a plan this Christmas season to do something ridiculous that you know God wants you to do.

 So far I can't remember that I've been asked to do something ridiculous. I'll let you know if something does turn up.

Terrified

Exposure: Read the account of the shepherds who became witnesses to Jesus' arrival.(Luke 2:1-20)

Exploration: Wonderful and terrifying at the same time! What do you think was going through the shepherd's minds when the angels appeared?

What is going on??? What is this?? Am I going to die now?? Is this the end?? At least I think that would have gone throug my mind. And what a sight it must have been. A taste of heaven with heavenly Angels with voices of heaven. How can I possible think of it without using the word heaven.

Expression: How would you have felt if you were given this news? Discuss with a friend or journal about your reflections of this miraculous scene. 

I have to admit that I might have been sceptical at once. But to have seen it and heard it, I think that I would have been awestruck. To have seen such a thing, and then doing what they said, seeing the child with my own eyes. I think I would have gone home and told eveyone about the Angels, and most importantly the baby. 

Experience: Have you had an experience where God interrupted your life with an important message? How was that a combination of terrifying and wonderful? Take time to pray—not to say anything to God, just to listen.
Sadly no, I'm not to good with taking the time to listen in prayers. Hopefully through this I get to come closer to God and find the time to listen. 



That was it for this time, 
till the next
God Bless you all!
Chrissie