Christmas Prayer and Reflection

We had our second Prayer and Reflection night. The first one was centered around the cross, this one was all about Christmas and Jesus coming to earth. Here were the "stations" and some of the key questions that were asked:

Dreams and Angels

God used supernatural means to communicate to both Mary and Joseph. Using dreams and angels, He was able to lay out His plans for Mary, Joseph, and ultimately Jesus.

What plans has God laid on your heart?

How did He communicate them to you?

If you don’t feel like you have any direction in life, of feel afraid like Mary and Joseph did – pray and ask God to help direct your life and then to have the courage to follow through with the direction that He gives.

Manger

Why did God send Jesus to be born in a cow trough? There has to be a good reason, I mean you sending the worlds savior and you choose for him to be born in a barn. I mean the transition from heaven to a stinky stable? Why?

Maybe it was making a point that Jesus did not come to set up an earthly kingdom?

Maybe it was showing the humility of God?

Maybe it was so Jesus could relate to all people to be like that of the poor so he understands?

Maybe God thought right from the beginning I will show servant-hood and a willingness to be associated with “low class” things. It wasn’t about the outside for Jesus; it wasn’t about a royal birth. It was about coming to save mankind from their sin.

In what ways do we not want to associate with dirty places, dirty people, when all along we should prefer others before ourselves?

Jesus was born in a dirty place you would never wish any child to be born in. Jesus was very comfortable to be around people of low class and outcasts.

Do you judge people by their social or physical appearance?

Why don’t we desire to be with people who would be considered dirty and outcasts?

Maybe starting now be a friend to those with no friends instead of working your way up through the socially acceptable.

Shepherds

The Bible says that the Shepherd’s ran to Bethlehem to find baby Jesus. You may say well after seeing angels anyone would run. That may be true, but do you run after God, do you want to see Jesus work in your life. Are you anxious for Jesus? Are you anxious to worship him because he forgives you, and helps you to forgive, and allows you to go to heaven?

Run after God and give him thanks. Don’t just run when you see a miracle. Decide in your heart to run after Jesus, Day by Day.

Maybe you can’t run after God because you have so many things that tie you down. If you are running after God, it means you have to drop some things so you can run with some effectiveness.

How strongly do you feel that you’re running after God?

Do you feel like there are things that are getting in the way of your pursuit of Him?

Pray and ask God to help You leave anything behind that might be slowing you up from fully running after Him.

The Star

The star was a supernatural occurrence. Its purpose was to lead people to Jesus, which is why some people speculate that the Star was in fact the Holy Spirit, since pointing to Jesus is one of His main roles.

- what lead you to Jesus

- take some time to thank God for leading you to Jesus

- don’t you wish sometimes that your friends who don’t know Jesus could just see a supernatural star/ miracle that would lead them to Him? Do you think God could use you to help point your friends to Jesus?

Wise men

The Wise men came a long ways to worship Jesus. It wasn’t easy, they had to come a very long way, but they wanted to worship to King.

Through life you will have to choose whether you want to give God credit and thanks. You may not feel like it but it’s the choice of bringing God your thanks and worship.

The wise men also gave gifts of worth, something that was costly to them. They gave their best.

What do you give God? Your dreams, your future, your talents and abilities.

Don’t give God something that cost’s you nothing. Giving him worship only at Christian events is not your best, it means whenever you think about God, and wherever you are, in your room, at school. You thank God for all he’s done.

You also lay down things in your life that God doesn’t want you to do, that too is worship.

Any thoughts on the night?