Breaking Ground
What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?
The Dig
This Sunday, we celebrated the birth of Jesus & the Incarnation as part of our Christmas Eve gathering!
Begin by reading Luke 1:26-38. Here, we find the story of Jesus’ mother Mary who, shockingly, is an unwed, poor, oppressed Israelite woman. As such, Mary is definitely not who a 1st century Israelite would have expected to be the mother of the Messiah.
What do you imagine was going through Mary’s mind during this experience? Would you have responded to this situation like Mary does?
Next, read Luke 1:46-55. Here, we find Mary processing through this experience through a powerful song.
What themes does Mary connect to the upside-down way that Jesus arrived to the world? Why do you think Mary draws these conclusions from Christ’s arrival? How does it transform how she understands herself & her larger world?
How does God coming to us as us change how we think about God’s presence in our lives & world? How does God arriving like this change how we understand God?
Consider a part of your life or world that feels chaotic, broken, or upended. Are you struggling to find hope, joy, peace, & love within what you’ve identified? How can you relate to Mary in this part of your life?
How might Mary’s example help you better navigate what you’ve identified? How could your growth group help you find Christ with you in the midst of the chaos in this Christmas season?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time this week to express gratitude for & reflect upon what Christ’s incarnation revealed about our universe. Consider how this great act of love invites you personally to discover God with you & for you (no matter what circumstances you find yourself in).
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent & Christmas
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
January 4th: Join us in 2026 to reflect upon what it means to be a Christian in 2026!* Please see mye3.org for details.