Theme:
There are three sets of readings for Christmas day. The first is read on Christmas eve. The second is read early on Christmas day. This set is read during the day. This set of readings speaks of the coming of Jesus. There is a sense of joy in the readings. It talks of God showing his power as he fulfills his promise.
Questions:
Day 1: The first reading speaks is a victorious cry of God's salvation.
The good news that Isaiah was talking about is the birth of Jesus. How is the birth of Jesus good news to you?
In verse 7, Isaiah who are those who have beautiful feet? (There are 4 of these).
What do each of these mean?
How do these relate to you?
Day 2: The first reading continues with Isaiah telling his listeners to lift up their voice, to sing. Isaiah mentioned at least three reasons for doing so.
What are these reasons for doing so?
What do each of these mean?
Can you recall events in your life where the Lord did all these things for you?
Day 3: The Psalm tells us to sing a new song to the Lord because he has done marvelous things.
What marvelous thing has the Lord done for you in the past week?
The psalm proclaims the victory of God. How has God shown his victory to you?
The psalm says that all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of God. This psalm is fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. When Jesus comes to your life, you will also see the victory of God. Do you want to see the victory of God? What will you say to Jesus?
Day 4: The last half of the psalm has a mood of joy and celebration. Jesus came to give us a full life. He came so that we may have joy. If this is so, we can say that he was joyful, even in the midst of his suffering and death.
Obviously then, joy is not a feeling or emotion. Based on this psalm, what should we have joy?
Jesus came so that our joy will be full. Will you say that you have joy in your life? What will you tell Jesus?
Day 5: The author of the Letter to the Hebrews says that God has spoken to us through Jesus. If God speaks to us, we must also listen.
How can you listen to what God is saying to you?
The author also said that Jesus is the heir of all things. What does it mean that Jesus is the heir of all things? How is that relevant to you?
The author also says that Jesus is the exact imprint of God's very being. What did he mean by that?
Day 6: The gospel reading is the prologue to the gospel of John. It presents Jesus as the Word of God through whom all things were created. It also describes Jesus as the light.
John describes Jesus as being with God in the beginning. This shows that Jesus is God. John also said that not one thing came into being without him. This includes everyone of us. What does it mean to you that God created you through Jesus?
John continues to say that in Jesus is life. If you are created in Jesus, you should have HIS life. What does it mean to have the life of Jesus?
John said that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. When Jesus comes, he brings light and nothing can win over his light. Are you living in this victory of Jesus? What do you want to tell Jesus?
Day 7: The gospel continues that Jesus came to the world. When John speaks of the world, he refers to the unredeemed and sinful creation, including us.
Jesus wants to come to your life. Do you know him? Do you accept him? These two questions can be summed up in one questions - do you have a personal relationship with him? What should you do to improve your relationship with Jesus?
John said that for all who received Jesus, he gave them power to be children of God. What does it mean to have power to be children of God?
John says that from the fullness of Jesus, we received grace upon grace. What does it mean to receive grace upon grace?
