Ten Questions To Ask At Christmas Gatherings

From Donald Whitney:

Many of us struggle to make conversation at Christmas gatherings, whether church events, work-related parties, neighborhood drop-ins, or annual family occasions. Sometimes our difficulty lies in having to chat with people we rarely see or have never met. At other times we simply don’t know what to say to those with whom we feel little in common. Moreover, as Christians we want to take advantage of the special opportunities provided by the Christmas season to share our faith, but are often unsure how to begin. Here’s a list of questions designed not only to kindle a conversation in almost any Christmas situation, but also to take the dialogue gradually to a deeper level. Use them in a private conversation or as a group exercise, with believers or unbelievers, with strangers or with family.

1. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you since last Christmas?
2. What was your best Christmas ever? Why?
3. What’s the most meaningful Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
4. What was the most appreciated Christmas gift you’ve ever given?
5. What was your favorite Christmas tradition as a child?
6. What is your favorite Christmas tradition now?
7. What do you do to try to keep Christ in Christmas?
8. Why do you think people started celebrating the birth of Jesus?
9. Do you think the birth of Jesus deserves such a nearly worldwide celebration?
10. Why do you think Jesus came to earth?

Of course, remember to pray before your Christmas gatherings. Ask the Lord to grant you “divine appointments,” to guide your conversations, and to open doors for the gospel. May He use you to bring glory to Christ this Christmas.

Which One Are You: Reservoir or Canal?

 

Christmas Wisdom from the 10th century:

If you are wise therefore you will show yourself a reservoir and not a canal. For a canal pours out as fast as it takes in; but a reservoir waits till it is full before it over flows, and so communicates its surplus…We have all too few such reservoirs in the Church at present, though we have canals in plenty.

– Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermons on Song of Songs

Preaching from 2 Kings 11: “The Day We Almost Lost Christmas”

 

Here is the audio and manuscript for my message on Sunday night:

 

Sermon Audio:

 

Sermon Manuscript:

 

Big Idea: Though at times the kingdom of God is seemingly on the verge of extinction it will endure, if not in a surprising way!

Was There Really No Room At The Inn?

I just saw this posted over at Koinonia and had to share it:

We are used to Christmas plays and TV specials which feature Joseph and Mary being told “there is no room at the inn” by a burly looking innkeeper. As the birth of Jesus comes closer, they make the best of a bad situation and hunker down in a stable.

But were there really inns in Bethlehem at all?

“The ‘inn’ (katalyma) was probably not an ancient hotel with an innkeeper,  since a small village like Bethlehem would not have had such accommodations. Luke uses a different Greek word in Luke 10:34 for a roadside inn (pandocheion).

The word katalyma normally means either a guest room in a private residence or a caravansary, an informal public shelter where travelers would gather for the night.

The most likely scenario is that Joseph and Mary were staying with relatives or friends and, because of crowded conditions, were forced to a place reserved for animals.”

From “Four Portraits, One Jesus: An Introduction to Jesus and the Gospels” by Mark L. Strauss