H2H: The First Christmas Carol (December 1st)


Opener

  • What things amaze you most? Or what has been the most amazing experience you have ever had? 
  • Why doesn’t the Christmas story seem as amazing to us? Or why don’t we act like the Christmas story is amazing? 

Read

Take turns reading passages through the section. If you have children involved, this is a great time to include the readers. 

[39] In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, [40] and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. [41] And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, [42] and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! [43] And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. [45] And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
[46] And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
[47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
[48] for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
[49] for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
[50] And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
[51] He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
[52] he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
[53] he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
[54] He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
[55] as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

(Luke 1:39–55, ESV)

Watch Video

Encourage participants to have a pen and paper to write down questions they may have. Then, if they are not answered throughout the study, they can ask them. 

Talk About It


Luke 1:39-45

“This is how everyone should respond to Jesus Christ: by trusting in him as Savior and rejoicing in him as Lord. We have even better reason to believe in Jesus than John and Elizabeth had. They rejoiced over his conception, but we also rejoice for his crucifixion and resurrection. This is why Luke wrote his gospel: so we would know for sure that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was raised again to give us eternal life. Now everyone who believes in Jesus leaps for joy and calls him Lord.”

Phillip Ryken
  • In today’s text, Elizabeth and John the Baptist(pre-born) meet Jesus for the first time. Share how you came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 
  • Elizabeth was filled with the holy spirit and responded with great joy. In the same way, if you have come to faith in Christ, then you have been filled with the Holy Spirit. How has your life been transformed since coming to Christ? 
  • FOR THE KIDS: How has knowing about Jesus and His Bible helped you? 

Luke 1:46-50

  • Magnify or minimize, those are the options when we encounter the big realities of God’s gift of Christ Jesus.  In what way do you tend to minimize the miracle of Christmas?  In what ways could we intentionally do better at magnifying them? 
  • FOR THE KIDS: What is the most amazing thing about the Christmas story that you know? Why? 

Luke 1:51-55

  • Describe a time you have seen God provide for you and how that has helped your faith in other circumstances.
  • FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: In what ways would you like God to help you? Spend time praying for them. 

Bring It Home

Mary’s response to this great news was to sing a song! What is your favorite Christmas song about the birth of Christ?  Take time to sing a few together (It’s ok to use a YouTube video to help).