When the world, or my own personal world, feels at war, I ask for Your mighty hand over me, declaring Your hope and peace.
Christmas time is upon us, and as our hearts fill with joy as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, it creates a sweet opportunity to saturate ourselves in God’s Word. Yet, as lovely as that may sound, maybe you aren’t sure where to start. Maybe the thoughts of combing through verses that share the Christmas story or help you draw closer to Jesus seem a bit overwhelming and daunting. Well, sweet sis, not to worry because I’ve got you covered!
While the Gospels of Luke and Matthew lay out the birth of our King, and there are references in the Old Testament alluding to Jesus’ birth, if you are craving a simple and easy plan, you’ve come to the right place! Below, you will find a four-week Christmas Bible Study plan that will allow you to submerge yourself in the Word by focusing on one or two central verses, then reflecting on those verses throughout the week with thought-provoking questions, and ending by posturing your heart in prayer.
While you can certainly begin this study any time, you will likely find it most useful in the four weeks leading up to Christmas. So, with that, snag your Bible and settle in because this is going to be time well worth spending this season!
Week One
Read Luke 1:26-38 and Luke 2:4-20. While Luke didn’t know Jesus personally, he did travel with Paul after the accession to help preach the good news. He was also a physician by trade, so talk about healing both body and soul (Colossians 4:14)! Luke is also the go-to gospel when it comes to beautifully sharing the Christmas story. So, let’s unpack this account and see what God is trying to say to us here.
Overview: Luke paints a rather unconventional, yet humbling story as God orchestras every single detail from the fear that grips Mary in Luke 1:29-30 to her complete surrender to the Lord in Luke 1:38. For further reading, Luke 1:39-45 shares the sweet encounter with Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, and the tender exchange of greetings between baby Jesus and John the Baptist in the womb!
Luke also describes the whimsical host of heavenly angels and the confusion and shock of the shepherds in Luke 2:8-9. He then shares how they quickly responded to their plea to find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger (Luke 2:16-18).
Reflect on these questions:
1. What do you gather about the nature and character of Mary and the shepherds?
2. How can the humble beginnings of Christ’s birth and the immediate responses from these meek and mild characters cause you to walk humbly and monitor your own responses to the Lord?
Prayer: God, thank you for this precious time of year and for the birth of Your Son, Jesus. Open the eyes of my heart to remember that You hold every detail of my life and that Your plan always holds a greater purpose. Amen.
Week Two
Read Matthew 1:18-24. As we read this account from the tax-collector-turned-disciple, we see several similarities to Luke’s version of the birth story. However, while Luke tends to tell the story from Mary’s point of view, Matthew shares more of Joseph’s side. Matthew also gets more into the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17 and the Magi in Matthew 2:1-9, if you wish for further research and reading. Matthew’s writing also highlights many references to the Old Testament and is more topical and based on certain themes. With that, let’s dig in!
Overview: Matthew really taps into the distress Joseph must have felt upon first hearing of Mary’s unexpected pregnancy (Matthew 1:19). In those times, engagements lasted for up to a year and were legally binding and, therefore, calling for devastating consequences (including stoning to death) if a woman were to become pregnant during this time.
Yet, God’s plan conquered those fears when the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, calming his heart (Matthew 1:20-22). When Joeseph awakes, he immediately does what the Lord asks of him and, in an act of obedience, brings Mary home, keeps her safe, and does not consummate their marriage until after Jesus is born (Matthew 1:24).
Reflect on these questions:
1. What do you gather about the nature and character of Joseph?
2. God often calls the lowly to a greater purpose. Mary and Joseph must have felt so ill-equipped to be the parents of the Savior, yet they trusted the Lord. Is there an area in your life where you need to surrender to the Lord and fully trust Him and His plan?
Prayer: Father, You are so very good to me and have such a tender way of drawing near in this season. I humbly ask that You stay close and lead, direct, and guide me as I place my hope and trust in You heading into this new year. Amen.
Week Three
Read John 1:14 and John 14:1-7. John wrote his account towards the end of his life, and while there is no documentation of Jesus’ actual birth story, this “disciple who Jesus loved” (John 21:7) takes a rather personal approach in his writing style. More than any other book in the New Testament, John presents Jesus as the divine Son of God. His literary characteristics bring forth a more theological retelling of sorts and share how the Christian community has a unique purpose and identity.
Overview: John 1:14 alludes to Jesus becoming “flesh,” therefore, creating the second person in the Trinity. John emphasizes the fact that Jesus was truly, fully, and physically human; even more than that, John presses that Jesus came from the Father God. John also notes here that God temporarily “dwelled” with His people, as the perfect Man-God.
In John 14:1-7, we see Christ speaking to His disciples, reassuring them that faith in Him is the same as faith in God. This conversation took place right before Jesus’ arrest, trial, and brutal death. Jesus sensed His beloved disciples were troubled and being gripped by fear, so in this passage, He shares words of comfort and hope. Jesus is speaking of the eternal hope they will have as He prepares a place for them in His Father’s house, which has many rooms (John 14:1-4).
Reflect on these questions:
1. How does knowing that Christ walked this earth as a man, and knew of the mental, emotional, and physical pains we all share as human beings, give you comfort?
2. Just like the disciples, we can be swayed by our emotions and let the troubles of this world bend us towards fear. How can the truth behind Jesus’ statement that declares He is preparing a space for those who love Him in heaven give you peace today?
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for providing a way to the Father, giving us truth, and offering us an abundant life. You are our source of eternal hope. As we celebrate Your monumental birth and the victory it brings for all those who love You, I rejoice and praise Your holy name. Amen.
Week Four
Read Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 9:6-7. This week, we flip back to the Old Testament and see how Jesus was a prophetic promise delivered to God’s people. Isaiah was a prophet who preached God’s message to the southern part of Judah during a turbulent time when the Israelites were living in unethical ways and morally declining. Isaiah’s mission and call by God was to give the people comfort and hope while sharing that God’s justice can be wrapped in mercy and grace.
Overview: Isaiah 7:14 is linked to the New Testament in Mathew 1:23, which foretells of the promised Messiah. This bold message was delivered to Ahaz, the king of Judah, stating that no other kings or rulers would destroy the lineage of David and that God would one day come in human form. This prophecy eventually came to be 700 years later, when Mary became pregnant with the Son of God.
Isaiah 9:6-9 is often read at Christmas Eve services or appears on Christmas cards as a “sweet” verse, but make no mistake about it, these verses pack power and hold so much meaning, especially to us as believers! When Isaiah was giving this message, there was turmoil between the northern and southern parts of Judah and Assyria, and King Ahaz was growing fearful. Yet, this message signals the ushering in of a new reign, one of power and peace. Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace brings forth a tender depiction of God’s relationship with His beloved people and protection of them by His mighty hand.
Reflect on these questions:
1. Read John 14:3, Matthew 24:26-27, and Luke 21:25-28. How does the prophecy of the Old Testament being brought forth and played out in the New Testament give you hope for your future knowing Jesus will one day return?
2. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. Our God encompasses all power and majestic might while extending tender love and peace. When the world feels at odds, how can you cling to these names of God and let them remind you of Who God is?
Prayer: Father God, how can I even begin to show my gratitude for Your power, love, and grace? Please forgive me when I fail to see the magnitude of Your protection and the fierceness of Your love. When the world, or my own personal world, feels at war, I ask for Your mighty hand over me, declaring Your hope and peace. I love you so much and thank you for the blessing of Your precious Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Robert Thiemann/Unsplash
