Christmas Reflections
The Glory of Christmas: Exalting Christ Through Actions
- The Christmas Reflections
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, did not want to publicly disgrace her, but intended to divorce her quietly… 24 But when Joseph awoke, he got up and did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took her as his wife. (Matthew 1:18-19, 24)
- The Origin of Christmas
22 All this was done to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet, 23 saying, “A virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” (Immanuel means “God with us.”) (Matthew 1:22-23)
Isaiah said, “Hear, you house of David! Is it not a small matter for you to bore people, but also for my God? Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: A virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”). (Isaiah 7:13-14)
But I know my plans for you. I have not planned for disaster, but for prosperity; I will make your future bright. (Jeremiah 29:11)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:1, 14, 12)
- The Christmas Response
24 Joseph awoke and got up, and did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took her as his wife; 25 but he did not consummate the marriage with her until she gave birth to a son, and he named him Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25)
Discussion Questions:
- What does the birth of Jesus Christ mean to you?
- What reflections can we draw from Joseph’s response to Mary’s pregnancy?
- How should we celebrate Christmas to glorify the Father and honor Jesus?
聖誕的反思
聖誕的榮耀：以行動讓基督被尊崇
- 聖誕的反思
18 耶穌基督降生的事記在下面：他母親馬利亞已經許配了約瑟，還沒有迎娶，馬利亞就從聖靈懷了孕。19 她丈夫約瑟是個義人，不願意明明地羞辱她，想要暗暗地把她休了⋯⋯ 24 約瑟醒了，起來，就遵著主使者的吩咐把妻子娶過來。 （馬太福音 1: 18-19，24）和合
- 聖誕的由來
22 這一切的事成就是要應驗主藉先知所說的話，23 說：必有童女懷孕生子；人要稱他的名為以馬內利。（以馬內利翻出來就是「神與我們同在」。） （馬太福音 1: 22-23）和合
以賽亞說：「大衛家啊，你們當聽！你們使人厭煩豈算小事，還要使我的神厭煩嗎？因此，主自己要給你們一個兆頭，必有童女懷孕生子，給他起名叫以馬內利（就是神與我們同在的意思）。（以賽亞書 7: 13-14）和合
惟有我知道我為你們安排的計劃：我計劃的不是災難，而是繁榮；我要使你們有光明的前程。（耶利米書 29: 11）現中
太初有道，道與神同在，道就是神。道成了肉身，住在我們中間。凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就賜他們權柄作神的兒女。（約翰福音 1: 1，14，12）和合
- 聖誕的回應
24 約瑟醒了，起來，就遵著主使者的吩咐把妻子娶過來；25 只是沒有和她同房，等她生了兒子，就給他起名叫耶穌。（馬太福音 1: 24-25）和合
思想及討論問題：
- 耶穌基督的誕生，對你來說有甚麼意義？
- 約瑟對馬利亞懷孕的回應，給我們有那些反思？
- 我們要怎樣過聖誕才能讓天父得榮耀、耶穌被尊崇？
