Faith Talk for December 25, 2016

With Us

GOD GIVES HIS PRESENCE

Luke2:10-12

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Summary

The true meaning of Christmas is a powerful story that is simple enough for children but easy to miss. In fact, one of our favorite explanations of the true meaning of Christmas is by Linus from A Charlie Brown Christmas.

In that climactic scene when Linus shares “what Christmas is all about,” he drops his security blanket. Most telling is the specific moment he drops it. He drops it just as he quotes Luke 2:10, “Do not be afraid…” he drops it just then.

Looking at it now, it is pretty clear what Charles Schultz (the creator of Peanuts and Charlie Brown) was saying, and it’s so simple it’s brilliant.

The birth of Jesus separates us from our fears.
The birth of Jesus frees us from the habits we are unable (or unwilling) to break ourselves.
The birth of Jesus allows us to simply drop the false security we have been grasping so tightly, and learn to trust and cling to Him instead.

Discussion

What stood out to you most in the service?
Share a time when you had to trust in Jesus to overcome your fear.
What false security are you grasping onto so tightly now?
Where do you need to trust and cling to Jesus this Christmas?

Prayer

Thank God for sending His Son as our Savior. Confess where you have had a fear instead of trust. Ask God to show you where you holding onto false security. Commit to trusting Christ with your fear and shining the light of His hope to those around you.

Prepared by Brian Stone

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