Guest Speaker: Dr. Steven Jones
Scripture Passage: John 1:1-18

Reflect on how we as Christians celebrate Christmas. Is it any different from how our American culture celebrates Christmas? Allow God to interrupt your plans and to reorient your priorities as we begin this Advent season by remembering the Forgotten Story from John’s gospel. In John 1:1-18 we read the Christmas story from God’s perspective and we find four truths that God reveals to us through Jesus.

1. God sent Jesus from Heaven.
2. God sent Jesus into a dark world.
3. God sent Jesus in the flesh.
4. God sent Jesus with Grace and Truth.

These four truths revealed by God through Jesus summarize the gospel story found in the familiar verse in John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Questions for Reflection and Discussion:

How can you celebrate Christmas ‘differently’ this year to reflect the truths found in John 1:1-18?

Jesus was not God’s (creator God) highest creation. Jesus was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Nothing was made apart from Him. How was ‘God becoming flesh’ a demonstration of His love for you?

Grace is defined as “getting a good thing you don’t deserve.”

Pray and thank God for His grace given through Jesus.