This is lesson 1 of 3 in the Uncluttered sermonlink series. See also the kids edition and youth lesson, or watch the full live sermon.
While Christmas should be a time of joy and celebration, it’s often a source of stress. Between decorating, shopping, cooking, party-planning, party-attending, kids programs, family visits and a million other things, the Christmas season can blow through our lives like a hurricane that leaves us exhausted. So how can we move beyond all this clutter and actually enjoy the true beauty and meaning of Christmas? The secret to an uncluttered Christmas is to make room for what God says really matters.
With all of the competing priorities during the holidays, one of the things we need to make sure we have room for is relationships. Most agree that Christmas is a time for connecting with friends and family, but with so many relational connections in our lives, where do we prioritize our time and energy? The story of Mary receiving the news that she would give birth to Jesus gives us a great example of how to do this.
Prioritize your relationship with God
Your first and most important relationship in life is with God. You’ll never experience the real joy of Christmas if he isn’t a genuine priority. When Mary had a radical encounter with God, it immediately changed God’s place in her life.
Luke 1:26-38 …God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary…Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus… “Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.
This news certainly wasn’t part of Mary’s life plan. But when she connected with God, he became her top priority. She set her own plans and agendas aside to seek and serve the Lord. If you have had a genuine encounter with God, it should cause you to make him your top priority and certainly make room for him during Christmas! We can do this by taking time to pray, read the Bible, and remember the true meaning behind all the Christmas symbols.
[Related: Can We Believe in the Virgin Birth]
Prioritize your relationship with “family”
God created us for deep connections with others, whether family or close friends. Part of how we prioritize God is by investing in those relationships he’s blessed us with. This is exactly what Mary did.
Luke 1:39-41 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Mary’s response to God was to go and share the news with her family. She knew how important it was to connect with them during this important time. We need to also recognize the priority of our family and honor God by honoring them. Not everyone has blood relatives around them, and some may not be in a position to connect with them. If this is the case, invest with the “family” God has give you. This could be close friends, your small group at church, or other important people in your life. If you have kids, lead them by helping them discover and focus on Jesus during Christmas. Make sure you have traditions that are not only fun, but meaningful.
[Related: Family Dinners Are Important]
Prioritize your relationship with outsiders
In Mary’s story, we also discover that God has a unique heart for the outsider. As she praises God, she recognizes God’s care for the lowly, the poor, the hungry and the humble.
Luke 1:46-53 Mary responded,“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed…. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.
Just as God clearly cares for the outsider, so should we. We can’t cocoon ourselves into safe, comfortable, easy relationships. God calls us to love people who are different than us and who need to experience God’s love through us. So include some outsiders, such as single moms or elderly neighbors, in your Christmas traditions, and make new traditions that spend time with those who are hurting or lonely.
[Related: Creating an Outwardly Focused Small Group]
Ultimately, if these priorities seem challenging, simply remember what God has done for us. He chose to connect with us, make us part of his family, and change us from outsider to insider through the cross of Jesus. This should motivate us to have the same priorities.
[Related: God’s Heart for the Poor]
Discussion Questions:
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions with family and friends?
- Why do you think the Christmas holiday has become universally seen as a time to connect with family and friends?
- Read Luke 1:26-31. Mary moved from being “confused and disturbed” to being willing to follow God fairly quickly. What do you think made this change in her attitude?
- What are some practical ways to make God more of a priority during the Christmas season?
- Read Luke 1:39-41. Why do you think Mary chose to go visit her cousin Elizabeth? Do you believe that it’s important to prioritize family during Christmas? Why or why not?
- Where can someone who does not have family around find close meaningful connections? If you have family around, how can you include those without family in your Christmas season?
- Read Luke 1:46-53. What are some of the ways Mary acknowledges God’s heart for the lowly and the outsider in these verses?
- Who are some of the outsiders in your life? How could you include them in your Christmas?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
