Desired Takeaway
To help participants recognize the ways cultural or religious traditions can either distract from or deepen our celebration of Christ, and to practically re-center Christmas around Jesus—through discernment, consecration, and spiritual intentionality.

Icebreaker Question
What’s one Christmas tradition (big or small) that has meaning to you—and why?

1. LEAN IN (Warm-up Question)

• Have you ever felt torn between rejecting Christmas consumerism and wanting to fully enjoy the season? How do you usually respond to that tension?

2. LOOK DOWN (Exploring Scripture Together)
Read Isaiah 9:6–7 aloud. Then also read:
John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…”
James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above…”
Colossians 2:16–17 – “Do not let anyone judge you… with regard to a religious festival… these are a shadow… the reality is found in Christ.”
Luke 10:38–42 – The story of Mary and Martha.
Questions:

• What picture of Jesus emerges when you hold Isaiah 9:6–7 next to John 1:14?
• What do these passages say about God’s heart in giving us Christ—and what we should focus on in response?
• How does the story of Mary and Martha challenge or encourage your posture during the Christmas season?

3. LOOK OUT (Considering the World)

• How do you see both “canceling” and “consuming” Christmas playing out in culture today? Can you think of modern examples of each?
• Where do you notice people trying to strip away the spiritual aspects of Christmas?
• Where do you see excess and indulgence taking center stage?
• Where do you see people get legalistic on Christmas things?
• How do these responses miss the core of what Christmas is meant to be?

4. LOOK IN (Personal Reflection)

• Which of these tendencies do you more naturally fall into: cynicism and withdrawal, or distraction and overindulgence? Why do you think that is?
• What might Jesus be inviting you to shift this year in how you approach Christmas?
• What practices or traditions actually help you see and savor Christ in this season?

5. LIVE IT OUT (Vision + Application)

• If your Christmas was fully centered on the person of Jesus, what might that practically look like?
• How could you reshape or redeem one tradition to point more clearly to Christ?
• What would your home, schedule, spending, or conversations look like if Jesus were truly the center?

Optional Exercises for the Week

• Read Isaiah 9:6–7 aloud each day this week. Choose one title (e.g., Prince of Peace) to meditate on each day and ask Jesus to meet you in that aspect.
• Audit your calendar and budget. Where are you feeling stretched or pulled away from Christ? What can be cut or repurposed to draw your heart back?
• Create a family or household moment of worship—read a passage together, sing a carol, pray over your gifts or meal, or light a candle in silence.

Prayer Prompt
Close by praying something like this together:
Jesus, You are the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This season, we don’t want to lose You in our traditions, nor reject joy in our pursuit of holiness. Teach us to celebrate You with reverence, wonder, and delight. Help us center our lives—and this Christmas—around who You are. Amen.

Suggested Resources for Further Study

• Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster (esp. chapters on Simplicity & Worship)
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
• Bible Reading Plan: Advent: He Has Come (YouVersion)