St. Norbert Parish
Advent Small Groups “The Promise of Christmas”
A promise fills us with anticipation. It offers hope for the future and gives us something to look forward to. For a promise to inspire hope, we need clarity on what is being offered and trust in its fulfillment.
The Christmas season is rich with promises. But what is the true promise of Christmas? What should we anticipate during this season and beyond? Without a clear understanding of what Christmas genuinely promises, we risk missing out on its true meaning and the expectations we can have of God throughout the year.
In this four-week message series, we will look at the Promise of Christmas and the expectations we can have for it.
WEEK ONE – 12/1/2024 – Promise of a Ruler Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16
This week we will introduce the concept of the series. Christmas is a time of promise and high expectations for gifts and family time and fond memories for the future. Not every Christmas fulfills those expectations. Beyond the promises our world offers for Christmas, God offers us a promise as well. He offers the promise of a ruler who will bring stability and strength to the land.
God promises to send his Son into our lives to bring stability to our hearts when we enthrone Jesus in our hearts, we can weather any storm that comes our way.
1. What do we want you to know? Christmas is about God’s promise of Jesus, a ruler who brings stability and peace to our hearts, not just worldly expectations.
2. What do we want you to feel? We want you to feel hope, peace, and reassurance, knowing that Jesus provides strength through life’s challenges.
3. What do we want them to do? Entrust your hearts to Jesus, deepen your faith, and focus on the true spiritual meaning of Christmas.
WEEK TWO – 12/8/2024 – The Promise of Coming Home Scripture: Baruch 5:1-9
This week, you will hear about God’s promise to bring His people back from exile to Jerusalem, where they will experience His glory, reconciliation, mercy, and justice. The promise of Christmas is that we too can return home to God, finding reconciliation with our heavenly Father. When we receive His mercy, we can also reconcile with one another.
1. What do we want you to know? Christmas promises a return to God, offering reconciliation and mercy, both with God and with each other.
2. What do we want you to do? Come back to God, seek His mercy, and work toward reconciling with others.
3. What do we want you to feel? A sense of peace, belonging, and hope in the possibility of reconciliation and healing.
WEEK THREE – 12/15/2024 – The Promise of Joy Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-18a
The promise of Christmas is the joy we can experience when we recognize God’s presence in our lives. The Lord, our mighty savior, is among us. This week’s message focuses on the joy that comes from acknowledging God’s nearness and the strength He provides. We may also explore how singing is a powerful way to experience and express this joy.
1. What do we want you to know? Joy comes from recognizing God’s presence in our midst, especially through worship and song.
2. What do we want you to do? Embrace and express joy by actively recognizing God’s presence, particularly through singing and worship.
3. What do we want you to feel? Uplifted, joyful, and strengthened by the knowledge that God is near and mighty to save.
WEEK FOUR – 12/22/2024 – The Promise of Peace Scripture: Micah 5:1-4a
Centuries before Jesus was born, the prophet Micah predicted His birth in Bethlehem. This message explores the significance of Bethlehem and why peace into our lives, showing how God’s promises are reliable and transformative.
1. What do we want you to know? Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem was foretold by Micah, and its fulfillment brings the peace of God’s promises into our lives.
2. What do we want you to do? Trust in God’s promises and seek peace in your own lives by reflecting on the significance of Christ’s birth.
3. What do we want you to feel? A sense of peace, assurance, and calm from knowing that God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus.