We all want a feeling of Home for Christmas. Traditions involve all of our senses, and those senses are tied to our memories. It’s the most wonderful time of the year because we are able to recreate and remember all the people and moments that make the Christmas season. This year will be no different... it just may look a bit different.

Discussion Questions
Scripture focus: Matthew 2:1-12

We all want a feeling of "Home for Christmas." Traditions involve all of our senses, and those senses are tied to our memories. It’s the most wonderful time of the year because we are able to recreate and re-member all the people and moments that make the Christmas season. This year will be no different it just may look different.

Last week you shared one of your family’s favorite “Christmas Traditions.” Share a new tradition that you and your family have started in the most recent years or hope to start this year.

Share an example of some of the details involved when it comes to traveling to see your family for Christmas or preparing to host your family for Christmas.

If traveling to see your family for Christmas share about what that trip looks like and what’s involved.

In the Christmas story we find the account of three wise men who decided to take a journey to see if what they had heard was true. The birth of Jesus did not go unnoticed, for both the shepherd and the wise men traveled to worship him. The Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah to appear. However, after he was born, the Jews did not recognize him because they were looking for a different king.

Read together Matthew 2:1-12

Scripture Support:
v. 1,2 the Magi traveled thousands of miles to see the king of the Jews. When they found him, they responded with joy, worship, and gifts. This was a totally different approach. Today many people expect God to come looking for them, to explain himself, prove who he is, and give them gifts.

v. 2 what about this “star?” Couldn’t God who created the heavens, have created a special star to signal the arrival of his Son?

v. 3 the text tells us that not only was Herod disturbed, but so were most people in Jerusalem. His birth caused quite the reaction. His presence startled many people and disturbed them, for others his birth created spiritual awakenings.

v. 4-6 the chief priests and teachers of the law were aware of prophecies (Micah 5:2) about the Messiah. Matthew continually highlighted their knowledge and unbelief. The Magi’s (wise men) news troubled Herod because he knew that the Jewish people expected the Messiah to come soon. However, this is not what they expected.

v. 8 Herod didn’t really want to worship Jesus; his effort was to manipulate and use the Magi to go out and return with the location of the newborn king. His plan was to kill Jesus.

As a result of their traveling thousands of miles, seeking, and finding Jesus; the wisemen’s lives were changed……forever! They were able to take a different way home, experience a new way of life and living.

When we experience God, He provides us with something far greater than we could ever imagine.

Are you stuck in a rut, not satisfied with where you are at emotionally, mentally, relationally, or spiritually? Review a few of the practical things that Pastor Mark shared in the message today.
1. If you’re comfortable, share what are you dealing with, what is your presenting issue?
2. Is something holding you back from taking a journey to find God? Guilt, shame, failure, fear, hurt, habit, or a hang-up. Name it.

v. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country (home) by another route.

Finding Jesus may mean that your life must take a different direction, one that is responsive and obedient to God’s Word.

Group Members: In what ways is Jesus affecting the direction of your life?