Our text during the month of December will be Luke 1 & 2. The chapters detail the story of God’s plan to rescue mankind from our selfish and sinful lifestyles.
Each week we will look at a passage from these chapters and learn some truths and lessons about God that should be applied to our lives.

Most Bible commentators point to a Christmas Play List here in these two chapters. The list contains what they refer to as four songs:
-Mary’s Song
-Zechariah’s Song
-The Angel’s Song
-Simeon’s Song.

How many of you have a Christmas Play List? A go-to, top 10, list of music that moves you, makes you a better-intentioned person, and motivates you to want to be joyful.
What is on your list or what would be on your list if you created one?

Most lists contain songs like Jingle Bells, All I Want For Christmas Is You; songs about reindeer and other mythical characters, snow, presents, etc.
But is Christmas more than that?
The Bible teaches that there is another meaning for the holiday that bares the title of Christ or God's Messiah. It is about the birth of God's Son, the Lord and Savior of the world.

A Biblical playlist should have songs that tell us about God.
-What He is like
-Why mankind needs a CHRISTMAS and how we can have a relationship with God
-When God got involved with humanity and why His Son Jesus came to be born in Nazareth
-And a Scriptural playlist would explain how and why God intervened in the affairs of man nearly 2,000 years ago

The author of this book, Luke, didn't give us these songs as a poetic script to make us emotional and fill us with sentiment for the holiday but instead he is reporting facts.
Luke 1:1-4
When confronted with these facts, we either accept them or deny them in some form or another.

This is a play list that helps us to prepare for Christmas properly, and to celebrate Christmas spiritually.

The first song on the play list is Mary's Song and is found in Luke 1:46-55.
In the prior verses we see that Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth and the two of them compared notes about their impending births. It is after this background that we come to verses 46-55 where Mary lifts her voice and praises God.
In church history this passage is called a canticle which is simply "a writing praising God that can be sung or chanted."

When you spend some time looking at this passage, a couple of truths emerge that help us to have a better understanding of what God is like:

First - God is PERSONAL and can be known.
Luke 1:46-50

As 2020 comes to an end and we look forward to the potential of a New Year in 2021, you need to ask yourself if you have a personal relationship with God. Is He your Lord and Savior?

Second - God is POWERFUL and can be our strength.
Luke 1:51-53

Man trusts in his wisdom, his ways, his wealth, but God wants us to trust in His Word.

Third - God is a PROMISE-KEEPER that can be trusted.
Luke 1:54-55

Mary closes her thoughts by telling us the Lord can be counted on to do what He has purposed and promised.

This week look at your Christmas Play List. Are there any spiritual songs in your list of favorites?
Mary sang that God, the creator and almighty ruler of the universe is:
-Personal: Do you know Him?
-Powerful: Do you depend upon Him?
-Promise-Keeper: Do you trust Him with your faith, family, and future?

Application and Discussion Questions:

1. Do you have a Christmas Playlist? What secular songs are on it? What “religious” songs are on it? Talk with someone about your and their play list and why you like those songs.

2. Read Luke 1:46-55. What is God saying here (what facts do you notice and truths do you see)? What does this passage say to you (in terms of an area or attitude of life that needs to change)? What will you say about this passage to a family member or friend (something that will make them think about God and the meaning of Christmas)?

3. Read the lyrics of the great song: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. What can you learn about God from this song?

4. Of the three major points from the Sunday message, which spoke to you the most? Why?

5. Tell someone this week what God means to you and pray the Lord will draw that person to Him.

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Sunday, December 6 - Oakley Berry, Oliver Berry
Friday, December 11 - Lauren Sensiba, Lydia Schilz, Charity Odette
Saturday, December 12 - Jared Justice