The Hopes and Fears of All the Years: Christmas 2020
Merry Christmas and Welcome to St. Paul's Bloor Street! Our vision is a church made alive, a city made new, and a people made whole. Today we're continuing with our sermon series "Hope For Every Longing Heart" and looking at Luke 2: 1-21.
Luke 2:1-21 NIVUK
Questions to Ponder:
1. One of the most beloved Christmas carols, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” was written in 1868 by the Anglican Cleric, Philips Brooks. The line that really captures our experience of Christmas 2020 is: “The hopes and fears of all the years….” In this year of disruption, what are your hopes? What are your fears?
2. We believe that the Incarnation, God in the flesh, is good news. The birth of Jesus is about God coming to us in our everyday lives and saying to us, "Do not be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news." What is the good news for you this Christmas?
3. We heard three results of the angel encounter with the shepherds that first Christmas.
a) God moves to release your fear. How does Jesus do that?
b) God moves to rescue your faith. What element of your faith needs to be rescued?
c) God moves so that you can rebuild relationships. In your life, what relationships need rebuilding?
Closing Prayer:
Loving God, open our ears to hear your word and draw us closer to you, that the whole world may be one with you as you are one with us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.