7 Short Bible Studies to Prepare Your Heart for Christmas
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Luke 2:4-7 “Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
King David grew up in Bethlehem. Why is it important that Jesus was from the line of David?
Bethlehem means, “House of Bread.” In thinking about how Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:35), why was it significant that He was born in Bethlehem?
Isaiah 11:1-2 “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—”
How did Jesus bear fruit as the Branch when He was on the earth?
We are called branches in John 15. Jesus came in the form of mankind and was the Branch of the line of Jesse. Jesus later describes Himself as the True Vine. Through Him, we can live by the Holy Spirit – the same Spirit that He lived by when He walked on the Earth. How does this empower you and encourage you today?
How can you bear fruit like Jesus?
Matthew 2:1-2 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’”
It is amazing that the Magi followed the star of Jesus to go and worship Him. Even though Jesus was born in a manger, He was the King of the World. A king has authority, power, and care for His kingdom. How is Jesus (or how can Jesus be) King over your life today?
When Jesus died on the cross, the same phrase, “King of the Jews” was posted over His head on the cross (John 19:19, Matthew 27:37). The Jewish people missed their King who was right in front of them. However, He loves them greatly and still extends His gift of salvation for all to this day, including Gentiles (those who are not Jewish). What must it have taken for Jesus to love people who hated Him? How can we love others in this way?
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