Weekly Teaching Reflection

December 14th Reflection

Sermon Notes and Discussion Questions

The Coming of the King

The Birth of the King

Luke 2:1-3

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

Luke 2:4

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 

Luke 2:5

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 

Kiddushin: a legal, covenantal bond

Nisuin: the wedding ceremony

Luke 2:5

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him AND was expecting a child. 

“there was no room in the inn.”

Love begins where convenience ends.

God chooses to be born in the ordinary center of ordinary life among ordinary people.

Luke 2:6

6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 

Luke 2:7

7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Discussion Questions

1. How does understanding the historical and cultural setting of Luke 2 challenge the traditional Nativity scene many of us grew up with?

2. What changes when we realize Jesus was likely born in the family roomof a crowded home rather than an isolated stable?
   How does this deepen the meaning of God entering the “ordinary”?

3. The text shows a family practicing costly hospitality by welcoming Mary and Joseph despite scandal. When have you experienced, or offered, hospitality that cost something?

4. Where do you sense “there is no room” in your own heart or life right now; areas that feel too crowded, too messy, or too painful for God to enter?

5. Who might be the “Mary or Joseph” in your world today?
   Someone who is inconvenient, misunderstood, or easy to overlook but whom Christ might be inviting you to make room for?

6. Athanasius said, “God became like us so that we might become like Him.”
   What does it look like in ordinary daily life to participate with the Holy Spirit in becoming more like Christ?

7. The Bethlehem family chose hospitality over reputation.
   In what ways might fear of others’ opinions keep us from saying yes to love or compassion?

8. This story shows God slipping quietly into human history: into noise, mess, relational tension, and ordinary life.
   Where do you see God showing up quietly in your own routines, responsibilities, or daily rhythms?

Practice This Week: “Make Room”

Take one intentional step of costly hospitality or compassion this week.
Choose someone who feels inconvenient, overlooked, or easy to avoid and make room for them.

This could look like:

• inviting someone into your home or your schedule,

• slowing down to listen deeply,

• offering practical help to someone under strain,

• sending encouragement to someone who feels unseen,

• or reconciling with someone you’ve avoided.

As you do, pray:
“Holy Spirit, make room in me. Let Christ be welcomed in the ordinary places of my life.”