Friday, December 14, 2007

Home Group Follow-Up - Christmas

Most of us are probably presented with this story of Christmas every year, but that doesn't make it any less real or powerful.

I have come to enjoy the time spent with family during Christmas, the excitement in the air, the community of humans putting down their guard a bit for a season, the coolness in the air (normally), the giving spirit.

Most of us love this time of year, and most of us realize the true meaning behind Christmas. Do we stop and celebrate that? Do we still wonder? Do we still marvel at the vulnerability of Christ as a child? Do we still see the miracle? Do we still relate the birth of Christ to our own lives?

The short video Ashley played for us had a part that made me really think. It spoke of the many different names that God has, and it's true: The Prince of Peace, I am, Emmanuel, Father (there are many more). I think he has more names than Puff Daddy, or Diddy, or P. Diddy, or whatever. It amazed me to think about how God could be all these things. That all these names are not just another way to call him something, that they are there for a reason.

So, three things:

1. What are other "names" given to God/Christ ?
2. Which name is most comforting/relevant to your life right now ?
3. And maybe this is a rhetorical question, which do you need to experience right now?