God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen-- Questions for Discussion and Reflection

 

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is an 18^th century Christmas Carol. Earlier old English versions of this hymn read “God make you mighty, gentlemen” or “God keep you mighty, gentlemen.” In Luke 2:9-11, the “Angel of the Lord” appears to shepherds announcing the birth of the “Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” These shepherds find Jesus and relay the announcement of the Angel and heavenly host to Joseph and Mary. The testimony of these shepherds is encouragement to Joseph and Mary to remain mighty in the Lord.”

 

The events in Matthew 2:1-15 took place a year or two after Jesus’ birth. How might the things that Mary “treasured in her heart” encouraged she and Joseph to remain mighty in the Lord through these trials?

Read Joshua 1:1-9 and Ephesians 6:10-20. What characteristics do you observe of those who are “strong and courageous” or “strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might”?

How is the Holy Spirit leading you to remain mighty in the Lord?

 

O Little town of Bethlehem-- Questions for Reflection and Discussion

 

O little town of Bethlehem was written by Phillips Brooks in 1868 to highlight how Jesus’ birth fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 5:2, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among  the clans ofJudah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity.” The significance of Bethlehem is that from a worldly perspective, it was an insignificant town. 1 Corinthians 1:27 declares, “God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” For the Christ-follower, God’s choice of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus is a reminder that “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10b, ESV).

King Solomon and Apostles James and Peter affirm, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5 and James 4:6) How is this truth observed in the following Scriptures?

Genesis 14:1-18; Genesis 37:1-11--

1 Samuel 16:1-13--

Daniel 1:8-21--

Zechariah 4:6--

 
Mark 6:30-43; Mark 12:41-43--

2 Corinthians 12:1-10--

            
What weakness(es) in your life is the Holy Spirit leading you to surrender to Him to use in a mighty way?

O Come, O Come Emmanuel-- Questions for Reflection and Discussion

 

O Come, O Come Emmanuel-- This ancient advent hymn originated as a 7 verse poem dating back to the 8th century. Christians of that era would recite a different verse the hymn each week as a call and response building up to Christmas. Each verse includes a different Old Testament name for the coming Messiah. When we sing this hymn, we are acknowledging Christ as the fulfillment of these Old Testament prophesies. We sing this hymn in an already-but not yet- kingdom of God. Christ's first coming gives us a reason to rejoice again and again, yet we know that all is not well with the world. So along with our rejoicing, we plead using the words of this hymn that Christ would come again to perfectly fulfill the promise that all darkness will be turned to light. The original text created a reverse acrostic: “ero cras,” which means, “I shall be with you tomorrow.” That is the promise we hold to as we sing this beautiful hymn. Read more about the history of this Christmas carol here.

The English word, “Immanuel” is derived from Hebrew and "Emmanuel" from Greek. (See Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23 respectively.) Both spellings mean "God with us". Compare Jesus’ title Emmanuel with Peter’s declaration in Matthew 16:16. What does this reveal about Peter’s faith in Christ?

Read Matthew 16:13-19. Jesus refers to Peter’s declaration of faith, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” as “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 16:19). How does this fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 22:22?

How did Peter use these “keys” in Acts 2:40 (in context 2:14-40) and Acts 10:34 (in context 10:34-43? What was the result? Acts 2:41 and 10:48?

What encouragement does Revelation 3:7-8 offer the Christian who desires to be used by God?