CHAPTER 1

Session 1

THE GIFT OF HOPE

Overview

Main Topics

Introduction — What are the Christmas gifts that won't break?

Chapter 1 — How does the name of Jesus bring us hope?

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• recognize that material gifts and objects will disappoint us,

• consider the meaning behind the names that identify Jesus, and

• discover ways that the name of Jesus brings us hope.

Key Scripture Passages

"Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don't eat them and where thieves don't break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

(Matthew 6:19-21)

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn't want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly. As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

(Matthew 1:18-21)

Prepare

• Write the focus question for the study, "What are the Christmas gifts that won't break?" on a large sheet of paper or posterboard and display it in the room. Since this will be displayed in the room for each session, you may want to use embellished lettering or decorate the sign to resemble a Christmas gift with ribbons, bows, or shapes cut from wrapping paper.

• Set up a table near the entrance to the room with name tags and markers. Also set out Bibles and copies of the book Christmas Gifts That Won't Break for participants who may not bring their own.

• Write the heading "Names for Jesus" on a markerboard, chalkboard, or large sheet of paper. This will be used for an activity during the lesson.

• Have a markerboard and markers, a chalkboard and chalk, or large sheets of paper and markers available to record group responses to the various questions.

• Read the instructions for the "Hymns and Songs" activity described in the section of the lesson plan titled "Engage." Collect enough copies of your congregation's hymnal or worship music book for each participant to have one for this activity. You may also want to recruit an accompanist or song leader (see Option 1) or arrange to play recordings of selected hymns and songs about Jesus' name (see Option 2).

Welcome

• Greet participants as they arrive and invite them to make a name tag.

• Welcome participants to this study of Christmas Gifts That Won't Break.

• Introduce yourself and share your enthusiasm for teaching this course. Then, briefly, in two or three sentences, tell about one of your favorite Christmas gifts you have received. It may be a gift from childhood or a more recent gift.

• Invite participants to introduce themselves and briefly (in two or three sentences) tell about a favorite Christmas gift they received.

• Share any "housekeeping" items that may be necessary for your group. See suggestions in "To the Leader" at the beginning of this Leader Guide.

• Invite participants to covenant together to observe a policy of confidentiality within the group.

Opening Prayer

Loving God of Hope, we thank you for this Advent season and the coming season of Christmas. We thank you for the gift of the Christ Child who brings hope to the world and to us. Be present with us throughout this study as we explore the subject of Christmas Gifts That Won't Break. Open our hearts to receive these gifts. Show us how to share these gifts with others. We pray in the name of your Son Jesus, your gift of hope. Amen.

Open the Session

Call attention to the section of chapter 1 titled "Names are Important" (Christmas Gifts That Won't Break, pages 15–17). Share information about your name using the questions below as a guide. Then invite participants to respond to these questions:

• How did you receive your name?

• Why were you given this name?

• What does your name mean?

• How do you feel about your name?

• Does your name influence the way you think or feel about yourself? Why or why not?

• Why are names important?

View the Video

Play the video for Session 1 of Christmas Gifts That Won't Break, titled "The Gift of Hope." After the video, invite discussion using one or more of the following questions:

• What hope do you gain from the idea that Jesus has broken down the wall that separates us from God? What does it mean that the temple veil has been torn, that nothing now holds us back from God?

• In the video, Jacob mentions that his friends Chad and Tanna are both amazing and normal, and that Mary and Joseph were both amazing and normal. How can someone be both amazing and normal at the same time? What was normal about Mary and Joseph? What was amazing about them?

• Do you think of yourself as more amazing, or more normal? Why?

• How are we included in the Christmas story? How are you and I part of the gift of hope?

• Where do you need hope? Where do you find hope this Advent?

Remind the group that as you continue your study and exploration of the Gift of Hope, everyone should keep in mind both the video and the book Christmas Gifts That Won't Break.

Engage

Names for Jesus

Ask: What feelings do you think Joseph experienced as he encountered the angel and his message?

Call attention to the markerboard, chalkboard, or large sheet of paper with the heading "Names for Jesus." Write the name "Savior" under the heading. Explain that the name "Jesus" means "Savior."

Ask: What are other names we call Jesus? (Add each response to the list.)

Ask: What is the meaning or significance of these various names?

Add the names below to the list if they are not mentioned by participants.

• Emmanuel — "God with us" (Matthew 1:23 and Isaiah 7:14)

• Christ — anointed one (Greek)

• Messiah – anointed one (Hebrew and Aramaic)

• Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)

• Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)

• Eternal Father (Isaiah 9:6)

• Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

• Lord

• Redeemer

• Hope of the World

Ask: Which of these names are most meaningful to you? Why?

Hymns and Songs

Note that in chapter 1 of Christmas Gifts That Won't Break, James Moore mentions the gospel hymn "There's Something About That Name" by Gloria and William J. Gaither. (This is hymn 171 in The United Methodist Hymnal.) Distribute copies of the hymnals or worship music books you collected for this activity. (See "Prepare" at the beginning of this lesson plan.) Invite participants to use these as a resource as they respond to these questions.

Ask: What other hymns or praise songs mention the name of Jesus? (List these on a markerboard, chalkboard, or large sheet of paper.)

Ask: What do these hymns and songs say about the name of Jesus?

Ask: Why do you think there are so many songs and hymns about Jesus' name?

Optional additions to this activity:

1. Recruit an accompanist or song leader so the group may sing several of the hymns and songs together.

2. Find recordings of hymns and songs about Jesus' name and arrange to play these for the group.

Here is a list of hymns and songs you may want to consider for this activity. Those with numbers beside them indicate the page number for The United Methodist Hymnal.

• "At the Name of Jesus," 168

• "O How I Love Jesus," 170

• "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (verse 3)," 57

• "Emmanuel, Emmanuel," 204

• "No Other Name"— Hillsong Worship

The First Advent Candle

Remind participants that the first candle we light on the Advent wreath represents hope. Call attention to the section titled "The Naming of the Christ Child" in chapter 1.

Ask: What dividing walls did Jesus break down in his day?

Ask: What dividing walls need to be broken and torn down today?

Ask: How are we able to join Jesus Christ in the work of breaking down walls that divide us from one another and from God?

Ask: How does Jesus bring hope to our world?

Ask: How does Jesus bring hope to our local community?

Ask: How does Jesus bring hope to you personally?

Close the Session

Closing Activity

Read, or invite a volunteer to read, Matthew 6:19-21. Then share this quote from the introduction to the book (Christmas Gifts That Won't Break, page 9):

"Any one of us whose life and happiness depends on material things will surely be disappointed, because material things do not last. They go out of style. They wear out. They break."

Remind participants of the statement made by Bishop Shamblin's young son: "Daddy, my Christmas is broken already!"

Ask: What Christmas Gifts That Won't Break are you hoping to receive this Christmas?

Ask: What "non-breakable" gifts would you like to give to others this Christmas?

Focus for the Week

Read the "Focus for the Week" at the end of chapter 1 in Christmas Gifts That Won't Break, page 23.

Ask: How can you be an instrument of hope to others this week?

Ask: What opportunities do you already see to be a messenger of good news and hope to others?

Prayer

God of hope, as we journey through this holy season of Advent, may we open our hearts to receive your amazing gift of hope — hope that will not break, hope that will not disappoint us. Open our eyes that we may see others who need to receive your gift of hope and be with us as we share the hope of Jesus Christ with others. Amen.

CHAPTER 2

Session 2

THE GIFT OF LOVE

Overview

Main Topic

What is Christmas and when does it come?

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• consider how love is at the heart of Christmas;

• reflect on how we experience Christmas when we love God, love our families, and love other people; and

• explore ways we can put love into action.

Key Scripture Passage

When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go right now to Bethlehem and see what's happened. Let's confirm what the Lord has revealed to us." They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.

(Luke 2:15-20)

Prepare

• Display the large piece of paper or posterboard with the focus question for the study, "What are the Christmas gifts that won't break?" in a prominent place in the room.

• Set up a table near the entrance to the room with name tags and markers, extra copies of Christmas Gifts That Won't Break, and Bibles if these will be needed.

• Write the heading, "_______________ of God" on a markerboard, chalkboard, or large sheet of paper. Under the heading write in a vertical list these words: man, woman, person, child, disciple. This will be used for an activity described under "There Is Christmas When ..."

• Have a markerboard and markers, a chalkboard and chalk, or large sheets of paper and markers available to record group responses to the various questions.

• If your congregation's hymnal or worship music book contains the song "Love Came Down at Christmas," collect enough copies for each participant to have one for the "Hymns and Songs" activity. If not, be prepared to read the words of this hymn to your group. You may want to recruit an accompanist or song leader.

Welcome

• Greet participants as they arrive.

• If there are newcomers, offer a short time for introductions.

• Share any necessary "housekeeping" items. See suggestions in the introduction to this Leader Guide.

• Remind participants to observe a policy of confidentiality within the group.

Opening Prayer

God of Hope, God of Love, we thank you for your gift of the Christ Child. We thank you for your love made known to us in the birth of our Savior. Open our hearts to receive your love. Open our eyes to ways we may share your love with others. Thank you for each one in this group. Bless our time together as we journey through Advent to Christmas. In the name of the holy child born at Christmas we pray. Amen.

Open the Session

Invite participants to think about a time when they experienced the gift of love and to respond to these questions with that gift in mind.

Ask: How did receiving this gift make you feel?

Ask: How did you respond?

View the Video

Play the video for session 2 of Christmas Gifts That Won't Break, titled "The Gift of Love." After the video, invite discussion using one or more of the following questions:

• In the video, Jacob spoke about the Apostle Paul and Mother Teresa. How are the ministries of Paul and Mother Teresa connected? How do you see love at the heart of both?

• Why do you think Mother Teresa chose to talk about love in her Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech? What does this say about her view of love?

• Do you agree that love begins at home? Why or why not? How can a more loving world begin with you?

• How is God calling you to share the gift of love this Christmas? How can it start with those closest to you?

Remind the group that as you continue your study and exploration of the Gift of Love, everyone should keep in mind both the video and the book Christmas Gifts That Won't Break.

Engage

When We Love God, There Is Christmas

Note Moore's three section titles that proclaim that Christmas happens "When We Love God," "When We Love Our Families," and "When We Love Other People."

Read this quote from the book to the group: "The essence of Christmas is love, God's incredible love for us, expressed when he sent his only Son into the world to save us" (Christmas Gifts That Won't Break, page 39).

Invite a fellow group member to read John 3:16: "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won't perish but will have eternal life."

Ask: When did you first accept the truth of God's love for you?

Ask: How do you continue to grow in your understanding and acceptance of God's love?

Ask: What connections do you see between John 3:16 and the Christmas season?

Recall the story James Moore told about "the man of God" under the title "When We Love God, There Is Christmas" (Christmas Gifts That Won't Break, pages 39–41). You may want to invite a volunteer to summarize this story for the group. Then note that Moore suggests several words that describe our relationship with God (man of God, woman of God, person of God, child of God, disciple of God). Call attention to these words written on the board or paper with the heading "__________ of God."

Ask: What other words describe our relationship with God? (Add these to the list. Ideas are: son, daughter, servant, follower.)

Ask: Based on this list of relationships, what characterizes the life of a person of God?

Ask: How is reciprocal love (God's love for us, our love for God) at the heart of these relationships?

Ask: What are some ways we can show our love for God at Christmas? At other times throughout the year?

When We Love Our Families, There Is Christmas

Offer a brief summary of this section from the book (Christmas Gifts That Won't Break, pages 41–42).

[* Note to the Session Leader: Keep in mind that participants in your group may have difficult relationships within their families, and feelings about these difficulties can escalate during the holiday seasons. This course is not the proper setting for counseling, and you want to avoid the session becoming a time for "venting." As part of the discussion you may offer a general invitation to the group for individuals who have concerns about family relationships to speak with you or a minister privately.]

Lead the group in conversation about Discussion Question #3 from chapter 2 (Christmas Gifts That Won't Break, page 45). This is a two-part activity.

Invite participants to list some of the many ways that love of family can be shown. As members respond, write the list on a markerboard, chalkboard, or large sheet of paper. (Responses may include listening, forgiving, understanding, showing patience, being sensitive to the needs and concerns of others, offering to help with specific tasks, and praying for one another.)