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These were your favorite studies on this topic.<\/p>\n
Joshua Wood<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Be prepared this Christmas season by focusing on what matters most, The birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We\u2019ve created numerous courses to prepare you for this holiday season. These are the top five that you have downloaded.<\/p>\n
5. Luke: Bring Jesus to Your World<\/a><\/p>\n What’s it mean to be Jesus’ disciple? Those who followed Jesus had to give up their own lives and adopt his. This meant rejection by some, but it also meant the joy of bringing the earth-shattering news of his eternal kingdom to those who had not heard about it. This four-session course helps us realize that we have the same honor.<\/p>\n 4. Advent: Clash of Two Kingdoms<\/a><\/p>\n This four-part study looks at the ways that Jesus turned things upside down when he came to Earth. As the introduction to the study says, “[Advent is] more than a nice tale about a baby being born in difficult circumstances. It is the strategy of God and the tactics of the Son. It’s about life, death, blood, confrontation, darkness, light, and war. It’s the clash of two kingdoms.”<\/p>\n 3. The Songs of Advent<\/a><\/p>\n As familiar as we are with the songs of Christmas, there are four songs recorded in the Bible to celebrate the birth of Jesus that most of us aren’t familiar with. The angels sang a song to the shepherds. Mary sang a song to God after she had time to get over the shocking news that she was going to be the mother of the Savior. Simeon also had a song. Then there’s Zechariah’s song. Zechariah was an elderly priest who sang after being visited by an angel. This wasn’t like a Broadway musical\u2014these people didn’t suddenly burst into song. But the ancient church captured their words and created songs known as canticles.<\/p>\n 2. The People of the Nativity<\/a><\/p>\n This five-session course will look at those in the genealogy of Jesus, as well as the more familiar characters of Joseph, Mary, the shepherds, and the angels. Through these people we will learn about the human condition and God’s character. We’ll also learn how doubts can turn to faith, the importance of humility and obedience, and how to gain an eternal perspective.<\/p>\n 1. A Look at Advent Through the Old Testament<\/a><\/p>\n The Christmas story began in the Old Testament. God’s nature didn’t change, nor did ours, and he had our redemption in mind all the time. The prophets Jeremiah, Malachi, Zephaniah, and Micah all proclaim the Christ that was to come. Use this Bible study course to lead up to Christmas\u2014or use it Christmas week to make the holiday more meaningful.<\/p>\n For more holiday resources, visit the Christmas & Advent section<\/a> of this site.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n