Experiencing Joy at Christmas

• What do you love about the Christmas season?
• Are there difficult elements to the season?
• In the message Pastor Ken talked about the Delgado family in Chicago who were joyful and hopeful despite their meager surroundings. Have you know individuals or families like that?
• What was the life a shepherd like? To whom would you compare them today?
• What part of their encounter with the angelic messengers stood out for you? Have you had an overwhelming experience with God – what was it like?
• Why do you think God chose to give this announcement to people like those shepherds?
• Put yourself in the sandals of those shepherds. When the angels left, what were they thinking? Why did they head to Bethlehem instead of shrugging it all off?
• What might have been going on in their heads and hearts when they actually found the baby? (verse 16)
• Look at verses 17-18. What does it say they did? What kind of response do you think they may have gotten? Why?
• How is our culture good at peddling happiness instead of joy? What’s the difference between the two?
• What gives you real joy in life?
• Where have you found joy in the Christmas season?