In Luke 1:5–17, we see that God is faithful in our waiting and that He calls us to help prepare others to meet Him.

Today, we reflect on what Scripture means when it calls Jesus ‘the son of David’ and the promised Messiah.

From John 1:12-14, we reflect on Jesus’ incarnation - God becoming a man 

From John 1:1–5 we learn that Christmas—Jesus’ birth—was not His beginning. Jesus is the eternal God, who existed before creation and through whom all things were made.

What is the nature of the ‘good works’ that God has for us, and what does it mean that they are ‘prepared in advance’ for us?

Do we appreciate that God chose to create each of us, and that we have been created for important reasons? 

Why is it vital that we learn to boast in the right things and that we must make this a lifestyle? 

What aspects of salvation are the gift of God and how does our understanding of this affect our joy and security? 

What does it mean to be saved by grace through faith, and how should we apply this in our lives to fight for the peace that God wants us to enjoy? 

From Ephesians 2:4-7, let’s reflect on God’s great purpose - the great ends - for which He has chosen us. 

From Ephesians 2:4-7, let’s reflect on how we are raised with, and seated with Christ by virtue of our union with Christ. 

From Ephesians 2:4-7, we see afresh that “It is by grace you have been saved.”

From Ephesians 2:4-7, we reflect on how God has made us alive with Christ.

From Ephesians 2:4-7, we see that God’s love and mercy are the only cause of our salvation.

Some songs for prayer gatherings.

Apart from Christ, we were ‘by nature deserving of wrath’ - knowing this is vital for our joy and for us to come to Jesus in the first place! 

What is meant by the ‘sinful nature’ or ‘flesh’ that so dominated us before becoming a Christian, and that also seeks to influence us after we come to Jesus?

Satanic powers are described as a ‘spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.’

Our spiritual condition before coming to Jesus was the result of being enslaved in Satan’s kingdom!

Those who fully rejoice in God’s grace, remember their condition without it!