Skipping Christmas

Main Point: The Christmas season has long ago become over-marketed and commercialized, leaving many Christians robbed of the true meaning of this fantastic season. The good news is, something can be done about it if we want to change things bad enough.

Discussion Starter: Skipping Christmas in Kentucky
Many people believe that the Christmas season has long ago become over-marketed and commercialized. The following article is a real life illustration of what one church did to make that point…and then do something about it.

Move over Scrooge, a church in Kentucky is skipping Christmas — sort of. Crossroads Christian Church in Lexington isn’t suggesting bailing out on the celebration altogether, just the bad parts such as the stress, getting into debt and huge crowds, The Lexington Herald-Leader reported. “We want to encourage people not to get so caught up in the trappings of the season that they miss the heart of what Christmas is about,” said Fred Turner, a pastor at the church. “We are not calling for people not to buy presents or put up trees, but we are trying to turn the focus on the things that matter.” Turner said the church got the idea from John Grisham’s newest book, “Skipping Christmas,” which has been made into the movie, Christmas with the Kranks, starring Tim Allen. Crossroads Christian began a series of weekly discussions on the “Skipping Christmas” campaign that focuses on helping the community find simplicity, joy, rest, belonging and Jesus, while skipping the loneliness, obligations and rush that come with the holiday. The last session will be on Christmas Eve. “We really think this is important because the heart of Christmas needs to be getting back to who Jesus is and why He cares,” Turner told the Lexington Herald-Leader. (http://www.charismanow.com)

Church’s ‘Skipping Christmas’ Campaign Focuses on God’s Gift, Charisma News Service, Dec. 14, 2004.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.

Discussion Questions:

1. AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we begin, let’s all take a second to share our names and our favorite memory of Christmas.


2. ASK A FEW: In your opinion, what is the best part of Christmas?


3. ASK A FEW: Of course, I gotta ask the opposite question: What’s the worst part about Christmas?


4. ASK A FEW: Crossroads Christian Church said they weren’t “bailing out on the celebration altogether, just the bad parts such as the stress, getting into debt, and huge crowds.” Do you think it’s possible to avoid stress, debt, and huge crowds during the Christmas season? Why or why not?


5. ASK A FEW: What impact do you think that all the “merchandizing, stress, commercialization, etc. has had on Christmas?


6. ASK A FEW: What if our church decided to “Skip Christmas?” What impact would that have on people or on you?


7. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What’s the one thing you wish you could change about Christmas?

Read the following passage:

NOTE:
Before you read this verse, say, “This verse is usually used when talking about basic Biblical doctrine. Since the birth of Christ is one of the historical facts on which Christians base their beliefs, let’s relate this verse to Christmas.”


Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.


8. ASK A FEW: What do you think Paul means by “hollow and deceptive philosophy” in this passage?


9. ASK A FEW: Do you think there are any negative “human traditions” that have developed in our culture during the Christmas season?


10. ASK A FEW: Do you think it’s even possible to resist being taken captive by these bad philosophies and traditions during Christmas? If so, how?


11. ASK A FEW: When I say, “Keep Christmas real,” what do you think about?


12. ASK A FEW: How do you think God wants you to celebrate Christmas?


13. AROUND THE CIRCLE: Are you willing to change anything about how you celebrate Christmas this year? If so, what?


14. AROUND THE CIRCLE: How do you think that will impact Christmas?

Christmas: In your heart it’s about presents, or the presence of God. You choose.

Close in Prayer