WHERE ARE YOU CHRISTMAS?
My Life is Not a Hallmark Movie – Part 1
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
December 3, 2023
#realspringcreekchurch #mylifeisnotahallmarkmovie #hallmarkmovie #hallmark #expectations #whereareyouchristmas #christmas #reality
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Everything within our culture, from Christmas movies to television specials to depictions in cards, magazines, and commercials paints Christmas as a magical and idyllic time of the year. Seldom does our reality measure up to all the hype. Often, we feel disappointed and wonder, “Where are you Christmas? Where’s my Hallmark moment? When will my family ever look like that Norman Rockwell portrait?” This Christmas doesn’t have to look like the dashed expectations of Christmas past. There’s a better way to experience what this season is all about. Let us show you how.
SERIES: My Life is Not a Hallmark Movie
Hallmark movies have become practically synonymous with sappy storylines, cliché answers to complex problems, and “happily ever after” endings. Our lives are anything but that. But during the holidays, especially at Christmas, we get drawn into the nostalgia and sentimentality of the season and as a result, set unrealistic expectations for what this time of the year will be. In this series, we’ll rediscover how the true meaning of Christmas speaks into our less-than-perfect world and relationships. Christmas is the birth of hope in an imperfect world.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever had your expectations dashed at Christmas? What were you expecting? What actually happened? What did you do with your hurt, disappointment, or anger? Looking back on it now, is there anything you wish you had done differently?
2. Describe the biggest influences in your life when it comes to the Christmas season. What was central to your Christmas celebrations as a child? What is now central to your celebrations? How much and in what ways have nostalgia, movies, music, commercials, the church, and social media affected your feelings, mood, and thoughts around Christmas?
3. What’s the difference between a healthy versus an unhealthy expectation? Or realistic versus unrealistic expectations? Have you ever or do you presently struggle with this? Based on today’s message, what might you try to do differently in the future?
4. Go back to the message notes and find the full text of the serenity prayer. As a group, go through the prayer line by line and think of ways this might apply to your life today. How does it shift your thinking? Where are you most needing to learn and grow?
5. Hope is the one expectation most encouraged in Scripture – that we have every right to expect God to keep His promises. As you reflect on this and the reality that we are not promised a pain-free, hassle-free, problem-free existence but are promised that God will never abandon us, always work in our best interests (for our good and growth), and redeem what is meant to harm us. How have you seen God do this in your life? Where are you struggling to see His hand at work? What promises can you claim and apply to your life right now?