In this series we are talking about how most of us experience a version of Christmas that is far more complex than it was designed to be. The question we are asking is, “Does the way you celebrate Christmas produce God’s desired way for you to experience it?”

What are you entitled to? An entitlement is something you think you have a right to

• This week we’re looking at the main characters in the Christmas story – in what ways they might have felt entitled and how they responded when they didn’t get those things.

We see Mary’s story in Luke 1:26-38

• Mary was an unexpected candidate for the woman who would bear God’s Son
  • Almost assuredly a teenager, a seemingly normal family
  • Surely Mary felt inadequate and perhaps you do too.
  • What stops you from believing God wants to do something amazing in and through you?
• What Mary was saying, “yes” to when she confirmed her willingness to follow God’s plan
  • Likelihood of Joseph divorcing her, her family might disown her and she could have even been stoned to death according to Jewish law.
• The thing that set Mary apart was her humility.
  • Humility is the opposite of, and even the antidote for, entitlement. At the core of entitlement is self-centeredness. Humility is others-centered.
• Think of what Mary could have believed she was entitled to
  • Being believed when she said she was a virgin, being thought well of, “A normal life”

Joseph’s story is in Matthew 1:18-25

• Joseph didn’t want to bring harm to Mary. He also had great humility.
• What he was saying yes to:
  • People believing he was the one who had impregnated her out of wedlock. People believing his wife was “damaged goods.” Raising a son that was not his own.
• What he may have thought he was entitled to
  • Being intimate with his wife immediately. Since he was a righteous man, being thought well of. Not being thought of as a liar.

We oftentimes feel most entitled when we do what we are supposed to do, especially if we know it’s what God wants. We think, “I’m being obedient. Things should happen the way I think is right.”

• Joseph and Mary did what God told them to do and still had incredibly difficult things to go through (Luke 2:1-7)
  • The trip to Bethlehem would have been incredibly inconvenient and annoying
  • The “stable” was not what we think of when we hear Jesus was born in a manger. It was typically a dirty cave with stinky animals in it.
• Mary and Joseph’s obedience had to do with perspective. Apparently, Joseph and Mary’s character allowed them to have an attitude of humility before God instead of entitlement.
  • What’s your response to unmet expectations, or to things you feel entitled to?
• Is it anger at God, loss of hope, taking things into your own hands or trusting Him?

The main character in this story is Jesus

• What Jesus was entitled to:
  • A royal welcome like none other, His glory being known, all of creation worshipping him
• What his attitude was:

Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT) You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. ⁶ Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. ⁷ Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, ⁸ he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

• What Jesus said yes to:
  • Being away from his true home and his Father in Heaven
  • Humanity and all that that meant
    • Entering in as a baby
    • Complete reliance on others
    • Humiliating circumstances
    • Being taught and corrected
  • Ridicule, death and carrying the weight of all humanity’s sin
• This is matchless humility when He was entitled to everything!

Do we celebrate Christmas with a heart of entitlement, causing us to miss what this season should be, or a heart of humility, which allows us to celebrate even when things aren’t what we desire?

• Are there things that you’ve held onto as your rights that God wants you to let go of this year?
• How would saying, “Yes” to God’s plan, instead of having a sense of entitlement, change your Christmas experience?
  • Do you need to let go of your idea of the “Perfect Christmas”
• Practical ways to focus on God and others.
  • Take a step this week. Do something that will help you be more in line with God
    • What would intentionally cause you to focus on others instead of yourself?
  • Advent Calendar, Daily devotion time, invite others to Christmas Eve services

For Small Group Discussion

Opening Question: What is a Christmas gift that you felt “entitled” to during your childhood?

Main Point: Do we celebrate Christmas with a heart of entitlement, causing us to miss

what this season should be, or a heart of humility, which allows us to celebrate even when

things aren’t what we hope they would be?

Main Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25

Head Questions

• What was special about Mary in this story? What was notable about Joseph’s response?
• What were Mary and Joseph giving up to take on this mission?

Heart Questions

• What obstacles do you face in believing God wants to do something amazing in and through you?
• What is an area where you wrestle with entitlement? How could humility act as the antidote for you personally?

Hands Questions

• How would a heart of humility, instead of entitlement change your Christmas experience?
• What are ways you can make Christ the center of this season all month long?

Additional Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8

Tips and Resources: Advent Calendar. Pray about people to invite to services, or Christmas dinner.

For more sermon resources, podcasts, and other tools go to:  https://realliferesources.org/current-series/ (www.realliferesources.org)