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Stepping Through Christmas - Week One

November 29, 2026 0 0

 

The Doorstep, Preparing the Threshold

 

This week, we explore what it means to wait at the entrance of Christmas, to clear the spiritual clutter, and prepare our lives for a holy arrival. Advent is an ancient tradition that uses the Bible to examine our lives, both as individuals and as communities, so that we may be prepared for the future God is unlocking. What are we expecting from this Advent? What doorways are we preparing to go through?

 

1. Prepare the Way -- Isaiah 40: 1-5 

Theme: We stand once again at the doorway of Advent. This year we don’t want to be simply stepping ‘into’ Christmas but rather ‘through’ Christmas to the open road of adventure that is waiting for us on the other side!
 

Context: This reading of anticipation and renewal has been heard at the start of Advent by millions of Christians over the last two thousand years. Verse 3 links directly with Mark 1: 1-8 as John the Baptist, like us each Advent, anticipates the coming of Jesus.
 

Discussion Questions:  
 

  • What words or phrases stand out to you in this reading? What could God be calling you to notice or observe in the text?
     
  • As we stand on the threshold of Advent, what are the distractions, mess and clutter (and even commitments and responsibilities!) that we need to clear out of the way to clear a path so we can step into this time with God?

Personal Reflection: Standing on the threshold of the season, what are you expecting from this time?

 

2. Waiting at the Posts -- Proverbs 8: 32-36 (we will focus on these verses but feel free to read all of chapter 8!)

Theme: The daily practice of watching and waiting at Wisdom's doorway, learning to abide in Christ (see John 15:4).
 

Context: The Book of Proverbs fits into the genre of ‘wisdom literature’ and is a collection of ancient sayings and meditations about morality, values and living wisely and well. Notably in Proverbs ‘Wisdom’ is often personified as a person – therefore becoming not simply something we learn, but someone we get to know.
 

Discussion Questions:
 

  • ‘Wisdom’ here is personified as a woman welcoming us to her door. Where do we see doorways to wisdom in our world today and are we paying attention to them? Are our church doors open doors to wisdom? What about the doors of our homes? Or our schools and colleges and universities? What about the doors to the corridors of power?
     
  • Where do we see wisdom in public life and wider society? And where do we long to see wisdom?

Personal Reflection: What does the phrase ‘A wise Christmas’ mean to you?

 

3. The Judge at the Door -- James 5: 7-9

Theme: Christmas isn’t all cosiness, it opens the door to a vivid new reality as heaven touches earth!
 

Context In this text we recognize that God’s presence is incredibly close, right on the threshold of our reality (see Matthew 1: 21-23). We are often grateful for God’s grace, mindful of his mercy, but jumpy about his justice, preferring not to think about it too much! But while Jesus loves the world unconditionally he is also deeply invested in it and longs for justice and fairness.
 

Discussion Questions:
 

  • Why do you think ‘grumbling’ against one another is singled out as such an issue here?
     
  • What are some of the grumbles we have about Christmas that we need to let go of in order to make mental space for the things that matter this Advent

Personal Reflection: Is there a grumble you’re struggling to let go of? Ask God to take your grumbles and complaints for a while so as to spare your friends and family!

 

Head to Week Two!