Christmas Option: Monotony, Disruption & Direction

Joe Stewart
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Christmas Option
Sunday Morning

Monotony, Disruption, and Direction

We often do the Christmas story a disservice due to its familiarity. More times than not, we romanticize the events of the Nativity as we put them on postcards, in children’s plays, and sing about them in cute Christmas carols. But living through the events of the Christmas story would have at times felt dreadful. A teenage girl with her future ahead of her was rocked by scandal—even though she didn’t do anything wrong. A newlywed couple was uprooted from their home, their family, and their support system during the most inconvenient time of their lives. A king who was already losing his power to a Roman occupation discovered a new king was born that would be an even greater threat to his authority. It seems every life that was touched by the events of Christmas experienced inconvenience and hardship. Yet, through those inconveniences, the greatest opportunities presented themselves. Opportunities for peace in the midst of chaos, for powerful influence, and ultimately for the salvation of all humanity. The Christmas Option is a four-week series that tells the Nativity story in a unique and powerful way.

Locations & Times

First Baptist Church Seminole Tx

202 SW Ave B, Seminole, TX 79360, USA

Sunday 5:00 AM

Messy Christmas

Messy Christmas

Read Plan

Give Generously

At our church, it is our desire to serve our community and share the life-changing message of hope and truth in Jesus. We see giving as another way we can our worship God by generously and joyfully giving toward the ministry and mission he has called us to together.

https://fbcseminole.org/give

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We meet Sundays:
9:30 am First Service
10:30 am Second Service
Connect Groups on Sunday
Connect Groups throughout the week.

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You are the Reason for the Season

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Intertestamental Period and Judas Maccabees (Hammer)

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Judas the Hammer and Hannukah

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Luke 2:8-20 NIV

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this childand all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

1. The Initial Audience
2. Interruption leads to Disruption
3. Pivot to Purpose
In the Ordinary He shows His glory. It is monotony a moment comes.
2 Interruption that Leads to Disruption

Disruption comes before Direction

There is no greater interruption than the incarnation.

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Good news causes great Joy! You are the Reason for the Season
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3. Pivot Point to Purpose
Context & History
1. How does the 400‑year silence between Malachi and the Gospels shape our understanding of the shepherds’ encounter in Luke 2?2. What parallels do you see between Israel’s expectation of a conquering king and our own expectations of how God should act today?

Spiritual Sight
3. Joe shared the cataract illustration—how does this help us understand spiritual blindness (Eph. 4:17–18; 2 Cor. 4:4)?

4. In what ways have you experienced God “removing the veil” so you could see His truth more clearly?

Ordinary Life
5. The shepherds were simply “keeping watch” when God showed up. Where in your ordinary routines might God want to reveal His glory?

6. How can we guard against “destination disease”—always waiting for the next big thing—and instead delight in God’s presence in the everyday?

Interruptions & Disruptions
7. Why do divine interruptions often feel like disruptions before they feel like direction? Share a time when God interrupted your plans for His purpose.

8. How does the Incarnation itself—God becoming flesh—serve as the greatest interruption in history?

Personal Savior
9. Luke 2:11 says, “A Savior has been born to you.” How does the personal nature of the gospel change the way you live and share your faith?

10. Jesus is Prophet, Priest, and King. Which of these roles speaks most to your current season of life, and why?

Response & Witness
11.The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and then spread the word. What does their example teach us about urgency and obedience in sharing the gospel?

12.How can our group encourage one another to “live from overflow” and share Christ naturally in everyday conversations?

Scripture: Luke 2: 8-20