This swap series will help us to finish out the year with an attitude of worship! Jesus is the Reason for the Holiday Season, so let’s keep our hearts and minds on Him this Christmas! Read the recommended Bible passages and the Christmasy blurb below. Send your partner a letter or notecard answering the questions at the end of this post.

Bible passages to read and reflect on this week: Luke 1:5-38

Zechariah and Elizabeth had grown old waiting for a child. But then one day, when Zechariah had an opportunity to burn incense in a holy, inner room of the temple, an angel of God appeared and said that their prayers had been heard. They would soon have a child! But it seemed too good to be true. Zechariah didn’t believe the message at first, so the angel told him he would not be able to speak anymore until the child was born. When we wait for a long time for something to happen, it’s easy to let our doubts and fears overshadow God’s promises. Sometimes we feel more secure in clinging to our sinful habits and our broken dreams. “You expect me to talk about what God is doing in my life? With people who know me all too well? No thanks,” we easily say, “not me.” In some ways the story of Christmas seems too good to be true. Can sinful human beings really have a relationship with the holy God? Can people searching for purpose in life really discover the call of God on their hearts? Yes! God promises that we too can be part of the story he is writing—about humanity being redeemed and restored to live in favor with the One who made heaven and earth. Thankfully, not even our doubts can cancel God’s plans. And, in Jesus, God comes into our world offering new life for us all! Can you believe it?

How does Zechariah's faith with God's promise contrast with Mary's faith in God's promise in her life?

Do you feel like you identify more with Mary or with Zechariah?