Christmas is about “bread”.
Luke 2:1-7
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Bethlehem -
Manger -
Jesus -
John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
The Bread of Life… was born in The House of Bread… and placed in a feeding trough… to satisfy the hunger of every human heart.
Theological Implications:
God’s Provision
Exodus 16
John 6:48-51
48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
God’s Promise
Micah 5:1-5 -
God’s Presence
Leviticus 24:5-9 -
Eucharistic meaning -
Luke 22:19
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
Four views on the Eucharist
Transubstantiation -
Consubstantiation (Sacramental Union) -
Memorial -
Spiritual Presence -
Sacrament - a non verbal action - declaration of the gospel. Outward sign of inward grace.
Communion - celebrate the gift of the Bread of Life
Group Discussion Questions:
Warm-up / Icebreaker
1. What’s your favorite part of celebrating Christmas, and how does it help you reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ birth?
Digging into Scripture
Read Luke 2:1-7 and John 6:35, 48-51
2. Why do you think God chose Bethlehem, the “House of Bread,” for Jesus to be born?
3. What is the significance of Jesus being placed in a manger (a feeding trough)?
4. In John 6:35, Jesus says He is the “Bread of Life.” How does this connect to His birth in Bethlehem and the manger?
Theological Reflections
5. God’s provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16) sustained the Israelites for a time. How is Jesus’ provision greater? How does Jesus, the Bread of Life, satisfy a deeper hunger than physical bread?
Connecting to Communion
6. During the Last Supper (Luke 22:19), Jesus broke bread and said, “This is my body, given for you.” How does celebrating Communion help us remember and experience Jesus as the Bread of Life? What questions do you have about communion?
7. What does it mean to “feast” on Jesus daily in your spiritual life?
Reflection/ Application
8. Christmas is often marked by busyness and materialism. How can you refocus on celebrating Jesus as the Bread of Life this season?