How A Child Changed Everything
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Thank Guia and the parents
Key Passage: Luke 2:8-20
Introduction
Introduction
Open with the idea that certain news has the power to change the course of history and individual lives—think of the world-changing moments of recent years.
Opening Story
Opening Story
Story: The Christmas Truce of 1914
During World War I, after millions have already died from this war.. on Christmas Eve 1914, soldiers from opposing sides—the British and Germans—laid down their weapons and emerged from their trenches. They sang carols, exchanged small gifts, and even played soccer. For a brief moment, the light of peace broke through the darkness of war.
Reflect: Just as the news of Jesus’ birth brought to enemies at war, it has the power to bring peace to ours—even in the most divided and hostile times.
Connection:
Emphasize that the good news of Jesus’ birth isn’t just historical; it’s personal and powerful enough to change hearts, restore relationships, and bring peace to our world today.
We have folks in the trenches, Orville, Sandy, Candy and Pierre
Transition to the shepherds in Luke 2, who received news that not only changed their lives but also continues to transform the world.
Pose the question: What does the good news of Jesus’ birth mean for us today?
The Good News of the Child in the Manger:
Does not Overlook Anyone.
Leads to A Response.
The Good News of the Child in the Manger…
Does Not Overlook Anyone.
Focus: The angelic announcement came during a dark, ordinary night, reminding us that God’s good news breaks into the mundane and the difficult.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
why shepherds?
Sheep
beautiful images of Shepherds, David, Psalm 23, Jesus being the Good Shepherd.
shepherds belong to the lowest rung of society (close to outcasts and rejects, even criminals), socially and ceremonially unclean
they are important in their religion, they take care of the lamb for animal sacrifices that are meant to cleanse people of their sins, but they themselves are considered unclean.
It is ironic, that in tending to the sheep to be used in their religion, they themselves have been cutoff from their religion.
religion alienates, talk about people turned off by organized religion.
10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Contextual Insight:
The shepherds were working in the fields at night—symbolic of human struggles, fears, and uncertainties.
God’s glory interrupted their night with the message, “Do not be afraid” (v.10).
Relevance in 2024:
Given up on religion? God is near.
The Good News of the Child in the Manger…
2. Leads to A Response.
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
found - word used for finding something after a search
Focus: The shepherds didn’t just hear the news—they acted on it. They went to see Jesus and then spread the message with joy.
17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Challenge the congregation to take action—whether by sharing their faith, helping a neighbor, or stepping into a ministry opportunity. Remind them that their response to the gospel has the power to change lives.
Gordon, Generous people Jen and Dee, Phillip Baca
Iris, Criselda,
Joy, Rene, Garilyn, and the volunteers at the coffee shop.
Our city Ministry: Katherine and Regina
Chaplain Kris, Kris Katzenmeyer TUMI
Mylene and Jan for iTIM
The youth ministry led by a new leader, Josh De Guzman, with help from Andrei, Josh Orendain, KC, and Cece
The kids ministry where Julie and Guia serve
The worship team led by Pastor Pete, and the worship leaders Christine, Sandy
The AV team led by Josiah, Dianne and Vince
Counseling Ministry: Chaplain Kris, Gary, Christine
The elders of the church led by Philip, Pastor Pete, Jeff, Josh, Don, Frank, Ishmael
All around guy who prays for people at the food bank: Willie
Contextual Insight:
Their response shows the proper reaction to encountering the gospel:
The Shepherds WENT, they they WITNESSED and then they WORSHIPED
19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
The Shepherds WENT, WITNESSED and WORSHIPED.
Their lives were never the same again. I believe there lives were transformed. They encountered the newborn CHrist, but I find it hard to believe that later on they did not encounter the risen Christ.
Rejected? Alienated by religion? Judged? Condemned by a religious system?
Conclusion: A Call to Respond
Conclusion: A Call to Respond
Recap the two points: The Lord Jesus does not overlook anyone, even what has been rejected
Will you let the light of Christ change you this Christmas? Will you share this life-changing news with someone who needs it?
Jesus can turn something that is rejected into something praiseworthy for his glory.
Story of a song that was so controversial that it was banned.
Mid-1800s in France Placide Cappueau was asked to write a song for Christmas service. He wrote the song about the birth of Jesus and enlisted the help of his Jewish friend Adolphe Charles Adam to compose the music.
France initially accepted the carol, but its writer Placide Cappueau was eventually swayed by socialist propaganda, and walked away from his faith. The church in France condemned the song because of this.
Nevertheless, the lyrics and music made its ways to America through abolitionist (explain) John Sullivan Dwight. He changed some of the lyrics slightly. Dwight particularly identified with the third verse which spoke about breaking the chains of slavery and seeing every man as our brother. Thanks to Dwight and the covert efforts of the lyrics being sung during Christmas in Europe, the song’s notoriety spread worldwide, rumored to have been even sung on Christmas Eve during the Franco-Prussian War.
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
