CHRISTMAS EVE 2024

THE CHRISTMAS DONKEY

We have all seen nativity scenes with the Jesus’ family, shepherds, wise men and animals. We may have even acted in or seen Christmas pageants played out in churches. My 5thgrade Christmas play was the Small One – and I played the small one – the donkey – hold your laughter and jokes til afterwards.

As we celebrate Christmas tonight we will look at how God’s use of the donkey in prophecy has specific purposes – so Let us Pray!

Theme: The donkey in the Christmas story symbolizes humility, service, and God's quiet faithfulness in the midst of extraordinary events. As we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we remember that even the most humble and unassuming parts of the story are filled with divine purpose.

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 – In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Zechariah 9:9 – Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Matthew 21:2-3 (The Triumphal Entry)- saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”

v7 – They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them.

The donkey bookends Jesus’ life –

Carries Him to be born – carries Him to die

Donkey continues to bear the sign of his service – only animal with a cross on His back – like Jesus carrying the cross on His back to Golgotha.

Introduction:

Often we tend to focus on the key figures of the Christmas story—Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men—but there's another character often overlooked: the donkey.

Neither Luke nor Matthew mention the donkey but the distance traveled was over 81 miles – not likely they walked

Donkeys were more humble – mostly likely all Joseph could afford

The donkey was not only part of the humble circumstances of Christ’s birth but also plays a significant role in God’s plan for the coming Messiah.

Today, we reflect on how the donkey symbolizes three key aspects of the Christmas message: humility, service, and faithfulness.

1. The Donkey’s Humility – Jesus Comes in Humility

Scripture Reference: Luke 2:7

The donkey was a humble animal, not a majestic horse or a royal chariot. Mary and Joseph likely traveled on this humble creature through difficult terrain to reach Bethlehem.

Reflect on the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth: born in a manger, not a palace, to a young couple with no wealth or status.

Jesus, though the King of Kings, entered the world in the most modest way, showing that God's kingdom is not built on power, wealth, or prestige, but on humility and grace.

Key Point: Jesus did not come to impress or show off His divine power; He came in humility to identify with the poor, the meek, and the humble. The donkey serves as a symbol of that humility.

Application: We must all embrace this humility in own own lives, especially during the holiday season, where the temptation is to focus on materialism and status. True greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in humility.

2. The Donkey’s Service – The Call to Serve Others

Scripture Reference: Matthew 21:5 (The Triumphal Entry)

The donkey served as a means of transportation for Mary and Joseph to reach Bethlehem, and it also carried Jesus into Jerusalem in His triumphal entry.

The donkey's role was not glamorous, but it was essential. It served without recognition, without praise, yet it played a crucial part in God’s plan.

Jesus Himself modeled a life of service, teaching His disciples that greatness in His kingdom is found through serving others Matthew 20:26-28 -It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Key Point: The donkey’s role was to serve, and in doing so, it participated in the fulfillment of God’s plan. Likewise, we are called to serve others humbly, following the example of Christ.

Christ came to serve – we are to follow His example

Application: As we being a new year next week look for opportunities to serve not only during the Christmas season—not for recognition, but as a way of participating in God's kingdom work, but also after Christmas – extending His message of service to all 52 weeks. How can we serve in the spirit of Christ’s humility and love?

3. The Donkey’s Faithfulness – God Uses the Unseen and Ordinary

Scripture Reference: Luke 2:6-7

The donkey wasn’t a focal point of the Christmas story, yet it played a significant role in carrying Mary and Joseph to the birthplace of the Savior. The donkey's role in the story was quiet, unseen, and yet indispensable.

God often works through the small, humble, and ordinary things to fulfill His divine purposes. The donkey reminds us that no task is too insignificant when it is done in faithfulness to God’s plan.

Just as God used a humble donkey in the story of the first Christmas, He continues to use ordinary people and simple acts to bring about His kingdom.

Key Point: The donkey’s faithful service teaches us that God values our faithfulness in small things. We might not always see the impact of our actions, but God uses our faithfulness to further His greater purposes.

Application: As we close consider your own role in God’s plan—however small or unnoticed it may seem. How can you remain faithful in your everyday life, trusting that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Conclusion:

As we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us remember the donkey—a symbol of humility, service, and faithfulness.

Jesus came to the world in the most humble of circumstances, riding a donkey to demonstrate the nature of His kingdom. He calls each of us to embrace humility, to serve others selflessly, and to remain faithful, knowing that God uses even the most ordinary moments to fulfill His extraordinary purposes.

Let the donkey remind us that God's kingdom often comes in quiet, unassuming ways—ways that call us to humble service, to faithfulness, and to trust that God is at work, even when we don’t see it.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, as we celebrate Your birth, help us to follow Your example of humility, service, and faithfulness. May we, like the donkey, play our part in Your plan, no matter how small it may seem. Fill us with Your love and peace this Christmas, and help us to be faithful servants in Your kingdom. Amen.

Tonight’s message can be a thoughtful reflection on how even the most humble and unassuming aspects of the Christmas story—like the donkey—carry deep spiritual significance, calling us to humble service and faithfulness in our own lives. Kanda and I have bought a donkey Christmas ornament for every family to remind us of the humbles of Christmas so make sure to grab your goodie bag and ornament and the church has bought a Christmas book for family with young kids. As we end Let us take up our Christmas collection for missions and outreach.

Let us pray!