The Gift That Transforms

Luke 2:8–20 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 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.

Introduction

Attention Getter: Imagine receiving a beautifully wrapped gift and being so amazed that you not only cherish it but also use it every day as it transforms your life. That’s the story of Christmas—the story of Jesus, the greatest gift ever given.

Context: As believers, we have already received this gift of salvation. But the Christmas story is more than a reminder of our moment of salvation; it’s a call to live in gratitude, joy, and faithfulness because of what Christ has done.

Transition: Let’s begin by revisiting why we needed this gift in the first place. Even as believers, remembering our need keeps us humble and grateful.

We Needed the Gift (vv.10-12)

Luke 2:10–12 ESV

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

The angel’s proclamation, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people,” reminds us of our desperate need for salvation. Even as saved individuals, we must never forget that we were once lost in sin Ephesians 2:1–3

Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Without Christ, we were separated from God, hopeless and incapable of saving ourselves. But in His love, God provided Jesus as our Savior. . .

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Reflecting on our past condition helps us walk in humility and gratitude. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This truth should motivate us to extend grace and compassion to others, especially those who are still lost.

This Christmas, let’s cultivate gratitude. Reflect on where you were before Christ saved you and thank Him for His grace. Let this reminder inspire you to pray for and witness to those who still need salvation.

If you haven’t yet received this gift, recognize today that Jesus came for you. His birth, death, and resurrection were God’s way of saying, “I love you, and I want to save you.”

Transition: Remembering our need keeps us grounded, but the story doesn’t stop there. As believers, we’re called to live out our faith in response to God’s gift.

Live Out the Gift by Faith (vv.13–15)

Luke 2:13–15 ESV

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 among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

The shepherds didn’t just hear the message; they acted on it. “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” Their faith was evident in their obedience and willingness to seek Jesus. As believers, we are called to live out our faith daily, trusting God’s promises and walking in obedience. James 2:17 reminds us, “Faith without works is dead.”

Faith is not just the starting point of our journey; it’s the foundation of our daily walk with Christ. Philippians 2:12 encourages us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” This doesn’t mean we earn salvation, but that we grow in maturity, reflecting Christ in our actions, relationships, and decisions.

What does it look like to live by faith this Christmas season?

It means prioritizing time with God:

Start your day with prayer, seeking His guidance before anything else.

Set aside time to read His Word, meditating on the story of Christ’s birth and its meaning for your life.

Pause for worship, whether at home or with your church family, lifting your heart in gratitude for the gift of salvation.

Serve others in His name, sharing His love with someone in need.

Reflect on His goodness, taking time to thank Him for the blessings in your life.

Living by faith also means putting these priorities into action. It looks like forgiving those who have wronged us, giving generously, and boldly sharing the gospel with those who need to hear it.

Faith in action not only transforms us but becomes a witness to others, shining the light of Christ in a world that desperately needs Him.

If you haven’t taken that step of faith, today is the day to trust Jesus. Just as the shepherds left their fields to find Him, you can come to Him, knowing He will welcome you with open arms.

Transition: Living by faith should lead to a life filled with joy. Let’s see how the shepherds modeled this joy after encountering Jesus.

Share the Joy of the Gift (vv.16–20)

Luke 2:16–20 ESV

16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 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.

After seeing Jesus, the shepherds couldn’t keep the news to themselves. They glorified and praised God, telling others what they had experienced. Their joy wasn’t just emotional; it was transformative and contagious. As believers, we are called to share the joy of salvation with others.

Christmas cannot be overshadowed by Santa, reindeer, or shopping sprees. The lights on our trees can’t outshine the Light of the World. The jingling bells of holiday cheer can never silence the angels' chorus declaring, “Glory to God in the highest!” The greatest gift is not wrapped in colorful paper under a tree; it was wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger.

We must not allow the noise of the season to drown out the message of salvation. This world needs the Savior more than it needs sales. It needs the Prince of Peace more than it needs holiday parties. And it needs the joy of the Lord more than the fleeting happiness of a festive celebration.

Let us, like the shepherds, make known the Good News. Let us declare with our lives and our voices that Jesus Christ is born! Share the joy that He has brought into your life, and let the world see that this is the true reason for the season.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), evidence of God’s work in our lives. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the assurance of God’s love and salvation (Psalm 16:11). Sharing this joy is part of our mission as followers of Christ.

Psalm 16:11 ESV

11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

This Christmas, let your joy in Christ overflow. Share your testimony with someone who doesn’t know Him. Serve others as an expression of His love. Live in such a way that people see the joy of Christ in you and are drawn to Him.

The joy the shepherds experienced can be yours today. If you’ve been searching for meaning, hope, or peace, you’ll find it in Jesus.

Transition: The shepherds’ story shows us how to respond to God’s gift—with gratitude, faith, and joy. As we close, let’s reflect on how we can live out this message today.

Conclusion

Christmas is not just a time to remember Jesus’ birth but to renew our commitment to live for Him. We are called to remember why we needed the gift, live out our faith daily, and share the joy of salvation with others.

As we celebrate, ask yourself: Am I living in gratitude for what Jesus has done? Am I walking by faith in my daily life? Am I sharing His joy with those around me? This Christmas, let’s recommit to being faithful witnesses of the gift we’ve received.

If you have not yet received this gift, it’s available to you today. Jesus came to save you, and all you need to do is trust Him as your Savior.

Hoop Close: Can you hear the angels singing? “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” The angels announced it, the shepherds witnessed it, and we have experienced it. God gave His all in Jesus. Now I ask you, is it too much to give your all to Him? When He came to the manger, He had Calvary in view. When He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, He knew He’d one day be wrapped in a borrowed tomb. But early one Sunday morning, He got up with all power in His hands. That’s the gift we didn’t deserve but can’t live without!