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The Joy of His Arrival: Celebrating the Birth of Christ

Bible Passage: Luke 2:15–21

Summary: This passage narrates the response of the shepherds who, after receiving the news of Jesus’ birth, hurried to find Him, and it highlights the importance of sharing the good news of His arrival.

Application: By understanding the joy and urgency of the shepherds in sharing the good news, Christians are encouraged to actively participate in sharing the message of Christ in their own lives. This can inspire believers to seek and celebrate Christ daily and to be witnesses of His love and grace in a world that often feels dark.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that the birth of Christ brings great joy and is a catalyst for action. It reinforces the idea that encountering Jesus leads to transformation, excitement, and a desire to proclaim His goodness to others.

How this passage could point to Christ: In this passage, the emphasis on the announcement of Jesus' birth illustrates His role as the Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. Throughout the Scriptures, Christ is revealed as the Savior who brings hope, peace, and joy, accessible to all, including the marginalized, like the shepherds.

Big Idea: The arrival of Christ brings us unparalleled joy and compels us to share His love with the world.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, it may be beneficial to explore the historical context of shepherds in the first century, as their low status highlights God's choice in revealing Jesus to them first. You might also look into the original Greek terms used in conveying joy and proclamation to deepen your understanding of their significance. Logos resources on Luke’s nativity narrative could provide insights into the theological implications of Jesus' birth and its fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

1. Shepherds' Swift Search

Luke 2:15-16

You could emphasize the shepherds' immediate response to the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth. This reaction illustrates the joy and urgency that should accompany hearing the gospel. By focusing on this passage, suggest that believers today are also invited to respond promptly and joyfully to Christ's arrival, moving from revelation to action.

2. Spread the Good News

Luke 2:17-18

Perhaps this section can highlight the shepherds’ excitement in sharing the news, suggesting that true encounters with Christ naturally lead to proclamation. Use these verses to encourage your congregation to become messengers of the Good News, much like the shepherds, spreading the joy of Jesus' birth to all they meet.

3. Mary's Meditative Moment

Luke 2:19

Maybe explore Mary's reflective response, using this verse to encourage personal meditation on the deeper meanings of Jesus’ birth. This pause for wonder and contemplation in one's heart is crucial for personal spiritual growth and can deepen one's appreciation and awareness of Christ in our lives.

4. Shepherds' Spiritual Journey

Luke 2:20-21

You could conclude by highlighting the shepherds’ return, glorifying and praising God, as a model of a life transformed by encountering Jesus. Reinforce the idea that meeting Christ leads to transformation and ongoing worship, encouraging believers to continuously celebrate and share this joy in their daily lives.

Sermon: The Joy of His Arrival: Celebrating the Birth of Christ

Bible Passage: Luke 2:15–21

Introduction: Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, and reflection on the incredible gift of Jesus Christ. The story of the shepherds in Luke 2 reminds us of the transformative joy of encountering Christ and the compelling call to share His love with the world. Today, we’ll walk through this passage and reflect on how the shepherds’ response to the birth of Jesus can inspire our own lives.

1. Shepherds' Swift Search

Scripture: "When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger."(Luke 2:15–16)

The shepherds, simple and humble laborers, immediately responded to the angelic announcement with urgency and excitement. They didn't hesitate or delay; they acted on the message of good news.

Application: When we hear the gospel, our response should be the same—swift and joyful. Like the shepherds, we are invited to seek Jesus with urgency and delight. Ask yourself: Are you making time to pursue Jesus in your daily life? The New Testament word for “church” (Greek: ekklesia) derives from the word “called” and the preposition “out,” and so it is popularly asserted that the church, by definition, is “those who are called out (by God).” That the church consists of those “called into the fellowship of Christ” (1 Cor 1:9) cannot be doubted. The word Ekklesia simply means “assembly” or “congregation”; the nature of the congregation in question must be determined by context. The notion of the church’s divine “calling” is grounded not in the word “church” but in the terminology of “calling”. Reflection: The shepherds’ search wasn’t for knowledge or recognition but for Him. This Christmas, may we also prioritize seeking Christ above all else. For us, because God’s call is to salvation, it may also be described as a call to freedom (Gal 5:13), to eternal life (1 Tim 6:12), and to light (1 Pet 2:9). Moreover, it is a calling that issues in hope (Eph 1:18; 4:4) and holiness (1 Thess 4:7) and entails the corresponding responsibility to live faithfully (Eph 4:1; 2 Thess 1:11; cf. 2 Pet 1:10) and even to suffer (1 Pet 2:20–21). In ancient Greece, the term 'Ekklesia' referred to a gathering of citizens who would come together to discuss important matters. Imagine if in our modern world, we viewed our church gatherings in the same way—actively participating in discussing our faith, community, and the needs of others. We are not just passive attendees but active members of the body of Christ, bringing our unique voices to the table, influencing our church and beyond.

2. Spread the Good News

Scripture: "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them." (Luke 2:17–18)

The shepherds didn’t keep the good news to themselves. Their encounter with Jesus compelled them to share it with everyone they met. Their excitement and joy were contagious.

Application: As Christians, we are called to be messengers of Christ’s love and salvation. The shepherds didn’t wait to become scholars or theologians—they shared what they had experienced. This reminds us that we don’t need to be perfect or have all the answers to share the good news. Scripture often speaks of salvation as the result of God’s call, but this language of “calling” to salvation is used in at least two distinct senses. God’s “call” is sometimes cast as his “invitation,” a general call to the lost to come to him and be saved (Matt 9:13; 22:1–13; Mark 2:17). In this sense, “calling” refers to God’s open invitation to salvation, by the gospel, to all the lost. When we consider the 'Ekklesia,' it’s essential to recognize that it means 'called out ones.' This means each of us is chosen by God to be part of His family, a community of believers. Yet, in our daily lives, do we act as if we have been called? Can we make a conscious effort to foster relationships within our church that reflect the love of Christ to the world around us? Challenge: Who in your life needs to hear the message of hope and joy found in Christ? Like the shepherds, don’t hesitate to share it.

3. Mary's Meditative Moment

Scripture: "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

In the midst of the excitement and activity, Mary paused to reflect. She held onto the moments, treasuring the significance of what God had done.

Application: In a season filled with busyness, take time to meditate on the wonder of Christ’s birth. Reflect on how His arrival has transformed your life and deepened your faith. First, there is proclamation of the message and its reception through grace-enabled faith. Without this, the gospel cannot be heard and nobody can respond to it (Rom 10:17). The word of God, therefore, is the foundation for everything else that the Holy Spirit does in the life of a believer. Think about the way a child approaches a task. They might stumble, trip, and fall, but they persist because they have grace—grace from their parents who will celebrate their effort over their failures. Similarly, our faith operates on grace. We might not get it right all the time, but our Heavenly Father encourages our attempts as we grow. Grace enables us not just to try, but to thrive, just as a child learns to walk without fear of failing. Encouragement: Spiritual growth often happens in moments of stillness. Make space for quiet reflection on the incredible truth that Jesus is Emmanuel—God with us.

4. Shepherds' Spiritual Journey

Scripture: "The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." (Luke 2:20)

After encountering Jesus, the shepherds didn’t return to their old routines unchanged. They went back glorifying and praising God, their lives transformed by the joy of meeting the Savior.

Application: Our worship doesn’t end with Christmas—it’s the beginning of a life lived in celebration and gratitude for God’s gift of salvation. How is your life reflecting the joy and praise of knowing Christ? In the Bible, we see Peter walk on water; he had faith, but he also had grace when he faltered. As he sank, Jesus reached out—no condemnation, just grace. This story illustrates how we can respond to grace-enabled faith: by stepping out boldly, knowing that even if we wobble or fall, grace is there to lift us up again. It encourages us to embrace faith, not fear. Action Step: Make worship and gratitude a daily practice, not just a seasonal one. Let the joy of Christ's birth infuse every aspect of your life.

Big Idea: The arrival of Christ brings unparalleled joy and compels us to share His love with the world. Like the shepherds, we are invited to seek, celebrate, and share Jesus, letting His presence transform us into messengers of His grace.

Once, a little boy took a handful of candy to school to share with his friends. Instead of keeping it all to himself, he declared that candy is best when shared. Similarly, the love of God is like that candy; it’s sweet and fulfilling, and the more we share it, the more joy it brings to ourselves and others. Let’s not hoard His love but freely give it away!

Conclusion: As we celebrate Christmas, may we follow the example of the shepherds:

Seek Jesus with urgency. Share the good news boldly. Reflect deeply on His love. Worship continuously with transformed hearts.

The joy of Christ’s arrival isn’t just for one day—it’s a gift to carry and share throughout our lives. This Christmas, let’s be the light in a dark world, bringing the message of hope, peace, and joy found in the Savior.

Imagine a world where everyone wakes up every morning and asks themselves, 'How can I share God’s love today?' A teenager could help a classmate with homework, or a parent could hug their child a little tighter. It’s as if we’re all secret agents with a mission to spread joy and love. What if we decided to be joy-spreaders every day of our lives?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. Help us to seek Him daily, share His love with others, and live in joyful worship. May the message of His birth transform us and inspire us to be messengers of hope in the world. Amen.