The Christmas Story Part Two

Who gets down/depressed after the Christmas season/holiday?

Why do you think that is?

Luke 2:1–20 NLT

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Truths:

The Birth of Christ is Good news

The birth of Christ was news that would bring great joy

The good news and great joy would be for all people

Jesus is our Savior

God is worthy to be praised for the birth of Christ

Peace is for the people who God is pleased with

The shepherds went directly to Bethlehem

God made known to them Jesus

What God says is the truth, exactly

The shepherds proclaimed this news to everyone

The shepherds continued to glorify God

Mary continued to be honored with the responsibility of being the mother of the Son of God

Questions:

What was the good news? The birth of Jesus.

What was special about this good news? It was news of great joy.

Who was the good news for? All people

Who is Jesus? Our Savior

Upon hearing the news, how the shepherds react? They went directly to Bethlehem to see if it was true

Wh

When the shepherds discovered it was true, how did they react? They went and told everyone

The shepherds trusted enough to go and find out for themselves. How can we continue to look for ourselves?

When we discover the truth, how should we act?

The shepherds, after having such an amazing experience, they didn’t become depressed or down, what did they do? Why?

Who is the center of praise in these verses? God. It is always God. God showed truth. They saw God’s word to be true; therefore, they believed Him in the further truth of realizing Jesus was truly their savior.

After Christmas, the sh

This Christmas season, how can we keep perspective?