Same Old Story

An Old Story

Senior’s Home

November 18, 2007

Luke 2:6-12

“Today", Mrs. Peters told her Sunday school class, "we're going to review the record of Christ's birth, so please turn in your Bibles to the second chapter of Luke and we’ll read verse 6 to 12." This is what that passage in God’s Word says: “And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born; and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!"

Tammy opened her Bible, but as the Scripture was being read, she tuned out her teacher's voice. It wasn't that she didn't like the Christmas story—it was just that she knew it so well. In fact, she believed she could probably teach the class herself! During the last week or so, she had heard the Christmas story in Awana Club, she had read it in a Sunday school paper, and she had seen it acted out on a television program. So while Mrs. Peters talked, Tammy thought about the new bike she expected to receive as a Christmas present.

Finally class was over, and Mrs. Peters closed in prayer. Tammy walked to the main auditorium with Gina, who had been coming to church for only a few months. "Wow! That was a good story!" exclaimed Gina.

Tammy looked at her in surprise. "I've heard it hundreds of times!"

"Well, I've heard it, too," said Gina, "but this is the first Christmas I've been a Christian, so this is the first year I've really understood what it meant. Just think, Tammy! Jesus came to earth for you and me! God must love us a lot to send His only Son to earth to die!"

As Tammy sat down in the pew, she thought about Gina's words. Yes, she understood what God had done. She knew the story almost by heart, but she realized now that she hadn't thought seri­ously about it for a long time. As a result, she had long ago stopped getting excited about it. But now she saw that Christ's birth was not something she should take for granted. Tammy opened her Bible to the second chapter of Luke once again. She was going to read it for herself while she waited for the church service to begin.

HOW ABOUT YOU? Do you get an "I've heard it all before" attitude when you listen to lessons on the real meaning of Christmas? Do you take Christ's birth for granted because you've heard about it so many times? The Bethlehem story should be familiar to you, but it should also be exciting each time you hear it. If Christ had not come, you would not have a Savior. Really think about the wonderful thing that happened long ago. Thank God for it.