Preschool
Glory to God in the highest (Luke 2:14).
Christ’s Birth, Hope of the Ages
Memory Verses
Primary
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).
Junior
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Background Scripture: Luke 2:1-40
Lesson Scripture: Luke 2:6-20
Introduction
Throughout the centuries preceding the coming of Jesus to this earth, many prophecies were proclaimed regarding his coming. From the time that mankind fell into sin, God lovingly held out hope. When a father in Israel brought a lamb to the priest and put his hands on the head of that lamb, confessing his and his family’s sins, did he acknowledge that someday a Messiah would come and take their sins away? When the people communed together (Mal. 3:16), were they encouraging one another to not lose hope that the perfect Sacrifice was coming?
Today we can read the account of the humble birth of Jesus, the time of his preaching and working of his miracles, his arrest and witness before Pilate and Herod, and finally his crucifixion on a hill along a main road leading to Jerusalem. His resurrection and ascension completed his work on earth. Is it real to us that Jesus’s life and death are our only hope of salvation? May this lesson renew our appreciation for the life of Jesus.
Key Verse
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Lesson Scripture
Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Studying the Lesson
Approximately four hundred years had passed since the last prophet had spoken. The Romans, who had conquered most of the known world, ruled with cruelty, paganism, and suppression. In this environment, some sincere Jews were still anxiously waiting for a Redeemer.
In the silence and quietness of the night, Jesus was born in the humblest surroundings. God, the Creator of heaven and earth, chose not to have his Son born amidst luxury, grandeur, and majesty. In contrast, we have his humble birth recorded in detail so that in the centuries that followed, people have been inspired by his humble birth.
Christ’s birth may have been quiet and unnoticed on earth, but the response in heaven was awe-inspiring. Like water from a broken dam, the glory of God streamed out of heaven upon a darkened and demented world. Whether the angels were sent or whether they simply could not contain their joy is not known to us. What we do know is that they shared God’s love for humanity. Instead of focusing on the absence of Jesus in heaven, they rejoiced that salvation’s plan, so long foretold, was beginning to unfold. Was their love for fallen humanity so great that they, too, could not contain their joy that a Savior was born? In our imagination, we think of an army of angels praising God in harmonious and melodious splendor. As we, in our musings, replay that scene from centuries ago, we wonder if perhaps we will hear the angels sing that song once again when we reach heaven’s shore.
We do not know how many shepherds heard the angels. Likely the hills around Bethlehem could have accommodated quite a number of them. Perhaps they all gathered their flocks together at night for protection, so maybe it was a large group of shepherds who heard the angels. The shepherd’s spontaneous response is inspiring. They were watching their flocks when the angels appeared. Although their initial response was fear at the startling message, their hearts were ready to not only accept but also to believe the message that their Savior was born. As the shepherds shared this joy of the birth of their Savior with others, did the people believe the message? Did they go to the manger as well? Mary pondered the message of the shepherds in her heart.
Practical Truths for Today
Today as we celebrate the coming of our Savior, let us look beyond the details of his birth. We do not celebrate his birthday but his coming. The world around us may have a great display of lights, nativity scenes, or other rituals and customs. While we do not condemn efforts in magnifying the season, the joy and peace in our hearts gives Christmastime its true meaning. The real value in recognizing Jesus’s coming is found in our children becoming aware of Him as the Savior. Our own joy and thankfulness for his coming will influence their concept of what Christmas is about. By contrast, there are people, persuasions, and religions who do not recognize any savior. They only fear a higher power.
In the book of Esther, Mordecai encouraged the Jews to share with each other and give gifts to the poor when they were delivered from their enemies. Likewise, recognizing our own deliverance from this evil world will prompt us to share out of thankfulness for the blessings we have received from God. When we more fully understand the precious gift God gave to all people, we can give gifts in meaningful ways. Our hearts can overflow with love and touch others at this time of year as we give in a spirit of goodwill.
Now let us consider the hope we have in Christ and how He brought it. Jesus did not remain in the manger. He grew to manhood and ministered to the people around Him. He healed them, fed them, and taught them. His mission was to establish a relationship between God and man. His suffering and death on the cross were necessary to make this possible. The resurrection then established the hope we have of eternal life and a new world to live in that is forever free of corruption.
The people in Jesus’s time were desperate for deliverance from Roman oppression. Jesus taught that their hearts could be free even though they were subject to Roman rule. Can we understand that our hearts, too, can be free and our spirits rejoice despite our circumstances or that which adversely affects us? Psalm 23 speaks of God’s preparation in the presence of our enemies. When the hope that Christ brought is alive in our hearts, we can live a blessed life regardless of what life throws at us.
Seeing ourselves as hopeless or our life as hopeless is not from God but is a result of a pride-filled heart unwilling to surrender to God’s righteousness. However, when we let God judge our hearts, we will see our depravity and sinfulness. Only then do we realize our great need of a Savior. Sin separates from God, but Jesus’s shed blood washes away our sin. A vision of how God views us through Jesus’s redemptive work of salvation makes us understand that through Jesus we are worthy. God’s love and forgiveness enable us to confidently stand before Him with a living hope.
As the wise men came to worship the Christ child, the star that they followed gave them direction. The angel who came to the shepherds gave them direction. Jesus Christ came, with his life and teachings, to give us direction for making it home. Following the direction that Jesus gives us fills our lives with meaning. Life without purpose is hopeless, but the hope found in the gospel gives us purpose, confidence, fulfillment, and peace.
Questions
- Were the shepherds among those who were anxiously waiting for a Savior?
- Did God reveal the coming of the Savior to those who were expecting it?
- Did the shepherds and the wise men feel a special blessing as they worshiped Jesus?
Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).