Christmas: The angels bring good news of great joy (Luke 2:4-20) – TNCC

21st March 2013

Last week we learned about how, 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah already told the people of Israel about the coming King.
Today, we fast forward to the day when Jesus — God the Son — came to earth as a tiny, helpless baby.
This long-awaited Savior — the Forever King — has been born in the sleepy little town of Bethlehem.
Let’s read together Luke 2:4-20

Luke 2:4-20 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Song: Away in the Manger

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s 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. 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. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Two thousand years ago, the angels invited the shepherds to meet this newborn king. The shepherds accepted the invitation: laying down their staffs and leaving their flocks behind. They knew that what awaited them was more important than anything they were leaving. They went to see a baby lying in a manger, born to give His life for the world.
Today, we are given a similar invitation to meet Jesus. This time to see a Risen Saviour, who died on the cross for our sins and who rose again, victorious over death!
Jesus is the reason for Christmas — He is the most important present of all! Jesus came to give us life, hope and joy. He came to give us victory over sin and death. He came to give us good news of great joy!
The Holy Spirit calls to us to meet Jesus. Let us go!
Give kids opportunity to accept Jesus into their hearts. Pray with them.

3. ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS

Memory Verse: Luke 2:11-12 Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”