3. The Savior Who Came to Us
Question 1:
When have you seen a decision by one person
positively impact others?
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Life is filled with decisions that can impact the rest of our lives, such as a job change or a move to another city. After serving one church for many years, my family and I answered God’s call on our lives to plant a church in another city. We struggled leaving a place where God had blessed our lives with an incredible church family, friends, ministry, and life. Leaving all this was hard.
Even as we answered God’s call, a pastor friend reached out to me. The Lord had called him years before to leave his hometown to plant a church. He told me how he had battled with the decision to move, but then he also shared an amazing perspective. God called his entire family, not just him. Years later, all his kids had come to faith in Jesus and were serving Jesus in that same city. I, too, can now say I have also seen my kids come to faith in Christ in our new city.
Jesus made a move too. He moved from heaven to earth, coming to us as a baby. His decision impacts all of us—for eternity!
THE POINT
Jesus came for our salvation.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Luke 2:4-7
4 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 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.
Anticipation of the coming Messiah had been steadily growing among the Jewish people. Living under the oppressive rule of the Romans only fueled that expectation. God had promised King David that “your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” (2 Sam. 7:16). Luke would later show how Jesus was in the lineage of David (Luke 3:23-38). God fulfilled His promise to David when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, although it was not the royal event most people would have expected, and few people knew of His birth.
Joseph’s connection to David led Mary and him to travel to Bethlehem. A Roman decree required Joseph to return to the town of his ancestors to be registered (Luke 2:1-2). David was closely connected to the city of Jerusalem since he established it as the capital and religious center for Israel, but David was born and raised in the small village of Bethlehem (1 Sam. 16:1-13).
For such an earth-changing event, we’re given few details about this momentous birth. While we might wish for more details, Luke was inspired to tell us exactly what we need to know: “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” (v. 7). Jesus was physically born, and He was born in humble circumstances.
Question 2:
What details about Jesus’ birth story are different
than what you would have expected for a king?
Mary and Joseph knew this was a miraculous birth because of the angels’ words to them (Matt. 1:20-21; Luke 1:26-37). We might wonder how Mary and Joseph felt about such a humble setting for the birth of God’s Son. We should recognize the powerful picture of humility that surrounded the birth of God’s Son. However, even if Jesus had been born in grand fashion in a palace with birth announcements going throughout the countryside, it still would have been a humbling thing for God to leave the majesty and glory of heaven to become like one of us. Yet in coming to earth, Jesus came through an incredibly humble set of circumstances. Jesus was of royal lineage, but he came for all people—the least to the greatest.
Luke 2:8-12
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Although the world might have missed the significance of the birth of Jesus, the angels in heaven certainly didn’t—and they made sure a small group of shepherds didn’t miss it either. An angel of the Lord appeared and told the shepherds, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (v. 11). As he made this announcement, the angel was joined by more angels: “a great company of the heavenly host” (v. 13). What an incredible experience for these shepherds to see and hear the skies filled with the praise of angels.
A few things stand out about this angelic announcement:
The announcement was terrifying. As the angel spoke “and the glory of the Lord shone around them,” Luke described them as “terrified.” The word literally means they feared a great fear! We surely can understand that anyone would be afraid if an angel suddenly appeared, but the angel’s first words to the panicked shepherds were, “Do not be afraid.” Although their fear was likely paralyzing, it turned into the kind of fear that leads to wonder and amazement. The first people who were told of the Messiah’s birth were lowly shepherds, not kings or religious leaders.
The announcement was comforting. Comfort would come in the angel’s opening call not to be afraid. The shepherds would receive even greater comfort as they heard “good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” These shepherds surely carried in their hearts the same longing and hope for God’s deliverance that all the people had been yearning for, and now that longing in their hearts was fulfilled: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
The announcement was inspiring. What started with one angel now multiplied to “a great company of the heavenly host.” In his vision of God’s throne, Daniel said, “Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him” (Dan. 7:10). God’s army of angels was now declaring the glory of God and peace on earth. If the shepherds had any doubts before this moment as to the significance of the angel’s announcement, all those doubts now had to be gone.
The angelic announcement was both amazing and terrifying … so simple yet so comforting … so powerful yet so inspiring.
Question 3:
What does it mean that Jesus’ birth would be good news of great joy for all the people?
Luke 2:16-20
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Question 4:
How has Jesus’ birth been good news in your life?
After such a once-in-a-lifetime experience, no wonder the shepherds exclaimed, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about” (Luke 2:15b). It’s also no surprise that “they hurried off” to see the very thing the angel proclaimed.
The shepherds found all things just as the angel had told them. As if the events surrounding Jesus’ birth weren’t exciting enough for Joseph and Mary, here came a group of shepherds bursting with excitement. The shepherds “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,” adding to the wonder of all the events since Gabriel first appeared to Mary (1:26-38).
After they told Joseph and Mary of the angelic announcement, the shepherds unashamedly shared what they had witnessed and heard from the angel, and “all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (v. 18). It wouldn’t be hard to connect the birth of this baby with the angels’ declaration of “on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (v. 14). This child, Jesus, would bring to us that which we could never give ourselves: peace.
This peace is peace with God, and though the people then did not know the full details of that peace, years later that peace would come through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Therein lies our hope.
Peace grounded in faith. The only way to receive this peace is by grace, through faith, in Christ alone. This peace cannot be earned (Eph. 2:8-9). Instead, we receive this peace as we trust in the death and resurrection of Christ. His work of salvation for us was the reason He came to earth as a baby!
Question 5:
What are some ways we can help others know that the gospel message is true?
A NATIVITY OF PRAISE
Create a kind of nativity set by writing words that describe that first Christmas night. One bubble has been filled in for you as an example. Then write a prayer thanking God for our first Christmas present: Jesus.
Ex: Awe-inspiring
My Prayer:
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
PHILIPPIANS 4:7
LIVE IT OUT
Jesus came for our salvation. Choose one of the following applications:
Surrender your life. Now is the time to put your faith and trust in Christ. If you haven’t already, make this the best Christmas ever; speak with a Christian friend or leader about your decision. [Refer to page 2 in this book for help.]
Seek God’s plan. God has a wonderful plan for your life. If you are placing your dreams above His plans, turn these expectations over to Him. Invite Him to make clear His path for your life.
Rest in your salvation. Trust Jesus to cover your past, protect your present, and secure your eternity. If you are struggling to accept peace in one of these areas, pray about it and speak to a trusted Christian friend.
Moving places is not easy for any of us. Surely it mustn’t have been for the Lord Jesus. Yet, He was willing to step from heaven to earth because of His great love for us. Let’s share that with everyone we know!
Teacher Notes:
Charlie Brown failed multiple times to direct the Christmas play and find a suitable Christmas tree, and how he is mocked and rejected by the other kids. State that with only his friend Linus at his side, Charlie Brown cried out in exasperation,
“Isn’t
there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!”
In
response, Linus recites the Nativity story from the Gospel of Luke 2:8-14.
“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
What
holiday would you say is most celebrated?
In a Harris poll: Christmas – 46% / Thanksgiving – 19% / Halloween – 9%
Independence
Day – 5% / Easter – 3%
Why is
Christmas so widely celebrated?
What’s
not to love? There are parties, food, and delicacies that we savor this time of
year, gathering of families, music, and of course, the gifts. We love the
annual traditions. And let’s not forget The Hallmark Christmas movies!
When
did Christmas become more about Jesus than all the commercialism?
For
Christians who bemoan the way so many celebrate the holiday without
acknowledging the birth of Christ, the holiday gives us a golden opportunity to
lift up the purpose of Christmas. It’s not about the gifts, mistletoe, and
Santa Claus: it’s about Jesus!
As
much as we love Christmas, Jesus didn’t come to earth to give us Christmas. He
came to give us Easter.
· Remember
the Harris poll: Christmas – 46% / Thanksgiving – 19% / Halloween – 9% /
Independence Day – 5% / Easter – 3%
Without the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, Christmas is pointless. Yes, Christmas is the celebration of God coming to earth, but to what end? His mission from day one was to be a human just like us (but without sin), reveal God to us, die as the sinless, perfect sacrifice for our sins, and then rise again to conquer death and give us eternal life. That’s worth celebrating! Christmas is only the beginning. Easter is the climax!
Let's read...
Luke
2:8-14
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 Savior, 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.
Why is
the angelic visit to the shepherds a significant event in the story?
What are
good tidings?
- Good
tidings of great joy. Good tidings, meaning “good news,” is derived from the
Greek word euagglizo, from which we get our English word evangelize. The angel
was an evangelist in the truest sense of the word: he was declaring joyous,
good news.
What
is the significance of the three titles given to the baby?
· He is
a Savior, which is Christ (Messiah) and the Lord. The three titles the angel applies to Jesus
are important. Jesus is the Savior who delivers us from sin and death. He is
the human Messiah (or Christ) who fulfills the Law and the Prophets, showing
that God is faithful. And He is the divine Lord who has entered our world: the
Almighty has taken on human flesh; God and man have been fused together in an
indivisible, eternal bond; God is truly with us.
How
would the shepherds know they had found the right newborn?
- Ye
shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. “You will find a baby
wrapped tightly in cloth” (CSB). The next element would be unusual. The angel
added that he would be lying in a manger or “feeding trough.”
We are
introduced to the incarnation in the Christmas story.
What
is the meaning of the incarnation?
· The
word incarnation means “the act of being made flesh.”
What
was the purpose of the incarnation?
The
Son of God came in the flesh to be the Savior of mankind.
- It was necessary to be born “under the law” (Galatians 4:4). All of us have failed to fulfill God’s Law. Christ came in the flesh, under the Law, to fulfill the Law on our behalf (Matthew 5:17; Galatians 4:5).
- It was
necessary for the Savior to shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews
9:22). A blood sacrifice, of course, requires a body of flesh and blood. And
this was God’s plan for the Incarnation: “When Christ came into the world, he
said: ‘Sacrifice and offering [under the Old Covenant] you did not desire, but
a body you prepared for me’” (Hebrews 10:5). Without the Incarnation, Christ
could not really die, and the cross is meaningless.
Close: In Texas in 1987, a toddler by the name of Jessica McClure fell into an eight-inch well casing. Down she went, becoming stuck twenty-two feet below ground. Once people discovered that “Baby Jessica” was in the well, they took immediate action. They went down to where she was and got her. They did whatever it took. Rescuers worked nonstop for 58 hours to free her.
In Genesis,
Adam and Eve fell down a dark hole of sin and they dragged all humanity with
them. What did God do? He came down to where we were and got us.
That’s
what Christmas is all about — God’s coming down to rescue us, to do whatever it
took to deliver us from sure death.
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