Bible Studies

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The Gospels
Luke 2:1-20 - The Birth of Jesus
Key Verses: (MSG)

¹About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. ²This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. ⁴So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. ⁵He went with Mary, his fiancé, who was pregnant.

⁶While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

⁸There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. ⁹Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. ¹⁰The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: ¹¹A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master.

¹²This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

¹³At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: ¹⁴Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

¹⁵As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." ¹⁶They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. ¹⁷Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. ¹⁸All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

¹⁹Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. ²⁰The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

Points to Contemplate:

• What is your favorite part of the Christmas story? Is it the commonality of Joseph and Mary, who in the most extraordinary circumstances of human history, are simply living their lives as best as they can, doing what is asked of them, and following through with their responsibilities? Perhaps it is their courage to travel to a place far from family and friends? Or the faith to provide for a new born child even when finding shelter was seemingly hopeless? Are you inspired by the shepherds' experience? Do you wish you could have been there to hear the heavens erupt with song and praise? Do you recognize that this celebration happens every time God breaks into the heart of one of His chosen? Have you experienced a celebration when a friend or family member has suddenly become aware of the Good News of Christ Jesus? Did you sing with the angelic choir when this occurred?
  
  
• Do you have to "See" in order to "Believe?" Do you recognize that people have to experience the love of Christ before they believe in Him? The shepherds heard the good news, even with the heavens erupting with an angelic chorus and then ran to the manger to see for them selves. How can you help others "see" Christ? Once you tell them about His love and the salvation available through the grace of God, what steps can you take to help them experience it first hand?
  
  
• Are you "let(ting) loose, glorifying, and praising God for everything (you) have heard and seen?” Once the Good News of Christ has burst into your life and once this year's celebration of His birth is past, what are you going to do in response of His love for you? Are you going to go home to pack up the decorations and put your house back to its "normal" condition? Will your life remain the same, unchanged and unfocused? Or, will you be a shepherd, amazed by the new things that have happened in your life to the point you will sing songs of praise and tell the world of the Good News that God is with us in Christ Jesus?
  

Promises of the Gospel:

The glorious story of old has been told once again. And, once again, we find ourselves celebrating and rejoicing with the shepherds and angelic choirs. Christ has burst into our hearts and love is revealed. But the story does not end here. Christmas is not over after the Christmas trees are taken down and the decorations are packed away. The miracle of Christmas is that belief comes with seeing. As we return from the manger it is our job to tell the world of our experience. Our joy should captivate the world. Our praise to God should resound throughout the heavens like a heavenly chorus. When this occurs Christ is experienced. As our joy spreads, hearts are changed. God is experienced first hand. The world comes to know that He is with us, Immanuel. His kingdom has come and He reigns forever and ever. Join the Hallelujah chorus and rejoice. A Child is born and the world will never be the same.

FUMC Devotionals

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