Suggested Date: December 23rd
Once the angels finished their message, the shepherds just had to go and see for themselves.
Wouldn’t you?
Scripture: Luke 2:15-20
15 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.”
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.
digging deeper
1. Is this a story you have read before? What kinds of emotions or memories do you associate with it?
2. How did the shepherds respond to the angels?
3. What did the shepherds do after seeing the baby? What was their message?
4. How did Mary react, and why do you think this is mentioned here?
wrap-up
After the baby was born, everything went back to a kind of normal. The shepherds went back to their shepherding, the wise men returned to their country, Mary and Joseph got to work caring for a totally dependent child. But this was only the beginning. While it may have felt like things went back to everyday normal, the Incarnation (that God stepped into our world as a man) changed everything, forever.
respond in worship
“Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born
for this!
He has opened the heavenly door,
And man is blest forevermore.”
respond in prayer
Pray for everyone who might be traveling this week to visit family or friends. Pray for peaceful and
loving relationships among family as people gather together. Pray that you can be a light for Jesus as you interact with family and friends this week.