Why We'll Always Celebrate Christmas!
The Heart of Christmas
Thursday, December 11, 2003
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God who ministers to the whole world! I praise You for being concerned enough about a fallen humanity that You came to us in the form of Jesus, and gave Your own life that we may live forever! Fill me anew with Your Holy Spirit that I may minister faithfully today and every day, using the gifts and abilities You have given me to glorify You in every word I speak and every action I take. This I pray in Jesus’ name.
Bible Verses
Luke 2:8-20
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
15When 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.”
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Questions for Reflection
Today, we’re focusing on ministry as we turn again to Luke 2:8-20. Consider the characters involved in this first Christmas story and what ministry they offered first to each other, and then to others beyond the story as time passed. We know that Mary offered ministry to her Son, Jesus, until he reached maturity, and that He ultimately ministered to the whole world as He died on the cross for our sins. In what way did the others minister with continuing effect?
In what ways do we minister during the Christmas season to show others that we have understood the true meaning of Christmas?
Questions for Exploration
In what ways did the angels minister to the shepherds? (8-20)
How did the shepherds minister to Mary and Joseph? (8-20)
Who else ministered in today’s Scripture? (8-20)
Questions for Understanding
In what ways did Mary and Joseph minister to Jesus before his birth, and in the birth narrative we find in Luke 2:1-20?
What do we learn about ministry from the angels and the shepherds that will help us grow in our own understanding and carrying out of ministry?
Question for Application
What is one way you will minister to others today as a result of reading today’s Scripture?
Keeping Watch!
The shepherds vocation was basically “baby sitting.” They watched sheep day and night. They saw that the sheep had food and water, and they saw that the sheep were safe from attacking predators and thieves. The life may not have been exciting for the most part, but it was important—especially to the sheep. It’s interesting that Jesus would often refer to us as “sheep,” and to Himself as “The Good Shepherd.” Apparently the analogy was obvious to Him and certainly King David, who started life as a shepherd, saw the connection as well, given that his 23rd Psalm is all about God’s role as shepherd to our role as sheep. Interesting that throughout church history those who watched over the church have been known as pastors, which literally means shepherd. Ministry isn’t usually flashy or exciting, and it, too, often seems like “baby sitting,” as church leaders seek to watch over, protect, nurture and encourage the “flock” do growth in worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission. Sometimes we all want a little more excitement in our lives, or we want Christianity to be more exciting than it is. The reality is knowing Jesus IS exciting, and living for Him IS exciting, but the day to day details of that commitment may seem mundane when compared with the lives of those who have not given themselves to Him. As we seek to live as faithful “sheep” under the direction of the “Good Shepherd,” Jesus, let’s remember that sometimes shepherds and sheep alike are the first to experience God’s amazing news, love and truth! In fact, we always are!
To view other studies from the Why We Celebrate Christmas series, click here.