There is more to the Christmas than Santa Claus, presents or reindeer. Christmas story is really the best story ever told. The reason-it’s about the birth of Jesus, the savior of the world! So, here are three things your family needs to know this Christmas.
Lesson #1: Jesus Wasn’t Born in a Palace but Probably in a Barn
Luke 2:1-7 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
Think about how stinky that must have been. Jesus was born in a barn next to cows, donkeys, horses, and chickens. That doesn’t sound like a place for a baby. But where Jesus was born was all part of the plan. Jesus came into the world to be a humble servant, not a rich king. This was confusing for the Jewish people. They were waiting for their Savior to come and rescue them. They pictured Jesus to be like a fierce warrior who would kill the bad guys. But Jesus was coming as a different kind of Savior. Not as a king or a warrior, but as a humble servant. He wasn’t coming to kill the bad guys. He came to be killed by the bad guys in order to save the world. (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 53:3-7.)
Lesson #2: Jesus Came to Bring Good News and Great Joy
Christmas is full of joy, right? We get new toys and games. It’s the best! But that’s not why Jesus came. He came to bring a different kind of joy. And that’s better than any present under your tree. Jesus came to offer us a new life!
Luke 2:8-12 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
The Bible says we have this problem called sin that keeps us from having a relationship with God. So, Jesus came into the world to fix the problem! He came to die for our sins so that we could have a new life in him. This is the Good News! Jesus came to bring us a hope of a future in Heaven someday. Have you trusted in Jesus yet? If you haven’t, you can right now. (Philippians 4:4; Psalm 5:11; John 3:16.)
Lesson #3: Everyone Rejoiced When They Met Jesus
Luke 2:13-20 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
Think about exciting the birth of Jesus was. Did you have angels singing when you were born? Probably not. The people knew something special had happened and they wanted to check it out. They traveled long distances to get there. And they brought presents to honor this special baby. When they arrived, they were overjoyed to be in the presence of Jesus. They knew he was special and that he would bring hope and healing to the world.
So, this Christmas, remember what this story is really about. It’s all about Jesus!
