Day Two

Scripture: LUKE 2:1-21.  J.B. page 1563.\

Observation.  What is the greatest news you have ever received?  Was it news about your family?  Was it your dad getting a new job?  Was it a family member that was ok after a car wreck or hospital stay? 

When I think about the Christmas story I think about this very first Christmas night!  The angel declares this great news to shepherds, sort of the low class peeps of their day.

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

After the shepherds raced to see Jesus, they told the Good News to others around them.

Application.  This is GREAT NEWS!!!  This news is for you and me over 2000 years later.  This is God’s story being played out.  And we are invited to not only see but to surrender our lives and join God’s story.

The Gospel means Good News.  And the Good News is “not good advice about how to live; it is good news about what God has done”. (Greear, Gospel, page 222).

God has done it.  It is not about what we have to do.  But what God has ALREADY DONE FOR US.  The Gospel is good news because you do not have to earn God’s favor.  He GIVES it.  You have to trust Him.  Please, please, please do not get so familiar with the Christmas story that you miss what God has done for YOU!  This is the greatest news of all.

Prayer.  God, You are the giver of all good things.  Today, I am thankful for ______________.  But thank you most of all for the news the angel declared to the shepherds that first Christmas.  Help me to be like the shepherds and tell all those around me what Jesus has done.