CENTRAL THOUGHT

Celebrating the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

HYMN: JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD IS COME

TEXT: Luke 2:1-20

INTRODUCTION

The birth of Jesus Christ is the essence of the Christmas celebration. Ironically, many people celebrate Christmas without recourse to the significance of the celebration. In other words, many celebrate the birth of whom they do not know.

Worse still they are not even willing to consider the purpose of the celebration or how it affects their personal life, even when someone tells them. To some, Christmas is just an annual Christian festival, an opportunity to wine and dine.

This study will help us look beyond the glamor of the season and get hold of the essence of the birth of Jesus Christ.

LESSON OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study are:

1. Understand God’s ability to fulfill all His promises.
2. Understand Christ’s humble nature.
3. Understand the purpose of Christ’s birth.
4. Learn what is expected of Christians at the season of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

  BIBLE TRUTH

The decree of Caesar Augustus went out by the will of God in order to fulfill His plan to bring His son into the world. In the garden of Eden, God made a promise that the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent and this was accomplished in the birth of Jesus Christ. In Micah 5:2, the Prophet predicted that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from Bethlehem in the city of David. At the time of the decree, Mary whom God ordained to give birth to Jesus Christ was living outside Bethlehem with Joseph her espoused husband, and she was already pregnant of the child. Caesar’s decree directed everyone to go back to his home town for registration.

Q1B. “THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM IN THE INN”. WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US?

Lk.2:7b

When all the citizens of Bethlehem returned, accommodations reserved for them were fully occupied and Mary and Joseph could not be accommodated and the time for the birth of Mary’s child was due, so there was no room for them to stay. Eventually the child was born in a manger because “There was no room in the inn”. This teaches us that God’s purposes and plans must always be accomplished with or without human provision.

God is all sufficient. There is no limitation with Him.

He is able to do whatever He says He will do. We should therefore learn to believe and trust Him to accomplish those things He has promised us. He is trust worthy and faithful to see us through all our challenges

Q2. DISCUSS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST’S BIRTH IN HUMBLE SURROUNDINGS.

Christ was born in a manger- a stall for feeding cattle. The prophesy in Isaiah 42:1-3 described the Messiah as one who “shall not cry nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall He not break and the smoking flax shall he not quench” “for He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness and when he shall see Him, there is no beauty that we shall desire Him”. (Is 53:2) This refers to the unexpected nature of His features, as from unlikely soil, without anything spectacular or stately to signal His identity as the King. A humble environment is typical of the lifestyle of anyone so described. If Christ was born in an environment of dignity and great honor, it would be difficult to believe that He is the Messiah promised by God with reference to the prophesies. The humble environment signified a

lifestyle of humility and this was in consonance with the prophesy concerning Him.

Q3A. WHO WERE THE FIRST TO RECEIVE THE GOOD NEWS OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST AND WHY? Lk.2:8-9; 1Cor.1:27

The shepherds who were guarding their flocks by night, were the first to receive the good news of the birth of Christ, the Messiah. God chose to notify them first, about the birth of the Messiah. Isaiah 40:11 states the functions of the Messiah to include that of a shepherd who would feed his flock, carry the lamps in his arms, holding them close to his heart, and gently leading the mother sheep with their young ones. Christ also declared himself the good shepherd (Jn.10:11) who sacrifices his life for the sheep. Furthermore, the shepherds are people of humble character as we see them in their occupation of tending their sheep; and Christ was born in a like environment.

Q3B. HOW DID THE ANGEL DESCRIBE THE BIRTH AND PERSON OF JESUS TO THE SHEPHERDS? Lk.2:10-14

When the angel appeared to the shepherds, they were terrified at the appearance of the angel and the radiance of God’s glory that surrounded them. The angel comforted and encouraged them not to fear, and described the message he brought to them ( the birth of Christ) as good news that will be of great joy to all people.

He described Jesus as “a Savior which is Christ the Lord”.

Q3C. WHAT LESSONS DO WE LEARN FROM THESE REVELATIONS?

There are lots of lessons to learn from the revelations of these events.

-God’s word never fails- Gen.3:15.

-God is faithful to His promises-Lk.1:13;2:26-28, &31.

-God can use human or natural events to accomplish His purpose-Lk.2:1-6

-God has set time for everything-Mic 5:2; Lk.2:1-6

-God is a patient God- Gen.3:15; Lk. 2:6-7.

God’s word is reliable and He can be trusted to do what He said He will do, no matter the seeming time lag, oppositions or discouraging turn of events. If we can continue to believe, trust Him and remain obedient to His words, we will surely sing the songs of victory at the end.

Q4. COMMENT ON HOW THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE RESPONDED TO THE NEWS OF CHRIST’S BIRTH:

a) Wise men: Matt.2:1, 9-12 When Christ was born in Bethlehem, His star appeared in the sky, and some astrologers from the east who were called wise men were able to interpret the star as a sign of the birth of the King of the Jews. (Matt.2:2). They immediately set out to search for the new-born King. They went to King Herod who told them to go to Bethlehem to search for Him, and if they found Him, they should bring him words so he can equally go and worship him. The wise men left for Bethlehem and searched diligently until they found Him, worshipped Him and gave Him gifts

(b). King Herod: Matt.2:3-8 When King Herod received the news of the birth of Jesus from the wise men, he was troubled. He saw his position as King, being threatened. He immediately summoned the chief priest and the scribes and inquired of them where Christ was to be born. He was told Christ would be born in Bethlehem. He secretly communed with the wise men to find out the time the star appeared. He requested them to bring him words, when they find Him. When he discovered that the wise men never came back, he became so angry and sent his soldiers to Bethlehem, with an order to kill all male children who were born two years and below, according to the determination of words of the wise men. Unfortunately for him, Jesus left Bethlehem before the soldiers arrived, as Joseph and Mary had earlier been warned by God to move the child to Egypt because Herod sort His life. So innocent male children were destroyed by King Herod in an attempt to kill Jesus.

Q5. IDENTIFY FROM THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES THE MAIN PURPOSE OF CHRIST’S BIRTH. Jn. 1:14, 17-18; 1Tim. 2:5; 1 Jn. 1: 17-18.

At creation God intended that man, who was created in the image and likeness of God, would live forever.

Unfortunately for man, he turned himself God’s enemy by disobeying His command, at the instance of Satan the devil. Consequently, man became subject to eternal destruction. But God in His love decided to save man from the impeding calamity. God therefore, in same place of incidence, promised to send someone who would redeem man from his sin. The seed of the woman who would bruise the head of Satan- Jesus Christ the Messiah, who will undo what Satan had done. So, when Jesus was crucified, He paid the price for the remission of the sin of man. Have your sins been remitted by Jesus? The word of God declares that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God “ but “as many as received Him to them He gave power to become the sons of God”. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life but he who does not believe in Jesus Christ shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him (Jn.3:36). Why not believe and receive Him now and be saved.

Q6A. IDENTIFY AND COMMENT ON THE GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE SHEPHERDS. Lk. 2: 15-20.

There are three things the shepherds did which can be considered exemplary. The first is that they did not consider the message of the angel as just one of the usual messages that are received from time to time, instead they felt there was need to verify and ascertain the reality of the message, so they went to Bethlehem to see the new-born King. The second is that, when they saw the child, they gave him gifts. The third that, when they left the scene, they did not keep the good news to themselves, instead, as eye witnesses, they decided to pass the message and what they saw to everyone. We should emulate the examples of the shepherds. There is need to, always verify from the scriptures, the messages we

hear. It equally good for us to imbibe the example of the shepherds who saw the child and gave him gifts. We should always learn to share what we have with others. Lastly, we should make it a habit to witness for Jesus where ever we find ourselves.

Q6B. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF CHRISTIANS AT THIS SEASON OF CELEBRATION OF CHRIST BIRTH?

Christians should see the season of the celebration of the birth of Christ was an opportunity to tell the world whom Christ is and the purpose of His birth. The obvious is that not all who celebrate the birth of Christ know whom He is to them.

The Christian is therefore expected to seize the golden opportunity to let people know the person of Jesus Christ and go ahead to receive Him as their personal lord and Savior.

DAILY LIVING APPLICATION

Christ is our life, so reflection on His birth, death and resurrection should be at the front burner of our daily life.

This is practical demonstration of God’s love towards us. If we love Him, the onus lies on us to confess Him at all times.

MEMORY VERSE

Matt. 1:21

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins”.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

Monday: Christ, our hope of glory. Col.1: 26-28; Rom. 8:9-11.

Tuesday: God’s love. John 3:16-18; Rom.5: 8; 8:32; 1 Jn. 4:9-10.

Wednesday: The faithfulness of God. 1 Cor. 1:4-9; 10:19;

Thursday: Christ the rock of God . Deut.32:4; 1Cor. 10:4; Is. 8:4

Friday: Christ, God’s incarnate. John 1:1-4; Jn 5:20

Saturday: Christ the king of kings. Rev.19;16; Dan.2:47