Let’s Go!

GETTING STARTED

Several years ago, while anticipating the birth of our first grandchild, the miracle of birth and a new life seemed so fresh and real in our family. We knew that we would go to the hospital as soon as we got the call, and we had prepared a list of those to tell once our grandson was born. Today’s passage is also about a birth and how the news of it spread. Do not let the familiarity of this story take away from its beauty and wonder.

  • What important event in your life have you recently relished sharing with others?

READ THE WORD: LUKE 2:1-21 (ESV)

2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. Joseph and Mary traveled much later in her pregnancy than today’s doctors allow. Where did they go and why (vss. 3-5)?
  2. Reread this passage, putting yourself in the place of Joseph, then Mary, and then the shepherds. Imagine what each of them must have been feeling and thinking.
  3. Who visited the shepherds and what did he say to them (vss. 8-12)?
  4. Describe the responses of the angels and the shepherds to the birth of the Savior (vss. 14, 20). 
  5. What have you seen or heard recently that caused you to glorify and praise God? Consider how this good news has made a difference in your life.

RESPOND TO GOD

 When we got the call with the good news that our grandson was about to be born, our response was, “Let’s go!” The angels told of good news for all people: a Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born. It was more than information; it was an invitation. And the shepherds’ response was, “Let’s go!” Every day, Jesus shows us in different ways the good news of his love and mercy and asks us to join him. We have a choice of whether to stay where we are or to go to him in obedience and joy.

  • Spend time praising God for the gift of Jesus.
  • Pray for an obedient and joyful spirit when God asks you to “go.”