“That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. , an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don't be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!’ , the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.’ the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.” – Luke 2:8-20
"Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout; he will not raise his voice in public. will not crush those who are weak, or quench the smallest hope, until he brings full justice with his final victory. And his name will be the hope of all the world." – Matthew 12:18-21
FOUR WAYS TO CELEBRATE MY HOPE THIS CHRISTMAS…
1. HAVE A TIME TO FOCUS ON JESUS
“They (the shepherds) ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.”
– Luke 2:16
““He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” – John 1:10-13
2. OPEN MY EYES TO THOSE HURTING AROUND ME
“Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.”” – Philippians 2:3-5
“It's criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor - what a blessing!” – Proverbs 14:21
3. PUT TOGETHER A BROKEN RELATIONSHIP
“So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” – Matthew 5:23-24
““Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” – Colossians 3:12-13
4. ENJOY GOD’S BLESSINGS
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” – Colossians 3:16-17
Memory Verse: “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
