Embracing the Humble Love of Christmas

 

Summary

Merry Christmas to all gathered here today. As we come together in this full house, we are reminded of the warmth and love that binds us as a community. It is a joy to welcome each of you, especially our guests and visitors. This evening, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the moment when God chose to meet humanity in the most humble and intimate way. The story of Jesus' birth is not just a historical event; it is the story of how God chose to meet us, to be with us, and to transform our lives.

The Gospel of Luke recounts the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room at the inn. This humble beginning is a profound statement of God's character and intentions. God chose to enter the world not with power and might, but in vulnerability and humility. This is a God who desires to be with us, to walk alongside us, and to share in our joys and sorrows.

As we reflect on the story of Jesus' birth, we are invited to consider our own stories of meeting God. Just as couples have unique stories of how they met, each of us has a personal story of encountering God. Whether through family traditions, moments in nature, or the quiet whisper of the Spirit, God meets us in ways that are deeply personal and transformative.

Christmas is a reminder that God is for us, not against us. God comes to heal, to save, and to bring joy to all people. The angels' announcement to the shepherds was a message of good news for everyone, a declaration that God's love is inclusive and unconditional. In a world often marked by division and darkness, Christmas shines as a beacon of hope and love.

This Christmas Eve, let us embrace the wonder of meeting Jesus anew. Like Mary, let us ponder his love in our hearts. Like the shepherds, let us go forth in joy and share the story of how we met God. May this story of love and hope transform us and inspire us to live as people who reflect God's love to the world.

Key Takeaways

- The story of Jesus' birth is a profound revelation of God's character, showing us a God who chooses humility and vulnerability to meet us where we are. This is a God who desires a personal relationship with each of us, inviting us to walk with Him in our daily lives. [01:03:26]

- Each of us has a unique story of how we met God, whether through family, nature, or personal experiences. These stories are important as they reveal the personal and transformative nature of God's love in our lives. [01:06:44]

- Christmas is a reminder that God is for all people, not against them. The message of Jesus' birth is one of inclusion, healing, and joy for everyone, regardless of their circumstances or background. [01:08:07]

- In times of difficulty and distress, God is with us, offering comfort and companionship. The promise of Christmas is that we are never alone, as God is present with us in every moment of our lives. [01:09:06]

- Meeting Jesus is a transformative experience that invites us to share His love and joy with others. Like the shepherds, we are called to go forth and tell the story of how we met God, spreading the message of hope and love to the world. [01:09:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:33] - Greeting and Announcements
[35:46] - Children's Message
[54:31] - Gospel Reading: Luke 2
[57:04] - The Birth of Jesus
[58:13] - The Shepherds' Story
[59:10] - Stories of Meeting
[01:00:04] - Personal Stories of Meeting God
[01:01:16] - The Significance of Details
[01:03:26] - God Meets Us in Humility
[01:05:18] - The Story of God and Humanity
[01:06:00] - Personal Reflections on Meeting God
[01:07:19] - Christmas as an Introduction to God
[01:08:07] - God's Love for All
[01:09:06] - Embracing Jesus Anew

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Luke 2:1-20: The story of Jesus' birth, including the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus in a manger, and the announcement to the shepherds.

#### Observation Questions
1. What details from the Gospel of Luke highlight the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth? How do these details reflect God's character? [54:31]
2. How did the shepherds react to the angel's announcement, and what actions did they take afterward? [57:04]
3. What role do the angels play in the story of Jesus' birth, and what message do they bring to the shepherds? [57:04]
4. How does Mary respond to the events surrounding Jesus' birth, and what does this reveal about her character? [58:13]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the humble setting of Jesus' birth tell us about God's approach to meeting humanity? How does this contrast with human expectations of power and authority? [01:03:26]
2. In what ways does the story of Jesus' birth invite individuals to reflect on their personal encounters with God? How might these stories differ from person to person? [01:06:00]
3. How does the message of the angels to the shepherds emphasize the inclusivity of God's love? What implications does this have for how we view others? [01:08:07]
4. What significance does the sermon place on the personal stories of meeting God, and how do these stories contribute to one's faith journey? [01:06:44]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own story of meeting God. How did it happen, and what impact has it had on your life? Consider sharing this story with someone this week. [01:06:00]
2. The sermon emphasizes God's humility and vulnerability. How can you embody these traits in your interactions with others, especially during the Christmas season? [01:03:26]
3. In what ways can you, like the shepherds, share the good news of Jesus' birth with those around you? Identify one person you can share this message with this week. [01:09:44]
4. How can you make room in your life to meet Jesus anew this Christmas? What specific practices or changes can you implement to deepen your relationship with Him? [01:09:06]
5. Consider the inclusivity of God's love as highlighted in the sermon. How can you extend this love to someone who feels marginalized or excluded? [01:08:07]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in a moment of difficulty or distress. How did this experience shape your understanding of God's companionship? [01:09:06]
7. Like Mary, how can you treasure and ponder the love of Jesus in your heart this season? What specific steps can you take to cultivate a heart of reflection and gratitude? [01:09:44]

Devotional

Day 1: God Meets Us in Humility
The story of Jesus' birth is a profound revelation of God's character, showing us a God who chooses humility and vulnerability to meet us where we are. This is a God who desires a personal relationship with each of us, inviting us to walk with Him in our daily lives. The birth of Jesus in a manger, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke, is a testament to God's choice to enter the world not with power and might, but in vulnerability and humility. This humble beginning is a profound statement of God's character and intentions. God chose to enter the world not with power and might, but in vulnerability and humility. This is a God who desires to be with us, to walk alongside us, and to share in our joys and sorrows. [01:03:26]

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to embrace humility to allow God to meet you where you are today?


Day 2: Personal Stories of Encountering God
Each of us has a unique story of how we met God, whether through family, nature, or personal experiences. These stories are important as they reveal the personal and transformative nature of God's love in our lives. Just as couples have unique stories of how they met, each of us has a personal story of encountering God. Whether through family traditions, moments in nature, or the quiet whisper of the Spirit, God meets us in ways that are deeply personal and transformative. These encounters are not just moments in time but are ongoing invitations to deepen our relationship with God. [01:06:44]

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name." (Malachi 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a specific moment when you felt God's presence in your life. How can you share this story with someone who might need encouragement today?


Day 3: God's Inclusive Love
Christmas is a reminder that God is for all people, not against them. The message of Jesus' birth is one of inclusion, healing, and joy for everyone, regardless of their circumstances or background. The angels' announcement to the shepherds was a message of good news for everyone, a declaration that God's love is inclusive and unconditional. In a world often marked by division and darkness, Christmas shines as a beacon of hope and love. This message of inclusion challenges us to reflect God's love to all people, embracing diversity and extending grace to those around us. [01:08:07]

"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26-28, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life might feel excluded or marginalized? How can you extend God's inclusive love to them today?


Day 4: God's Presence in Difficult Times
In times of difficulty and distress, God is with us, offering comfort and companionship. The promise of Christmas is that we are never alone, as God is present with us in every moment of our lives. This assurance is a source of strength and hope, reminding us that God walks with us through every trial and challenge. The story of Jesus' birth is a testament to God's desire to be with us, to share in our joys and sorrows, and to offer us peace in the midst of life's storms. [01:09:06]

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are experiencing difficulty? How can you invite God's presence into this situation today?


Day 5: Sharing the Story of Meeting God
Meeting Jesus is a transformative experience that invites us to share His love and joy with others. Like the shepherds, we are called to go forth and tell the story of how we met God, spreading the message of hope and love to the world. This call to share our stories is an invitation to participate in God's mission of love and redemption. As we embrace the wonder of meeting Jesus anew, we are inspired to live as people who reflect God's love to the world, bringing light to places of darkness and hope to those in despair. [01:09:44]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the story of how you met God? How can you share this story with them in a way that reflects God's love and hope?

Quotes


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Merry Christmas. You may be seated. Welcome to worship. I hope you all love each other. You are crowded in here very tightly. We're glad that you all are here. A special welcome to guests and family and visitors who are coming to worship. So glad that you chose to worship here at First Lutheran, and we hope you'll come again and worship with us throughout the year. [00:33:33]

In those days, a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged, and who was expecting a child. [00:54:31]

But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy, for all the people. To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you. You will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. [00:57:04]

Tonight, we gather to tell the story again of how we met our Savior, of how we met our God, how humanity and God got together. And there is magic in this story too. You might even try to tell it from memory tomorrow before you open, any of the presents. Tell the story of how God and humanity got together. See what details you can remember. [01:00:38]

We believe that Jesus is God, part of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that God chose to fully reveal himself in the person of Jesus, to introduce himself to the world in the person of Jesus, born at Christmas. We call Jesus Emmanuel, which means God with us. And when God comes to meet us, he comes in a small package to a typical young couple. [01:02:36]

God comes to meet us by trusting a couple of teenagers to make decisions about their firstborn child. They wrapped him in a blanket, and he was wrapped in a blanket, and he was wrapped in a blanket, and bands of cloth. They laid him in a feeding trough. They were just making do, trying to figure it out as they went along. [01:03:17]

God comes asking for our help he comes on our terms not on his god comes to us without any obvious power or authority he comes to us in humility and lowliness god meets us this way so that we might welcome him into our lives you know how this works when you meet a child what do you do you bend down you get on their level you soften your voice you try to let them know that you're not a threat that you're a safe person that they can talk to you give them space that's what god does you know how this works when you meet a child what do you do you bend down you get on their level he bends down to our level even lower than us coming as a baby because god wants to actually be in our lives that's what god wants god wants to start a relationship with us to begin a life with each of us the story of how god meets this world is the story of god giving himself to us he has intentions to save us and to heal the world us and to bring peace to our divisions. [01:03:52]

There is a story of how God met humanity that we tell tonight. A silent night, right away in a manger, a little town of Bethlehem. But then there is the story of your meeting God, of your own personal relationship with God. How does that story go? How did you meet God? How did you get together? [01:05:33]

I remember when my grandmother would visit us over the Christmas holidays and she would tuck us in at night. And before she did, she taught me how to kneel at my bed and say prayers. And she introduced me to God that way. Is that how you met God? Was it through God's creation? Is that how you got to know him? [01:06:42]

We get bad ideas about God. If you thought God was judgmental or angry or quick and eager to punish, that's not who God is. Let Christmas be. Christmas be your introduction to who God is. God is for people, not against them. God includes everyone. He doesn't exclude. [01:07:24]

When the angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, they said, I bring you good news of great joy for all the people. Jesus is for all the people. God is for everyone. Christmas is for the world. For the world to know that darkness does not last, it will not win. For the world to know that God loves everyone. No exceptions. [01:08:07]

Each of us meets Jesus in our own way. We each have our story to tell. Some of us find him in the quiet, reflective moments of our lives. Others encounter him in ecstatic moments of profound revelation and joy. However we meet him, the important thing is that we do indeed meet him, meet God, and allow his presence to transform us. [01:09:11]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?