Sunday Morning First Service | A Journey to the Manger #2
Devotional
Day 1: Small place, great promise—Bethlehem and God’s plan
Bethlehem looked insignificant, yet God chose it to cradle a King. In the same way, what feels small or hidden in your life can become the very place God brings His promise to life. You may not see the full map, but He already holds the path and the purpose. Let your heart open to the quiet ways God works through ordinary moments. Trust that His ancient faithfulness is at work in your present steps [19:25]
Micah 5:2 — “Bethlehem, though you sit among Judah’s smaller towns, from you will come the ruler chosen by God, whose origin reaches back into ages long before.”
Reflection: Where do you feel overlooked right now, and what is one simple act of faith you can take this week to welcome God’s quiet work there?
Day 2: Good news for ordinary people—shepherds first
God announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds, people who were unnoticed by most but fully seen by Him. Joy burst into a normal night, reminding us that grace is not reserved for the impressive but offered to everyone. If you have felt too ordinary to be loved by God, the angels’ song answers you with peace. Let worship rise from your everyday, just as it did from the hillside. Receive the joy that comes looking for you right where you are [29:29]
Luke 2:8–14 — “While shepherds kept watch at night, an angel appeared and God’s brightness surrounded them. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the messenger said, ‘I’m bringing good news that will thrill every heart: today in David’s town a Savior, the Messiah, is born for you. You’ll find Him as a baby, wrapped and lying in a manger.’ Then heaven’s army filled the sky, praising God: ‘Glory to God above, and peace on earth to those He kindly favors.’”
Reflection: Who in your world might feel unseen, and what is one small, joyful way you could bring the good news near to them this week?
Day 3: Light the night—welcome Jesus into your home
A single candle can push back a roomful of darkness, and Jesus is the truest Light who enters our homes and hearts. Welcoming Him is not complicated; it is a simple yes that turns on hope in the quiet corners. Let His light steady your anxieties and soften your words at the table and in the hallway. Consider a nightly moment to pause, breathe, and invite Him to shine. Open your door to the Light that never goes out [38:47]
John 1:9–12 — “The true Light that illuminates every person was coming into the world. He stepped into His own world, yet many did not recognize Him. But to all who received Him and trusted His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
Reflection: What is one specific place in your home that feels tense or shadowed, and how could you invite Jesus’ light there this week—perhaps through prayer, a blessing, or a changed habit?
Day 4: Bring your gifts—time, talent, and treasure
The Father smiles when His children give, not because He needs riches, but because generosity grows our hearts. The magi brought costly treasures; we bring our calendars, our skills, our presence, and our resources. Each offered gift becomes worship when laid at Jesus’ feet. Reflect on what you’ve given this year and where He may be inviting fresh surrender. Let your offering today be both grateful and joyful [47:34]
Matthew 2:10–11 — “Seeing the star stop, the travelers overflowed with joy. They entered the place, found the child with Mary, bowed low in worship, and opened their chests to present gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Reflection: What is one concrete gift—an hour of service, a specific skill, or a set amount of resources—you can offer to Jesus this week, and when will you present it?
Day 5: Carry Jesus into your week and community
Christmas is not a moment to admire but a Savior to carry into ordinary days. Let your conversations, work, and rest become places where His name is honored and His kindness is made visible. Community grows when we share life, pray together, and keep showing up with grace. Don’t leave joy at the door of a service; walk it into your Monday and beyond. Live this week as a grateful bearer of Christ’s presence [59:46]
Colossians 3:17 — “In whatever you do—word or deed—do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Reflection: What regular moment in your week—your commute, lunch break, or evening routine—could you intentionally reframe as a simple practice of carrying Jesus’ presence, and what will that practice be?
Sermon Summary
Micah’s promise in chapter 5 reminds us that God chooses small places and unexpected people to bring about His purposes. Bethlehem was overlooked, yet from there came the Ruler who would shepherd His people. That’s the heartbeat of today: in a world that measures worth by size and visibility, God does His best work in what looks small. Mary and Joseph didn’t have all the answers, but God had a plan, and He still does for us—even when the journey feels long and unclear. We began by lifting our voices—O Little Town—to name that holy paradox: heaven’s majesty arriving in humility.
I loved watching our kids lead us—preschoolers, elementary, and youth—because it paints the same truth we find in the nativity. God entrusted the first announcement to ordinary shepherds, and He still entrusts His joy to ordinary people who listen and say yes. With candles in our hands during Silent Night, we welcomed Jesus not only into our lives but into our homes, asking His light to fill our ordinary rooms, our broken places, and our everyday decisions.
We practiced worship with our giving today—especially seeing the children bring their coins. It wasn’t about the amount; it was about shaping hearts to trust and delight in God. We reflected with We Three Kings on the gifts we’ve brought to Jesus this year—our time, talents, and treasure—recognizing that the greatest gifts flow from surrender and love. I believe the Father really does smile when we bring Him what we have, even if it feels small. That smile is not payment for performance; it’s the delight of a Father receiving the heart of His child.
And then we lingered together as family—hospitality, food, crafts, conversation—because Emmanuel calls us into communion, not just a moment. As you go, carry Jesus into your week. Let the light you held become the light you keep: in how you speak, serve, forgive, and give. The King who came to Bethlehem comes again to your Bethlehem—the small places of your life—with hope, joy, and peace.
Key Takeaways
1. Small places hold God’s purposes God chose Bethlehem, small and overlooked, to host His arrival. That means your hidden obedience and quiet faithfulness are not wasted—they are the very places God loves to work. When the road feels uncertain, don’t despise the small; attend to it with expectancy. God meets us in the ordinary and leads us forward step by step. [19:25]
2. God entrusts news to ordinary people The first announcement came to shepherds, not to palaces or platforms. God still whispers His joy to the willing, not merely the influential. Pay attention to the fields you already tend—work, family, neighborhood—because heaven’s song often lands there first. Humility doesn’t limit your usefulness; it increases your availability. [29:29]
3. Welcome the Light into your home Lighting candles was more than a tradition; it was an invitation for Christ to inhabit real spaces—kitchen tables, late-night worries, strained relationships. Let His presence interpret your days and interrupt your habits. Ask where you’ve kept a room dark, and switch on the light by simple, courageous obedience. Illumination is not abstract; it’s lived in rooms and routines. [38:47]
4. Giving forms hearts and worship Watching children give taught us that giving is not about impressing God but entrusting ourselves to Him. Each gift loosens our grip and widens our joy, training love to move from feeling to action. The Father is pleased not by the size of the gift but by the surrender it represents. Let generosity become your daily liturgy. [47:34]
5. Bring your best gifts to Jesus Reflect on what you’ve brought this year—attention, service, resources—and ask what love looks like next. The Magi didn’t arrive empty-handed, and neither should we: our gifts declare what we value most. Offer what costs you, and you will find freedom following close behind. Hold nothing back from the One who held nothing back from you. [48:05]
In Micah 5:2, what contrast is made between Bethlehem’s smallness and the greatness of the ruler who will come from it?
Who received the birth announcement first in the story highlighted, and what kind of people were they? “I chose shepherds first, ordinary people, to hear the good news.” [29:29]
What were people asked to do with the candles, and what did that action symbolize? “Turn that light on… welcoming Jesus into your life, but also into your home.” [38:47]
Who was invited to participate in the giving moment, and how was that moment framed? “We’ve… invited all of our kids… to bring their change… Adults… can bring your gifts to the altar.” [45:57]
Interpretation questions
What does Micah 5:2 teach about how God works through small, hidden places, and how might that reshape assumptions about influence and impact?
If heaven’s news came first to shepherds, what does that suggest about where God’s joy often arrives—in ordinary “fields” like work, family, and neighborhood? “I chose shepherds first, ordinary people.” [29:29]
When invited to “welcome Jesus into your… home,” what kinds of habits, conversations, or routines might come under His light and change? [38:47]
If the Father’s delight in giving is about surrender more than size, what heart posture is God seeking, and what dangers come from measuring gifts by impressiveness? “That blesses my heart. I appreciate that surrender.” [47:34]
Application questions
Where is your “Bethlehem” right now—a small, overlooked place or task that feels unimpressive? What is one faithful step you can take there this week, trusting God has a plan even when the journey feels unclear? “God has a plan… even when the journey feels long.” [19:25]
Think about the “fields” you already tend—work, school, home, neighborhood. Where might you slow down and listen for heaven’s song, and what would saying yes look like for you? “I chose shepherds first, ordinary people.” [29:29]
The invitation was to “welcome Jesus into your… home.” Which room, routine, or relationship tends to stay dark for you? What is one simple, courageous act of obedience you can take to bring His light there this week? [38:47]
Consider your giving rhythms. What small, regular practice could become a daily liturgy of generosity—loosening your grip and widening your joy? For example, a weekly set-aside, a spontaneous blessing fund, or sharing a meal. “Kids… bring their change… we give because You first gave.” [45:57]
Reflect on your gifts this year—time, talents, attention, resources. What would it mean to bring something costly to Jesus this season, not to impress Him but to love Him? “Reflect on what gifts you have brought to the Lord this year.” [48:05]
Think of one conversation coming up this week. How could you carry Jesus into it—in tone, patience, truth, or forgiveness—so that the light you held becomes the light you keep? “Carry Jesus with you through the rest of this week.” [59:46]
Emmanuel draws people into family. What is one act of hospitality you can offer—an invitation, a ride, a seat at your table, a note of encouragement—so others can linger in community and joy? “We want you to spend time together… This is just family being together.” [59:34]
Sermon Clips
And so today, we'll see that prophecy come to life. As we travel together through this story, I invite each one of you to open up your hearts, to sing with joy, and let the story of Jesus' birth shine in your life. And so we're going to start this morning by singing the carol that inspires our theme for today, which is called, O Little Town.
[00:13:18]
(26 seconds)
#LetTheStoryShine
I chose shepherds first, ordinary people, to hear the good news. And this reminds us that God's message is for everyone, no matter who we are or where we come from. And as the angels sang, we too lift up our voices to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Just as the angels filled the night sky with joy, let's join our elementary kids as they come up, and they sing the song, Angels, We Have Heard on High.
[00:29:14]
(33 seconds)
#JoyfulAngelVoices
So guys, before we go into this next song, we kind of want to have a special moment. And so everybody on this side, if you're on the end, there should be a white bucket under your chair. And so I'm going to ask you to get that bucket. And there's a candle inside that. So just pass that all the way across to this other end over here. And so we're just going to give a moment for everybody to get a candle.
[00:38:13]
(20 seconds)
#PassTheLight
And so everybody on this side, if you're on the end, there should be a white bucket under your chair. And so I'm going to ask you to get that bucket. And there's a candle inside that. So just pass that all the way across to this other end over here. And so we're just going to give a moment for everybody to get a candle. Kids, if you were given a bag, you actually have a glow stick inside your activity bag.
[00:38:16]
(20 seconds)
#CandleAndGlow
And so I'm going to ask you to get that bucket. And there's a candle inside that. So just pass that all the way across to this other end over here. And so we're just going to give a moment for everybody to get a candle. Kids, if you were given a bag, you actually have a glow stick inside your activity bag. So kids, we invite you to get your glow stick out as we begin to prepare for this next song. So we'll just keep passing them all the way across.
[00:38:21]
(24 seconds)
#ShareTheLight
And so we're just going to give a moment for everybody to get a candle. Kids, if you were given a bag, you actually have a glow stick inside your activity bag. So kids, we invite you to get your glow stick out as we begin to prepare for this next song. So we'll just keep passing them all the way across. And here's what we're going to do, guys. As we go into this, once you get your candle, I invite you to turn it on.
[00:38:29]
(21 seconds)
#GlowStickMoment
Kids, if you were given a bag, you actually have a glow stick inside your activity bag. So kids, we invite you to get your glow stick out as we begin to prepare for this next song. So we'll just keep passing them all the way across. And here's what we're going to do, guys. As we go into this, once you get your candle, I invite you to turn it on.
[00:38:32]
(19 seconds)
#TurnOnYourLight
And here's what we're going to do, guys. As we go into this, once you get your candle, I invite you to turn it on. And we are going to go into the song, Silent Night. And as we do that, as we turn that light on, I want you to give the thought of welcoming Jesus into your life, but also into your home and into your heart. So I invite you guys to stand and go ahead and turn those candles on.
[00:38:46]
(28 seconds)
#WelcomeJesusHome
As we go into this, once you get your candle, I invite you to turn it on. And we are going to go into the song, Silent Night. And as we do that, as we turn that light on, I want you to give the thought of welcoming Jesus into your life, but also into your home and into your heart.
[00:38:47]
(19 seconds)
#CandleForChrist
So something that we kind of special we have done this month for our Christmas gift offering is we've actually invited all of our kids at each one of our Sunday morning services to come and kind of bring their change and to participate in giving towards that Christmas gift offering. And so all of my kids in here, inside your activity bag, there should be a little pouch that has some change in there. And so I'm going to pray, and then once I'm done praying, I'm going to invite all of our kids to come and to give their change into these buckets.
[00:45:37]
(28 seconds)
#KidsChristmasOffering
So any of you that have change, I invite you to come on forward and put those in the bucket. You know, as I'm looking at all of our kids coming forward and giving it, I don't know if it puts a smile on your face, but just seeing them. How many of you, it puts a smile on your face? You know, as I see them doing that, I kind of see the Father doing the same for you as adults when you give. You know how we looked at them and we're like, oh, that's so sweet. I think when we give unto Him, the Lord's like, that blesses my heart. I appreciate that surrender.
[00:46:39]
(70 seconds)
#ChildlikeGiving
You know, as I'm looking at all of our kids coming forward and giving it, I don't know if it puts a smile on your face, but just seeing them. How many of you, it puts a smile on your face? You know, as I see them doing that, I kind of see the Father doing the same for you as adults when you give. You know how we looked at them and we're like, oh, that's so sweet. I think when we give unto Him, the Lord's like, that blesses my heart. I appreciate that surrender.
[00:47:24]
(25 seconds)
#GivingWarmsHisHeart
Over here on this hallway in our classrooms, we have an activity over there where anybody can go, but especially kids, there's a place where they can decorate an ornament, they can do a door hanger, and it's for preschool, elementary, and above. So spend some time over there. And then back here in the fellowship hall, you'll want to go down this hallway over here. Guys, we've got food. We've got sausage biscuits. We've got fruit. We've got cookies. We've got some treats. We've got hot chocolate. We've got coffee. And so, guys. It is all free. Yep. We want you to spend time together. It costs you nothing. This is just family being together.
[00:59:02]
(33 seconds)
#CraftsAndFellowship
So spend some time over there. And then back here in the fellowship hall, you'll want to go down this hallway over here. Guys, we've got food. We've got sausage biscuits. We've got fruit. We've got cookies. We've got some treats. We've got hot chocolate. We've got coffee. And so, guys. It is all free. Yep. We want you to spend time together.
[00:59:15]
(18 seconds)
#FreeFellowshipFood
Guys, we've got food. We've got sausage biscuits. We've got fruit. We've got cookies. We've got some treats. We've got hot chocolate. We've got coffee. And so, guys. It is all free. Yep. We want you to spend time together. It costs you nothing. This is just family being together.
[00:59:20]
(15 seconds)
#FamilyTimeIsFree
But, guys, let me say this. We say Merry Christmas. We are so glad that all of you are here. Don't let today be a one-time thing. Carry Jesus with you through the rest of this week. We invite you to come back. And next Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11, we'll have services as well. But, guys, we love you. Stick around. If you need prayer, come forward. But we love you guys, and we can't wait to see you around. Merry Christmas. We love you guys. You guys are dismissed.
[00:59:36]
(26 seconds)
#KeepChristThisWeek
Carry Jesus with you through the rest of this week. We invite you to come back. And next Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11, we'll have services as well. But, guys, we love you. Stick around. If you need prayer, come forward. But we love you guys, and we can't wait to see you around. Merry Christmas. We love you guys. You guys are dismissed.
[00:59:44]
(18 seconds)
#StayConnectedInFaith
