Good News of Great Joy for All People

In one paragraph

This service centered on the birth of Jesus Christ, told through Scripture readings and music woven together as a Christmas program. Rather than a traditional sermon, the congregation heard the nativity story presented by readers, singers, and children from the church. The focus throughout was the incarnation of God and what it means that He entered the world as a child. The service opened with...

Read together

1. Luke 2:10 quoted on announcement slide as theme for Monday night Christmas message: 'good news of great joy for all people'
2. John 3:16-17 read aloud during the lighting of the fourth advent candle
3. Matthew 1:18-25 read aloud as part of the Christmas program, titled 'Joseph accepts Jesus as his son'
4. Luke 1:26-38 read aloud as part of the Christmas program, the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary
5. Luke 2:1-7 read aloud as part of the Christmas program, the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
6. Luke 2:8-20 read aloud as part of the Christmas program, the shepherds and the angels
7. Matthew 2:1-12 read aloud as part of the Christmas program, the Magi coming to worship Jesus

Talk about it

1. The fourth Advent candle represents love, and John 3:16-17 was read to describe God sending His Son not to condemn the world but to save it. What does it mean to you personally that God's love took the form of sending rather than condemning?
2. Joseph learned Mary was pregnant before they were married, and his first instinct was to divorce her quietly to protect her from disgrace. What does that tell us about Joseph's character, and what does it cost someone to do the right thing when the full picture is not yet clear?
3. Mary's response to the angel was, 'I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.' She said this before she could have understood what it would cost her. What does that kind of surrender look like in ordinary life?
4. The shepherds were terrified when the angel appeared, but they were told not to be afraid and then immediately went to find the child. What is the relationship between fear and faith in how they responded, and where do you see that same tension in your own life?
5. The prayer before the offering asked that the congregation would see in the children something of God and be reminded of a willingness to have faith without being jaded or cynical. What do you think was meant by that, and is there an area of your life where cynicism has quietly replaced faith?