Today in Sunday school the lesson was on the birth of Christ from Luke 2:1-20. The Bible truth the kids left with was that Jesus was born as God planned. I want to simply share the "Teacher Connection" for today from Lifeway.
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Caesar Augustus was ruler of the Roman Empire. He ordered people to go to their hometowns and register their presence in his kingdom. From earthly appearances Caesar Augustus was in charge, but actually he was doing nothing more than moving under the awesome hand of God.
From heaven's perspective the mighty Caesar was a momentary figure who would disappear in a few short years. Meanwhile, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings was temporarily dwelling in the womb of a young woman making her way to Bethlehem.
We do not know the exact date of Jesus' birth, but we know His birth came at just the right moment. To our human perspective, the moment may not seem right. Joseph and Mary were visiting Bethlehem; they should have been home in Nazareth. They had to lay the baby in a manger; they should have laid Him in His bed at home. God's ways are not our ways. He chose the right moment, the right circumstances for His Son's birth.
God's gift came in a newborn who could not speak, see clearly, nor move on His own. The gift humbly came so that even a simple peasant woman and man could clutch God to their bosoms and love Him. God's gift of Himself was simple and profound.
An angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds - poor, humble, working men. After quieting their fears, the angel told them incredible news: A Savior had come! They would find Him as a newborn infant wrapped in cloths, resting in a manger. Heaven could not keep silent. A great host of heavenly beings filled the sky and broke out in glorious praise and proclamation.
The shepherds ran to see what they had been told. They discovered the little boy in a manger. Before the morning sun came up, they were telling others about the incredible experience of the night: The Messiah had come! This Christmas how can you proclaim the Messiah's birth? What can you do to help others know that Jesus has come?
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Caesar Augustus was ruler of the Roman Empire. He ordered people to go to their hometowns and register their presence in his kingdom. From earthly appearances Caesar Augustus was in charge, but actually he was doing nothing more than moving under the awesome hand of God.
From heaven's perspective the mighty Caesar was a momentary figure who would disappear in a few short years. Meanwhile, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings was temporarily dwelling in the womb of a young woman making her way to Bethlehem.
We do not know the exact date of Jesus' birth, but we know His birth came at just the right moment. To our human perspective, the moment may not seem right. Joseph and Mary were visiting Bethlehem; they should have been home in Nazareth. They had to lay the baby in a manger; they should have laid Him in His bed at home. God's ways are not our ways. He chose the right moment, the right circumstances for His Son's birth.
God's gift came in a newborn who could not speak, see clearly, nor move on His own. The gift humbly came so that even a simple peasant woman and man could clutch God to their bosoms and love Him. God's gift of Himself was simple and profound.
An angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds - poor, humble, working men. After quieting their fears, the angel told them incredible news: A Savior had come! They would find Him as a newborn infant wrapped in cloths, resting in a manger. Heaven could not keep silent. A great host of heavenly beings filled the sky and broke out in glorious praise and proclamation.
The shepherds ran to see what they had been told. They discovered the little boy in a manger. Before the morning sun came up, they were telling others about the incredible experience of the night: The Messiah had come! This Christmas how can you proclaim the Messiah's birth? What can you do to help others know that Jesus has come?
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