1. What part of Jesus’ birth story makes you feel the most connected to God?
2. Why do you think God chose to announce Jesus’ birth first to shepherds instead of kings and religious leaders? What does this reveal about God’s heart?
3. How can we reflect Jesus’ humility and inclusiveness in the way we treat others?
4. If Jesus were born today, who might be the “shepherds” – the people most overlooked – that he would want to include first?
5. The angels said that Jesus’ birth was “good news for all people.” This includes you. What does it mean for you personally that Jesus came for you?
6. The shepherds couldn’t keep this good news to themselves – they told everyone. What are some creative or authentic ways we can share the good news about Jesus today?
7. God showed His love by coming close to us in humility. What might it look like for you to “come close” to someone who feels left out or unworthy this week?

THE MAIN POINT

Jesus’ humble birth shows that all people can relate to God.

THE BIBLE

Luke 2:1-20

THE CONTEXT

Luke, a Gentile physician, wrote his gospel account to highlight the universal scope of the Gospel. It is not only for Jews, but also for Gentiles (Luke 2:31-32). It is not reserved for the social elite, but the Gospel is “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). The uniqueness of Luke’s Gospel is that it is written primarily to a Gentile audience intended to confirm their faith (Luke 1:4).

Jesus was not born as we would expect a king to be born, or as the Jews would have expected the Messiah to be born. Instead, as Norval Geldenhuys puts it, “He had left the glory of the Father and humbled Himself to be born as a human child in the most lowly circumstances. And… He was laid in a manger.” The circumstances of Jesus’ birth were the same as any human being, allowing us to relate to him, even from his birth. Mary went through everything a woman giving birth would go through: the pain, the labour, the bodily fluids, all of it. But to top it all off, she gave birth in a manger, a place to feed and keep animals warm at night. Surrounded by donkeys, sheep, goats, plus more. Mary gave birth to the King of the Universe in a place that carried the scent of hay, sweat, animals, and animal droppings. Not the most comfortable or sanitary place to give birth. She did not have the comfort of a hospital bed.

Specifically, in the birth narrative, Luke is unique from Matthew (the only other gospel recounting the birth narrative) in that he highlights the story of the shepherds (whereas Matthew’s gospel speaks of the wise men). They are the first people to whom Jesus’ birth is announced; consequently, they are also the first people to announce the good news of His birth. It is noteworthy that this good news is not announced worldwide, but to a small group of simple shepherds tending their flocks nearby. Jesus’ birth is not this grand scene. Jesus was not born as a world-renowned celebrity. Instead, he was born humbly in a manger, accessible and approachable. Status does not matter in his eyes; he is approachable and accessible to all.

THE CORE

As you prepare the core of the message using personal story and questions keep in mind these points:

• Jesus was born of a 14-16-year-old girl who was not married yet. Although it was common for girls at this time to be married (and potentially have kids) in their teenage years, Norval Geldenhuys notes this: “At that time an engagement was regarded as a definite promise of mutual fidelity and its violation was looked upon as adultery. On the one hand, the highest honour ever given to a woman had been conferred on [Mary] by the Lord to become the mother of the Son of God. But on the other hand, Mary was placed in an extremely difficult and even mortally dangerous position. For she clearly realized how radically it would influence her social position and especially her relation to Joseph if she should become pregnant before marriage.” Even from his birth, Jesus entered a world of risk and rejection – showing that God’s plan includes and values those the world overlooks. Imagine being in Mary’s or Joseph’s shoes. How does this news impact and affect your world?
• This event marks the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies and represents the embodiment of God’s love for humanity.
• The angels’ proclamation to the shepherds, who were considered lowly in society, emphasizes the universality of Jesus’ message of salvation. It demonstrates that Jesus’ birth is for all people, regardless of their status and background. This message finds its clearest expression in Luke 2:10; “…I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people…”
• The humility and simplicity of the setting of Jesus’ birth in a manger also convey the message that God’s love knows no bounds and is accessible to everyone.
• This passage encapsulates the central hope of Christianity – that through the birth of Jesus, God entered the world to bring hope, peace, redemption, and salvation to all who believe.

THE APPLICATION

As you prepare the application, challenge and/or encouragement, keep in mind these points:

• The humility and accessibility of Jesus’ birth serve as powerful reminders of God’s approachability (fits in well with our theme of Boldly Approach) and inclusiveness. It reassures us that divine love and grace are not reserved for the elite but are available to everyone, including you/me.
• Let’s consider how we can embody the humility and inclusiveness that Jesus’ birth represents. Are there areas in our lives where we prioritize status over substance? How can we make God’s love more accessible to those around us? The shepherds’ joy upon receiving the angels’ message calls them to share the good news with others, regardless of their social standing. God’s love transcends all bounds, reaching out to us in unexpected and humble circumstances. Upon receiving this love and grace, we are called to do as the shepherds, praise God, and share this good news.