Jesus is the King of Kings. If you were to write His birth story, how would you imagine He would be welcomed? We could probably never be as creative as God was when He orchestrated it. In the story God writes for us, the news is first sent out unexpectedly to an unsuspecting people… shepherds. His invitation to them still stands for us today: Come. Behold. Rejoice.

Luke 2:8-20

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Read Luke 2:1-20 together.

2. Why would God choose “unworthy”, marginalized shepherds to be the first to receive the announcement of Christ’s birth? 

3. The shepherds were “keeping watch.” How does this point to the spiritual vigilance we need today in our own faith?

4. How can we, like the shepherds, actively seek Jesus in our daily routines and find Him in humble places?

5. In what ways does Jesus’ arrival for the marginalized shepherds speak to God’s heart for those “left behind” in our culture today?

6. Pick up a Christmas songbook in the lobby and sing and make a joyful noise together with your favorite Christmas songs and hymns.

For Families with Kids

1. Read Luke 2:1-20 together as a family.

2. What’s your favorite part of this well-known story?

3. Who were the shepherds and what did their job (watching sheep at night) tell people about them? Why would God choose them to be the first to hear the Good News of Jesus’ birth?

4. What did the shepherds do after the angels left?

5. What’s one thing you can do this week as a family to go out like the shepherds and share the joy of Jesus’ birth?

6. Pick up a Christmas songbook in the lobby and sing and make a joyful noise together with your favorite Christmas songs and hymns.