1. Celebrating the Savior's Birth December 23

2. Think About It … When you think about uncomfortable travel, what personal experiences do you recall? Today we look at a young couple who -traveled a long way -she was very pregnant – ended up delivering at their destination -had no reservations when they arrived

3. Listen for atypical conditions for the birth of a baby. Luke 2:4-7 (NIV) So 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. [5] He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

4. Listen for atypical conditions for the birth of a baby. [6] While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, [7] and 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.

5. Appreciate the Challenging Circumstances Several elements of the story are extraordinary for birthing a baby. What unusual things do you see? How can the way Mary managed her challenges help us to handle our difficulties?

6. Appreciate the Challenging Circumstances What specific actions of or interventions by God do you see in this story? Why would it have been hard to see God at work while they were in the midst of these events?

7. Appreciate the Challenging Circumstances For each of the situations below, how might God be at work? Loss of a job Delayed by a flat tire Meet an old high school classmate Busy church worker moves away New family moves into the neighborhood

8. Listen for specific directions given to the shepherds. Luke 2:8-12 (NIV) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. [9] An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. [10] But the angel said to them,

9. Listen for specific directions given to the shepherds. "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. [12] This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

10. Tell the Good News Why do you think God would bring the news of the Messiah’s birth first to shepherds? What specific information were the shepherds given?

11. Tell the Good News The shepherds received a personal announcement about Jesus. How can we make Christmas personal to those around us? What can we do to keep from losing the great joy of this good news in all our holiday rush? What kind of wonderful news causes you to rush to tell someone else?

12. Listen for the specific response of the shepherds to the events of that night. Luke 2:16-20 (NIV) So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. [17] When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, [18] and all who heard it were amazed at

13. Listen for the specific response of the shepherds to the events of that night. what the shepherds said to them. [19] But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. [20] The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

14. Praise God for Sending the Savior How did the shepherds respond to what they had seen and heard? What specific things do you think they said as they glorified and praised God? How did Mary respond to all these events – the trip, the smelly stable, the birthing of her first child?

15. Praise God for Sending the Savior What specific things do you think went through her mind as she “pondered?” We see here both outward enthusiasm and inward reflection … what is the value of each? Outward EnthusiasmInward Reflection

16. Application Think of some creative ways in which you can honor Jesus in your Christmas celebrations this year We saw the example of both outward enthusiasm and inward reflection. Try to do some of both this year. Remember how Mary and Joseph responded to their challenging circumstances

17. Celebrating the Savior's Birth December 23