Notes
No one expected a King to be born in a manger in Bethlehem. Yet, the Christmas story shows God consistently turning the unexpected into miracles. Every person involved faced challenges that tested their faith and required trust in God's plan.
1) Face the Challenge
"Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God!"
Luke 1:30
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:20
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sh Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrifie but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
Luke 2:8-10
The Christmas story is filled with people who faced daunting situations. Like Mary, Joseph, t shepherds, and the wise men, we shouldn't let fear stop us. Don't give up when challenges arise. Keep walking and trust God to help you face the challenge.
2) Listen Well
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him."
Matthew 2:1-2
"You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"
Mary asked the angel, "But how can this happen? I am a virgin."
The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God."
Luke 1:31-35
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
Matthew 1:20-21
…but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips cloth, lying in a manger."
Luke 2:10-12
The primary way God speaks is through His Word, the Bible. If you want to hear from God, you have to be willing to stop and listen to Him. That means spending time with Him–reading the Bible in its context (understanding who it was written to, when and where it was written, and why it was written) helps us then apply it to our lives.
God's ways are higher than our ways; His plans are greater than anything we could ever imagine. Make spending time with your Creator a priority.
3) Make a Move
After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with jo They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:9-11
Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." And then the angel left her.
Luke 1:38
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.
Matthew 1:24
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
Luke 2:15
Faith is not passive. When we listen to God, it should move us to action. The wise men follow the star and brought gifts, showing that their faith had met God's promise. Mary and Joseph responded with faith, even though their situation went against cultural norms. The shepherds left their jobs to see what God had done.
These actions of faith show a willingness to trust God fully, even when His plan is unclear. Their obedience brought about blessings and protection, like the wise men's gifts that funded Mary and Joseph's journey to Egypt.
God still speaks today, and He still calls us to respond. He promises to work through the Church. As we bring our faith and gifts together as God's people, the Holy Spirit empowers us to accomplish His mission.
Group Questions
- What's one unexpected challenge you've faced recently? How did you respond?
- Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men all had different challenges. Which of the stories resonates with you the most? Why?
- Why is understanding Scripture in context important? Can you think of an example where context changed how you understood a passage?
- Is there an area of your life where God is asking you to trust Him and take a step of faith? What would it look like to say, "Whatever You want, Lord"?
Prayer
Thank you for working in unexpected ways. Help us to trust you with our challenges. Open our hearts to listen to you and follow your Word, to make a move even when faced with uncertainty.