Special Christmas Message 23/12/07

THE GOOD NEWS OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

Teachers to read bible scripture: <Lu 1;26-38> <Mt 1:18-25> <Lu 2:8-20> <Ma 2:1-12>
Children to memorize bible scripture: <Mt 1:23>

Introduction
Christmas is approaching in 2 days’ time. Today, we want to find out the meaning of Christmas.
[Children, do you know why there is Christmas Day? Why is Christmas so special? Who is the main
character on Christmas?] That is right. Christmas is a time to remember the birth of our Lord, Jesus
Christ. But why do we say that His birth is good news? Actually, Jesus Christ is the world’s Savior, as
well as the Lord of our lives. The most blessed people are those who know and believe in Him, and
treat His birth as good news. Therefore, 2000 years ago, the birth of Jesus Christ brought the greatest
joy to 3 types of people! To them, the birth of Jesus Christ was the best news! Today, we shall see
how the birth of Jesus Christ bring so much good news to the 3 types of people and caused their lives
to change:

1. Magi from the east heard the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ
1) Magi from the east – They are people of this world who are rich, have potential and
are wise.
2) Under what situations did they hear the good news? They saw His star in the east
and followed it to worship Him (the King of Jews).
3) Their response after they heard: When they saw Jesus Christ, they presented Him
with gifts of gold, of incense and of myrrh to worship Him. This was because they
knew that Jesus Christ is the great Prophet, the great Priest and the great King, who
would solve all our problems!
4) Therefore, likewise, we celebrate Christmas today. But do we truly know the meaning
of Christmas? Christmas tells us that Jesus Christ was born for us. He came to find
us to become our personal Savior. Only He can solve all our problems. Therefore,
after we have known Him, we do not need to carry the burden of our problems. We
should present our problems to Him and let Him share the burden of our problems.

2. Shepherds living out in the fields heard the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ
1) Shepherds living in the fields – They are the poor, suffering people in this world with
hardly any formal education.
2) Under what situations did they hear the good news? They lived difficult lives daily.
However, one night, while watching their flocks, the angels brought them good news
of great joy regarding the birth of Christ. They immediately got up and followed the
direction given by the angels, to look for Jesus Christ (the world’s Savior).
3) Their response after they heard: After they found Jesus, they were very joyful and
praised God, glorifying Him for all the things they had heard and seen.
4) Therefore, likewise, today, we know that Jesus Christ will carry the burden of all our
problems. We should not remain in our inferiority, suffering, unhappiness, anxiety,
worries, fear etc. We should be like the shepherds, by joyfully following the Lord daily
and then telling the people around us of the good news of the birth of Christ.
3. Joseph and Mary heard the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ
1) Joseph and Mary – They are people who love God. They always listen to God’s
words in church and also serve God’s people.
2) Under what situations did they hear the good news? They were always following God
and in the days of their ministerial serving, God one day sent His archangel, Gabriel
to reveal to them and informed them of the good news of the birth Jesus Christ
(God’s son). He also told them that Jesus Christ would be born through Mary and
both Mary and Joseph would then raise Him up.
3) Their response after they heard: They were willing to be used by God and therefore,
submitted to the instructions of the angels sent by God.
4) Therefore, likewise, today, when we see that Jesus Christ is the son of God, and is
also the Savior who is here to save us, guide us and use us daily, we should follow
Joseph and Mary, by submitting to Him in all things. E.g. We will go where God
wants us to go; we will do what God wants us to do; we will be used the way God
wants us to be used. [Are we willing? If you are willing, please think: How is the Lord
going to use me in 2008? In which areas can He use us?]