Your study notes this week are authored by Will Buschmann, Director of Student Ministries.
Welcome to our final week of our Advent series Good News of Great Joy! This week all of our longings find their hope in the birth of Jesus that we celebrate on Christmas. For our last week of Advent, we are going to ask the question, “Why is the birth of Jesus Christ good news of great joy?” And to do that we are going to look at the characters of the Christmas story and others, including ourselves.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
Shepherds
Observe
The birth of the Savior announced by a multitude of angels and who receives this message? God chose a group of shepherds, of all people.
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.
Shepherds were not popular or loved by any standard in ancient society. They were seen as outcasts. Socially, sent out to the fields with their flock for seasons of time, with only other shepherds to be in relationship with. Economic outcasts on the lowest rung of the socio-economic ladder. Religious outcasts due to the fact that they spent their time with livestock and were deemed unclean for religious worship in the temple. Even without all of those factors, the shepherds were normal people with no political, cultural, or social power. An odd group by worldly standards to be invited to see the newborn King. The angels didn’t get lost on their way. The shepherds were not a mistake. The angels were sent there with the message that the Savior of the world has arrived for people like them!
- Why do you think God would give shepherds this message and invite them to the feet of Jesus?
- Where in your life do you feel like an outcast in this world or in the family of God? How can you receive this “good news of great joy” that even with those feelings this Savior is for you today?
Jesus, I praise you for coming for people like me. I praise you that your first invite to your earthly presence was the shepherds, the outcasts. The social and political elites were not on your mind that night, but the lowly and the left out. When I was an outcast you invited me into your family and you made me your child. Thank you for taking on flesh for me and for all people who will call on your name as Savior. Amen.
Day 2
Wise Men
Observe
The wise men from the east, why would the birth of Jesus be “good news of great joy” for them? They were not like the shepherds at all. They had resources and were able to provide expensive gifts to Jesus upon their arrival. They were educated, they had the ability to track this star and to see it as the sign they were looking for. They had to have some social, political, or cultural status to get an audience with Herod the king. So, why would the birth of this child be “good news of great joy” for them?
Matthew 2:1-12
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
The wise men show us that all of us need a Savior. It doesn’t matter what our resume has on it, or what number bank account statement has on it. We are all lowly and in need of a Savior. That no amount of resources, money, or status has the ability to take away the sin that clings so closely to our souls. The response of the wise men is beautiful. They studied, watched, and waited for this moment. They were ready for Jesus to enter into this world. They leveraged all of their resources in the worship of this child. They left nothing back. No amount of money or effort was going to stop them from worship.
- What in our world tells us that it has the power to save and sustain us, but in fact doesn’t? What are you looking to as your Savior other than Jesus right now?
- How can you leverage all of your resources, status, power, and privilege in worship of Jesus this week?
Jesus, Humbly is how you entered this world and humility is the response of our heart that you desire. Forgive me for my love of this world and all this world has to offer me. Forgive me for all of those days and seasons when I seek to be my own savior by my own merit. Give me your Spirit to show me my sin. Let your Spirit open my eyes to the wonderful hope that there is something far greater than the things of this earth for me to worship and put my trust in. Let me see the baby born in Bethlehem as everything that I need in this life and the next. Amen.
Day 3
Simeon
Observe
Simeon is a man who is described as “righteous and devout”. A man who the Holy Spirit rested on. The only thing he was waiting for in this life was the “consolation of Israel”. His whole life was preparing for this moment in the Temple.
Luke 2:22-34
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant] depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Why was this “good news of great joy” for Simeon? After seeing and holding the baby the world has waited so long for, he is ready to die in peace. That was all he was longing for, to see the true salvation of the Lord arrive on this earth. He knows that this salvation is for the Jews and Gentiles and he is ready to receive it. God gave him a life that was long enough to see this moment. To see his desires be fulfilled.
- What are some things this world teaches us to long for before our death? The list you made, what does it look like compared to Simeon’s?
- Whose salvation are you longing for, praying for, seeking after before you die? What do you pray to see happen here on this earth before your death?
Lord, I often chafe at the process. When I can’t see how things are going to work out, I become impatient. Yet time and time again, you have given me the gift of hindsight, to look back and see how carefully you were making the path straight before me, even though I was too caught up in my daily life to see it. Give me the patience to wait on you when things don’t make sense to me. Amen.
Day 4
Us
Observe
Is the birth of Jesus “good news of great joy” just for the people who saw him while he was on this earth? Or is this “good news of great joy” for us right now as we end 2021? We are going to read through the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus today and ponder what they say about who he is.
John 6:35-40
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 8:12
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 10:7-10
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:11-18
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
John 11:17-27
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles[c] off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[d] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 15:1-11
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
The same Jesus that all things were created for and through at the creation of the world is the same Jesus who came to earth as a baby. The same Jesus that walked the earth declaring himself fully God and taking the weight and pain of our sin is the same Jesus that we speak to today. He is not changing. He is not forgetting about his people. He is our joy, hope, and satisfaction in the midst of all this world throws at us.
- How would you describe Jesus based off of these passages?
- Is this Jesus described in these texts beautiful to you? Why or why not?
Jesus, Thank you for who you are. Thank you that you are a God who doesn’t change. Thank you that you are a God who doesn’t withhold your presence from your people back then or even now. Open up our eyes to see that you are not just another teacher, but you are the Divine King! Amen.
Day 5
Christmas Eve
Observe
Happy Christmas Eve! Today we will be resting in the Christmas story one last time as we prepare to gather later in worship at 4pm and 6pm!
Luke 2:1-21
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
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.
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
The hope of the world has come. Every doubt, every problem, every suffering, every circumstance, every bad report finds hope in him. A baby born to die, so that we can have life. All of our worries and anxieties, he bears them on his shoulder. Jesus could be trusted then and he can be trusted now.
- What are you holding onto today that is too much for you and you need to give to Jesus?
- If this whole narrative is true, what does it change about your life?
Jesus, Thank you. Thank you for seeing me in my brokenness and sin and not leaving me in it. Thank you for taking on flesh, so I can have a Savior who knows what it is like to be human. Thank you for being born to die, so that I can have life. Forgive me when I am so caught up in everything else that I forget about what you have done. Forgive me for my anxieties and worries that lead me to doubt who you are. Teach my heart that you can be trusted, because of what you have already done. Free me to worship you as I celebrate your incarnation tonight. Amen.