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Today we look into another New Beginning found in the Christmas story…

This is found in Luke 2:8-18 (KJV) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  (9)  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  (10)  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  (11)  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  (12)  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.  (15)  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  (16)  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  (17)  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  (18)  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

— God purposed new beginnings for these shepherds in the birth of the Messiah, Jesus.

Q1. What do you see in this account of an angelic announcement?

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A/ God chose to give this heavenly announcement to common laborers.

B/ Their first reaction is fear… Why? _______________________________________________

C/ Why is it considered a “sign”… (Vs.12)  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ”?  

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D/ Who is included in the blessing from the angel’s chorus from (Vs.14)  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”?

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E/ Does this blessing still apply to people today? (To you and I?)

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F/ Do you think this experience changed these shepherds? (See Vs.17)     ☐ Yes…      ☐ No…

 

Vs.14 tells us, “…and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Q2. How do we find this peace in this world? – (Finding Jesus is God’s way to find our peace.)

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Q3. Do you think that those shepherds were changed after this experience?   ☐ Yes…   ☐ No

(In what way?)_________________________________________________________________

We’ll close with testimonies of how God has given us new directions in life.