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As I’ve been reading through the story of Jesus’ birth in Scripture, I’ve noticed some themes in what kind of response was prompted in people when they heard about the newborn King. Here are four ways the biblical characters involved in the Christmas story responded to the news of Jesus’ birth, and how you and I can respond to the Christmas story too.

Remember

“He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.” (Luke 1:69-70)

Jesus fulfilled the prophecies given in the Old Testament that pointed to the Savior who would come in the future. The gospel writers connected the dots between what was spoken in the Old Testament and what happened in the life of Jesus, and in doing so they caused their hearers and readers to reflect on God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises and confirmed that Jesus was truly who He said He was.

Just as the promises of Scripture about Jesus’ first coming are true, the promises about His second coming are true. As we reflect on Jesus’ birth and all that happened at His first coming, we can also look forward with hope and expectation to the day when Jesus will come again to judge sin, end suffering, and rule the earth forever with peace and righteousness as King.

A practical way to do this is to read the Old Testament prophecies of Jesus’ coming in Isaiah, Micah, and other books and their fulfillment in the New Testament. You can start with the verses quoted in the accounts of the birth of Jesus in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. You could also read the Old and New Testament prophecies about what Jesus’ second coming will be like as well.

Christmas can also be a season to remember personal promises and prophetic words from God over your own life and be encouraged that God can fulfill His word to you and complete His work in your life. Over the past few months, I’ve sensed certain words from God and desires God has put in my heart being stirred in my heart in a fresh way. So, I’ve been taking time in this season to remember and re-read those words and desires and talk to God about what He’s saying to me about those things in this season and what He wants to do with them. It’s been so precious; you might want to try something similar.

Worship

“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’” (Luke 2:13-14)

As you read Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2, you’ll notice that whenever the coming of Jesus was announced–either when Mary became pregnant or once Jesus was born–those who heard the announcement responded with worship. We see this in Mary, Elizabeth, the shepherds, and the angels.

God, in His mercy, sent us a Savior in Jesus so we could be saved from our sins. That is a gift from God worth praising Him for!

I love to worship with the Christmas hymns. It’s so easy to mindlessly sing them and miss their power because we’re over-familiar with them. But those Christmas carols are so rich in theology. They’re packed with truth about the knowledge of Jesus, the story of the gospel, and language to help us worship Him for who He is and what He’s done. I want to encourage you not to miss their message! And don’t miss the opportunity to pause and worship Jesus, even with the busyness of the Christmas season.

Share

“After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.” (Luke 2:17)

Worshipping Jesus the Savior should inspire us to tell others about Jesus the Savior. He commanded us to preach the gospel to every person and teach those who believe to follow Him. (Matthew 28:18-20). He has made us ambassadors for Him, messengers of reconciliation that call others to come to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

When the angels announced to the shepherds in the field that the Savior had been born, they told others what the angels said about Jesus. When Anna, the prophet, witnessed baby Jesus being dedicated in the Temple, she talked to others about Him. Who are you telling about Jesus this Christmas season?

This is our privilege and mission every day as followers of Jesus, but people may be especially open to conversations about Jesus this time of year or more open to invitations to church events. And chances are you’re spending a little more time around family and friends and neighbors as you celebrate this season. Pray about what role Jesus would have you play in helping introduce someone to Him.

Believe

You might find yourself reading this and you’re not yet a follower of Jesus. Glad you’re here! May I suggest that Christmas could be a time to think about what you believe about the story of Jesus and how you might respond to it? Jesus invites each of us personally and individually to place our faith in Him and choose to follow Him. (Luke 9:23)

Maybe He’s inviting you to think about where you are in your own faith journey. Or to ask Him to reveal Himself to you in a personal way. Or maybe you have some questions about faith and there’s a Christian in your life you can ask and have a chat over coffee. Maybe you’re even ready to become a Christian and you just need to take that step and commit your life to Jesus.

Jesus’ desire is that we would hear His story–hear His message–and believe in Him. (1 Timothy 2:3-6) His desire is that we would put our trust in Him as Savior from our sins and follow Him with our lives. Once God has worked in your heart helping you believe His message is true and helping you see your need for Jesus, the next step of faith to take is to believe and follow Him. If you want to learn how to do that, read this blog.

Let’s Talk: Which of these responses to the Christmas story is God calling you to embrace more? Discuss this post in the comments below.