Christmas Questions
QUESTIONS FOR YOU AT CHRISTMAS
Intro: Are you ready to experience the true meaning of Christmas? The story of Jesus’ birth is more than a story we love—it’s an invitation for us to reflect deeply and respond personally. The question for us today is not merely, "What happened in Bethlehem?" but rather, "How will I respond to what happened in Bethlehem?" As we consider the responses of Mary, the shepherds, and others to the arrival of the baby Jesus, we’re left with an even more powerful question:
How will you respond to the Savior who came for you?
Elisabeth Elliot: "He came, not to a throne, but to a manger. He lived, not as a king, but as a servant. He chose not a kingdom, but a cross. He gave, not just a little, but everything."
Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, as we gather to reflect on the birth of Your Son, open our hearts and minds to the questions You place before us. Help us not only to hear the story but to respond to it with faith, wonder, and action. Amen.
WILL YOU EMBRACE GOD’S CALLING LIKE MARY?
In Luke 1:26-37, the angel Gabriel visits Mary with an extraordinary message: she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God.
Understandably, Mary is troubled at first and questions how this can be, especially since she is a virgin. Yet Gabriel reassures her with these powerful words:
Luke 1:37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
How does Mary ultimately respond to this life-altering calling?
Luke 1:38 “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
Isn’t Mary’s response profound? And it is an example for all of us.
She embraces God’s plan with trust and surrender, despite the fear, uncertainty, and social risks involved.
When she says that she is “the maidservant of the Lord,” and “let it be to me according to your word,” she is saying, “Let my life completely line up with Your purposes, Lord.”
This raises a question for all of us: When God presents you with an unexpected challenge or an unforeseen opportunity, will you respond with the same faith and with the same humility as Mary?
C.S. Lewis: “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
Mary trusted God’s word, even when it defied human understanding. She believed, and her belief led to her to obey the Lord.
In the same way, when we choose to trust God’s plans, we are called to walk forward in faith, not because the path is clear, but because God is faithful.
Think back on moments in your life when God’s calling felt overwhelming or unclear. Have you ever responded like Mary, saying, “I’m yours, Lord. Let Your will be done in my life…”?
We are invited to follow Mary’s example— (a) to trust God when His plans seem beyond comprehension; (b) to believe that He will equip us for what He has chosen us to do.
As you face your next step of faith, let Mary’s story remind you: nothing is impossible with God.
DO YOU CELEBRATE THE GOOD NEWS LIKE THE SHEPHERDS?
Luke 2:15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Luke 2:16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
Luke 2:17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
Luke 2:18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luke 2:20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
The shepherds were not the most likely messengers of the Good News. They were looked down upon, marginalized, and often distrusted:
- Their work kept them “unclean” under Jewish law.
- Their reputation was stained by dishonesty and unreliability.
- They were so mistrusted that they were not allowed to testify in court.
And yet—God chose them to be the first to hear of Christ’s birth. Why? Because God doesn’t look at outward qualifications; He looks at the heart.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come."
Someone has said that Christmas is the end of thinking you are better than someone else because Christmas is telling you that you could never get to heaven on your own. God had to come to you.
How Did the Shepherds Respond?
- They acted immediately: “Let us now go to Bethlehem…” (v.15).
- They shared the message boldly: “They made widely known the saying…” (v.17).
- They celebrated with praise: “Glorifying and praising God…” (v.20).
Charles Spurgeon: “To a great extent, the gospel has been committed to the hands of the poor and humble, and they have been blessed in its use.”
Reflection: Are you willing to set aside fear, hesitation, or unworthiness to proclaim greatness of Jesus?
ARE YOU SEEKING JESUS, UNLIKE THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS?
Matt 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
Matt 2:5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
Matt 2:6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
The chief priests and scribes knew where the Messiah would be born—Bethlehem—yet they did nothing when news of His birth emerged.
The wise men, who were strangers to Israel, eagerly sought Him. Meanwhile, those who had the answers remained indifferent.
What should we think of those who know the right answers but do not act on the light that they have?
The religious leaders had Scripture at their fingertips, yet their hearts were unmoved.
Knowledge without action is spiritual blindness.
Can you believe that? They knew the Scriptures about the Promised Messiah, and when it was rumored that He had been born, they did not bother to verify the news! They fail by being passive.
It is astonishing that the Jewish religious leaders made no attempt to follow through on the possibility that the baby to be born might be the long-awaited Messiah.
But what about you? Are you merely holding on to facts, or are you acting on the truth you’ve been given?
Faith requires movement.
“The saddest thing in life is not ignorance but knowing the truth and doing nothing about it.”
The religious leaders in Matthew 2 serve as a warning to us about the danger of delaying in the face of spiritual truth.
Their knowledge of Scripture was unparalleled, yet they failed to seek the very Savior they had studied and longed for.
Proximity to truth does not guarantee salvation. The chief priests/scribes were close to Scripture. They were professionally religious. And yet they were far from God.
The religious leaders didn’t actively oppose Jesus in this moment, but their apathy was just as damning as outright hostility. To ignore the call of the gospel is to reject it.
Every day we delay responding to the gospel, our hearts grow harder. There is no neutral ground with Jesus—He demands a response.
What steps can you take to move from passive knowledge to active faith?
Are you seeking Jesus with your whole heart, or are you standing still while others pursue Him?
Application:
As we conclude, the question remains: How will you respond to the birth of Jesus? The story of Christmas isn’t just about what happened in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago—it’s about what’s happening in your heart right now.
Just as Mary said, “Let it be to me according to your word,” and the shepherds joyfully spread the news, you too can respond in faith.
He sees you. He knows your struggles. He will give you a new heart and with it, eternal life.
Christmas whispers this truth: God is not far off. He stepped into our world to walk beside us, to carry us, and to save us.
The beauty of the gospel is that it’s for everyone—no matter where you’ve been, what you’ve done, or how far you feel from God.
He came near so you could come close to Him. Will you take that step of faith today?
God’s invitation is time-sensitive.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.
No one knows when their opportunity to respond will end. Death, the return of Christ, or the hardening of your own heart can close the door forever.
Max Lucado: "God went to great lengths to reach you. No distance is too great, no sacrifice too much, no love too strong. That’s Christmas."
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At Great Commission Church, we believe that faith is not just a solitary endeavor but a shared experience that strengthens and enriches us all. Our church is a place where you can find purpose, belonging, and the encouragement to live a life in accordance with Christ's teachings. Join us this Sunday at Great Commission Church and experience the transformative power of faith in action. Be part of a loving and supportive community that is committed to making a positive impact in our world. Together, we strive to fulfill the great commission to go forth and make disciples of all nations. We look forward to having you with us at Great Commission Church this Sunday, where faith, love, and community intersect in a truly amazing way.
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