Read Luke 2:1-20.

Think through God’s main reason for this season and imagine what it would have been like the first few days after Jesus’ birth.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Reflect on the passage you just read:

1. Why do we give gifts at Christmas?
2. What is the best gift you have ever received at Christmas?
3. Being a shepherd was a lowly job. How does it make you feel knowing that God’s great gift–the King of kings–came for all people?
4. What did the shepherds do when they heard about God’s great gift?
5. What did the shepherds do after they saw the baby? Did they keep this gift to themselves?
6. Hang candy canes, the symbol of a shepherd’s crook, on your Christmas tree (and maybe eat a few). As we read the Christmas story in Luke, imagine together what it was like to be out in the fields at night when a bright angel (and later, more angels) showed up to deliver the news of Jesus’ birth.

Families with Younger Kids

Families with Older Kids

Take a few moments to talk to the Lord.

• Thank God for His gift of Jesus.
• Ask God to help you share this gift of Jesus Christ with others.