Series Passage

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.

Luke 2:15-16

The Ongoing Search

People are still searching for meaning

People are still searching for purpose

People are still searching for hope

We find love in the fact that Jesus was laid in a manger

We find peace in the promise of God to give peace

We find joy in the good news the angels delivered

We find hope in the truth that we have a savior

Why love matters at Christmas?

The love of Jesus is real

The love of Jesus is relevant

The love of Jesus is relentless

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. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths 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, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:8-14

The manger shows us the humility of Jesus

Jesus went from the songs of heaven to the stench of the stable

Jesus came into poverty

Jesus came to declare God’s promise

Jesus came to us personally

The manger shows us the humanity of Jesus

Jesus came in our image

Jesus came to impart righteousness

Jesus came to fulfill the impossible

Jesus came to be our Immanuel

The manger shows us the heart of Jesus

Jesus came to show us the love

Jesus came to share the life

Jesus came to shield us from death

Why does this matter?

We are called to remember the love of Jesus

We are called to share the love of Jesus

We are called to show the love of Jesus