Getting to know the characters of the first Christmas
Lord now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.
Luke 2: 22-38 – Jesus Blessed by Simeon and Anna
Luke 2:8-20 – Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.
And you child will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins because of the tender mercy of our God whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 1:76-79
John the Baptist- the kings herald
Luke 1:57-80
Mary- the Lords servant (Luke 1:26-56)
1. GOD HAS AN OVERARCHING PLAN IN WHICH INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE PLAY A VITAL PART
2. GOD MAKES US AWARE OF OUR PART IN HIS PLAN
3. GOD ‘S PLAN IS NOT WITHOUT RISK COST OR CONSEQUENCES
4. TRUST IN GOD AND SUBMISSION TO HIS PLAN IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF WORSHIP
5. OUR OBEDIENCE TO GOD ‘S PLAN WILL RESULT IN UNIMAGINABLE BLESSING TO OTHERS AND GREAT JOY FOR OURSELVES
Zechariah & Elizabeth- the surprised seniors
Luke 1:5-23