Part 3: Do You See What I See?

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE CHRISTMAS STORY - PART 3

Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2

WHAT TO SEE BEHIND THE SCENES

1.   THE STAR AND THE WISE MEN: A GOD WHO PURSUES US. 

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.’”

Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV)

“I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call on My name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.”

Isaiah 65:1 (NIV)

2.    THE SHEPHERDS: A GOD WHO CARES FOR THE LEAST.

“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 that will cause great joy for all the people.’”

Luke 2:8-10 (NIV)

“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.”

Luke 2:15-20 (NIV)

3.    THE MANGER: A GOD WHO TRANSFORMS TRASH INTO TREASURE.

“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 cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”

1 John 2:1 (NIV)

4.    BABY JESUS: A KING TO BE WORSHIPPED.

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Luke 2:20 (NIV)

“On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

Matthew 2:11 (NIV)

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean...on His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Revelation 19:11-14, 16 (NIV)

• Who’s in your manger? A little baby or a King? 

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS TO: 

• Decide which part of the manger scene means the most to me.

• Answer the question: Who’s in my manger?

• Pursue God’s agenda in my life.

• Do this week’s YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan: “The Characters of Christmas”  (5-day plan).