Luke 2:1-20
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,[fn] who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold,[fn] an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
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.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely[fn] known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
“Caesar Says” Game
Have all the children in class stand up facing you. Explain to them that every time you say “Caesar Says” they need to copy an action you demonstrate for them. If they copy your action without you saying "Caesar Says" they have to sit down until the game is over. Make the actions you model for the children as silly as possible, it will be a reference point for the lesson.
LESSON TIME!
Today we will learn about the most wonderful, glorious, stupendous event of all time! The Messiah, The coming of Jesus, who was sent to take away the sins of the world, is the most important event ever, and whether or not we let him come into our hearts is the most important decision we can ever make.
LUKE 2:1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
What was the world like at the time of Jesus’ birth? Caesar Augustus was the first Emperor of Rome. He might have been called “king,” but the reign of a king is temporary. Caesar Augustus was the emperor, ruler of the entire known world; he desired all power and wanted people to think of him as a god. But we know there is only one true God, Jesus Christ, who was about to be born into the world to save us from our sins.
God is in control of all things.
Ask the children to think about the game played at the beginning of class, “Caesar Says.” Remind them of the silly things they had to do to stay in the game, all because “Caesar Says.”
During the time of Caesar Augustus, people had to do what “Caesar Says” just to stay alive.
Caesar was master of the world, and it was in those days that Jesus was born. It was one of the darkest hours our world has ever known. No one could choose or decide things for themselves; no one could disagree with Caesar. In order to be counted and taxed, Caesar made everyone in the entire known world travel to the place where their family lived.
This is what Joseph and Mary had to do when they traveled to Bethlehem to be counted in the census.
Caesar thought that he had the greatest position, the grandest place, and the highest throne, but he was wrong. Jesus was about to be born; the only one worthy of that place.
Who is in control of all things?
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
Joseph had to go to Bethlehem, the city his family was from. Joseph was a descendant of King David. He had to travel from his home in Nazareth all the way to the little town of Bethlehem. Today that trip would only take a couple of hours by car. But on that day, it probably took about 5 days because they had to walk.
Where Did You Come From?
Tell the children a little bit about your family heritage and where you are from.
So from my house in Hesperia to where I was born is a 40-hour drive and 2734 miles, to walk it would take 886 hours or 111 days to walk. Or almost 4 months to get there.
So think how hard it would have been for Mary because she was 9 months pregnant with Jesus.
Mary traveled with Joseph to Bethlehem. She was engaged to him and was considered a part of his family. She was also a descendant of King David.
It was very close to the time she would give birth to her baby, but she had to obey the Roman Emperor as well. Caesar Augustus thought he was the supreme ruler of the world, but he was actually being used by God to bring about the fulfillment of prophecy. God intended all along for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem.
Who is in Control?
So Mary and Joseph traveled to be registered. Young Mary, carrying in her womb the very Son of God, and Joseph, the man who loved her and assumed the responsibility of caring for her and her unborn baby, together traveled the hard journey to Bethlehem, just as God wanted.
6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to deliver her baby.
While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Jesus to be born, just as God had planned. The Bible tells us that there was no room for them in the inn.
It is interesting that when Jesus arrived there was no room for Him. Hopefully, there is room for Him in our hearts.
What is an inn?
We may think it was like a little hotel, but it was not. It was probably four walls with no roof that a traveler could drive his cattle into for the night or rest in himself. An Inn had no food, no innkeeper, and no provisions, just some water. The Bible tells us that even in this sparse enclosure, there was no room for Jesus to be born.
Mary’s time to deliver her baby had come, and they had to find a place for her. Jesus, the King of kings, was to be born that night in Bethlehem. There was no palace for Him, no hotel, not even room in a lowly Inn enclosure.
Have you ever had things happen that you didn’t understand? Maybe Joseph and Mary didn’t understand why they couldn’t find a place for Jesus to be born. But no doubt, they just placed their trust in the Lord to provide.
Jesus was born and laid in a manger. A manger is just a feeding trough; a place where animals ate their food. This manger was probably in some little outside shelter or cave, even more, lowly than an Inn. Jesus Christ the King of kings and the Lord of lords was not born in an emperor’s court or a king's palace or even an Inn, but He was born in a stable and laid in a manger.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shined around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
Who knows where Mary and Joseph were when Jesus was born?
Where did Mary lay, Jesus, after he was born?
On the night of Jesus’ birth, there were shepherds watching their sheep in the fields of Bethlehem. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord was shining all around them. These were just ordinary shepherds, but God chose to reveal the glory of His Son’s coming to them first.
Sometimes, like the shepherds, we might be afraid, but God is in control of all things. We do not need to be afraid of anything. This angel (which means “messenger”) had a very special message.
Good news, to “all” people, means God is our salvation.
11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
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.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely[fn] known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Recap! Good News is? = God is our salvation
How did Jesus save us?
Pray~
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