If you watched the Kids’ Sunday School lesson yesterday on my Youtube channel, I mentioned that I’d be posting the Family Devotion for this week based on the hymn, Hark! The Herald Angles Sing.
Family Devotional Christmas Week
Setting the Table… (Attention grabber)
Make a list of all the places where you’ve seen angels. (at the top of the tree, ornaments, in Christmas plays, nativity displays, angel shaped cookie cutters, etc.)
Digging in…
Angels are a popular symbol during Christmas and for good reason. An angel appeared to Zacharias to tell him he’d have a son named John who would prepare the way for the Messiah. An angel told Mary she was favored and chosen. An angel told Joseph not to be afraid, but to marry Mary because the baby she was carrying was God’s Son.
In today’s devotional, we will hear about another angel’s visit and message.
Read Luke 2: 8-12.
After Jesus was born, an angel appeared to the shepherds. What was the angel’s message?
Do you find it interesting that God chose to make that first birth announcement to lowly shepherds? Why do you think He did it that way?
Over and over, God has shown that He came for all people – not just the rich and famous. He chose to make Jesus’ birth announcement not to the King or high official, but to shepherds out in a quiet field at night.
Re-read Luke 2:10 and fill in the blank.
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to _____ people.”
The missing word is – ALL.
God sent Jesus to die for the sings of ALL mankind, no matter who you are or how rich or poor. Christ came for everyone.
God’s love is not dependent on you. He loves you unconditionally. He was born for the purpose of dieing – for you! Because He loves you that much and wants to be with you forever in heaven.
This is a free gift. But, you have to accept it. You have to believe Jesus did this for you. Be honest about your sin and repent. Tell God you want Him as LORD of your life and want to live for him.
Read Romans 6:23.
After the angel spoke, suddenly many angels appeared and began to praise God.
Read Luke 2:13-14.
What words did the angels use when praising God? “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
Read or sing the lyrics from the hymn, Hark the Herald Angles Sing.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With th’angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ by highest heav’n adored,
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Read Luke 2:15-20.
The shepherds hurried to see the Savior that the angel had announced. What about their sheep? They recognized the importance of this event and nothing else mattered at that moment. How many things do we put before going to see Jesus each day in prayer and Bible reading. Should we also drop everything to spend time with Him?
What did they do after they saw baby Jesus? (verse 17)
They went and made widely known what the angel had told them – that the Savior of the world had been born.
How did the people who heard respond? (verse 18)
They marveled. They were surprised, filled with wonder and hope. The long awaited for Messiah that they had read about in the Old Testament had finally come!
TAKE AWAY TRUTH: God sent His only Son Jesus to satisfy the penalty for our sin because He loves us.
Dessert…
Like the shepherds, make the good news about Jesus’ widely known (verse 17) by handing out candy canes with these cards taped on.
Get the candy cane printable cards here:
Watch the Sunday School lesson for this week, here: