Christmas Family Service
- What is you favourite Christmas story? - examples
- My favourite story - The shepherds watching their flock by night and the heavenly hosts appearing to them
- There has never been another time in history when the heavenly realm was opened to those on earth
- A multitude of angels
- Heaven and earth were to join in harmonious praise
- Not a still or a silent scene like our nativities or carols by candlelight
- A night of great joy and celebration
- Heaven could not keep quiet
- "Glory to God in the Highest"
- Does the advent of Christ Jesus bring joy to your heart?
- Christmas is worth celebrating with all joy and praise
- "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night." (v8)
- The announcement was made in a field outside Bethlehem
- Not in the King's palace or the great temple
- First to poor shepherds
- Why were they the first people to receive the announcement?
- Shepherds were often seen as low and outcasts of society
- God comes to the weak and lowly, the poor and the broken
- Would I have missed out on this wonderful experience if I had been in that field?
- The Kings of Judea sought to kill Jesus
- How would you respond to the message that a King was coming to take rule over your life?
- Many do not want to bow to the King and believe they don't need a Saviour [they do]
- Let us humble ourselves before God and man
- God's glory shone around the angels as they announced great news
- God's glory is always present when the truth of Christ is proclaimed
- Pure radiant brightness
- The shepherds would have surely been filled with awe and great fear
- Are you aware of the presence of God?
- Do not be afraid, "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (v10-11)
- Good tidings of great joy
- We have neglected God choosing to be kings and queens of our own lives
- God could have come in judgment
- God came to bring peace and joy to all people
- Christ came to save - but you must respond to His call of salvation
- Christ came to live a perfect life and die upon the cross in our place
- We praise God for coming to be the Saviour of the world
- Heaven could not contain itself and burst open "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'" - Covid-19 has had a tremendous impact upon us this year
- Listen to God's message - peace on Earth
- Christ Jesus came to bring peace - to all who would receive Him
- Life is difficult and hard
- There is a joy in my heart that is unspeakable - Christ the Prince of Peace
- There is a difference between the Christian and non-Christian in peace
- Have you received Christ as Lord and Saviour?
- If not, call out to Him today
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"Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, Rom 10:13
- Worship Christ the King