Happy New Year!

Just a reminder, B Groups will not meet on January 1, 2017. We will have worship services at 8:30 (Celebration in Worship Center North) and at 11:00 (Doxa in Worship Center South and Hispanic in Memorial Chapel). There will be no 11:00 Celebration Service in Worship Center North.

 Where was Jesus born?

Jesus was born in Bethlehem as  God promised.

Why did the wise men visit Jesus?

The wise men came to worship Jesus as King.

Merry Christmas! Thank you for continuing this journey of The Gospel Project^® for Kids. Sunday’s Bible account focuses on a pivotal moment in human history. God had promised to send a Messiah to redeem sinners. God had sent angels to announce to Mary and Joseph their special part in His plan. But what about Micah’s prophecy that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem? Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth.

God is in control of all things. It was not just by chance that Caesar Augustus called for a census. God used a pagan emperor to bring about His plan and brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem at just the right time, under just the right circumstances. Jesus was no ordinary baby. He is God’s Son, sent in the most humble of circumstances, “not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).

While Bethlehem slept, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to shepherds nearby. The Bible says the shepherds were terrified! But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David” (Luke 2:10-11).

The people of Israel were well aware of their need for a Savior. They made sacrifices daily to atone for their sin. Finally, a Savior had come who would be the perfect sacrifice for sin, once and for all. Jesus is also Messiah the Lord. The word Messiah means “anointed one,” especially a king. Jesus the Deliverer and Redeemer would be King over His people.

Preschoolers will hear the Bible account of wise men who travelled from a distant land in order to find the King who had been born. Have you ever found it interesting that God revealed to the wise men—pagan priests and astrologers—that the Savior had been born? Jesus was King, but not in the way these men likely thought. The wise men brought gifts to worship Jesus. We too need to give all of our worship to Jesus Christ. God sent Jesus to earth to be the Savior of all people, and He deserves the praise we give Him.

The birth of Jesus was good news! Jesus was not an ordinary baby. He is God’s Son, sent to earth from heaven. The purpose of Jesus’ birth was twofold: to bring glory to God, and to make peace between God and those who trusted in Jesus’ death and resurrection to provide salvation. Jesus came into the world to save people from their sins and to be our King.

 

What part did Mary and Joseph have in God's plan?

God chose Mary and Joseph to be 

the earthly parents of Jesus. 

 

Many of God's prophets talked about Jesus before He was born. Everything they said about Jesus was true. Before He created the world, God planned to send Jesus. Jesus came to do God's plan, to rescue people from sin.