CHRISTMAS: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
“I Didn’t Expect A Birth Announcement!”

Pastor Scott Oas | 12.13.2015

1. ATTENTIVE 
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” – Luke 2:8 (NIV)

2. AWED
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” – Luke 2:9 (NIV)

3. ACCEPTED
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” – Luke 2:10 (NIV)

4. ACTED
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” – Luke 2:16 (NIV)

5. ADORED
“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)

GOING DEEPER

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:8-20

GETTING STARTED

In the Nativity account, which of the characters would you most want to be?
Did you ever participate in a nativity play, which part did you play?

A CLOSER LOOK

1. Attentive - Luke 2:8
What stands out to you about the shepherds’ attentiveness?

2. Awed - Luke 2:9
When God meets us he brings us to our knees. On this scale where would you place yourself?

Yielded ___________________________________ Brittle

3. Accepted- Luke 2:10-15 and I Thessalonians 2:13
What do these verses reveal about accepting the word of God in obedience?

4. Acted- Luke 2:16 and James 2:17 both reveal truths about “action.”
What are the benefits to practical action?

5. Adored- Luke 2:20
Why is important for the shepherds to have adored Jesus and not just spread the word? What about for us?

DIGGING DEEPER

What do you think about these statements?
“We’re here today because they couldn’t keep quiet.” (regarding the shepherds)
“A clear evidence of conversion is adoration.”
Which of these statements most challenges you, how & why?

Be attentive to what God has called you to do.
Be awed by God’s message to you.
Accept the gift of good news.
Act on what you know to be true.
Adore Immanuel 24/7