Wow, a Baby! – December 25, 2024

Read: Luke 2:1-20

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:11,12

Wow, a Baby!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The angels appeared to the shepherds in the fields. The glory of the Lord shone around them. They said to the terrified shepherds, “Do not be afraid! A Savior has been born to you! He is Christ, the Lord!”

That would have been hard for the shepherds to believe. So, the angels gave the shepherds a sign, a miracle, to help them believe a Savior had been born for them.

What kind of sign should they give? A giant fireworks show that everyone in the world could see? An army of angels blowing trumpets around the world? Some miracles like Moses did long before, with water turning to blood and seas splitting in half? Those would make people sit up and say, “Wow!”

Nope. The angels said, “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

“Here’s your big miracle to prove what we are saying to you is true: It’s… a baby!”

“Oh… a baby… that’s great… wow… very amazing…”

What do you think? Do you ever wish God would show you big, amazing miracles to prove he is real? Do you wish that God would send an angel choir like he did on Christmas so that it is easier for you to believe?

God doesn’t do that. He gives you the same simple sign that he gave the shepherds: “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Here’s the big, amazing sign God gives to you so you can believe: God came into this world and became truly human, just like you, a baby, just like you were once, so he could save people just like you. It may not be a miracle like splitting a sea in half, but it’s just the miracle you and the shepherds needed.

You can see that by the reaction of the shepherds and of everyone they told! “When they had seen him (the baby), they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” They were amazed! We are, too. “Wow, a baby! A Savior, born like us, born for us, to save us all.”

Closing Prayer:

O then rejoice that through his Son, God is with
sinners now at one; made like yourselves of
flesh and blood, your brother is th’ eternal God.
(Christian Worship: Hymnal – 335:3)

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Who appeared to the shepherds in the fields?
• What sign did the angels give them?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why was Jesus born as a human baby just like us?
• How can you share the story of Jesus’ birth with your friends?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What are some simple signs God gives us in church that Jesus is our Savior?
• Think of a friend or family member who doesn’t know Jesus. Practice explaining in a couple sentences why you celebrate Jesus’ birth.