I. Scripture Passage

A. Luke 2 (from The Message) – About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancee, who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood before them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!

B. Context – Right now I’d like to invite some folks up to share about their faith.

II. Testimonies

A. Jeryl, Lori, Connie, Joyce

III. Why Bethlehem Matters

A. What happened in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago matters. It matters because the Savior of the world came. It matters because our sins can be forgiven. It matters because hearts and lives can be transformed, as these folks who’ve shared have shown us. Bethlehem matters just as much now as it did over two thousand years ago.

B. The question is: will we choose to receive this gift of God that came down to earth in Bethlehem? Will we choose to have the faith of the youth that shared so boldly at our Christmas musical almost two weeks ago? Will we choose to have the maturity to simply trust God to carry us through like those youth do? Will we have the maturity to do everything we can to build our relationship with Jesus Christ?

C. For me growing up, Christmas was a nice little story about Jesus accompanied by a more important event – opening presents. Did I believe in Jesus? You bet! Did I know Him personally? No. I didn’t get it. I didn’t understand why Bethlehem really matters. Could I have? You bet! When a child is old enough to understand right from wrong, then a child is old enough to understand. You know what I wish now? That I could go back in time, undo a tremendous amount of my life, and choose to start that personal relationship with Jesus. Then I wouldn’t have made many of the terrible mistakes I’ve made. I wouldn’t have hurt many of the people I’ve hurt. I wouldn’t have suffered in many of the ways I’ve suffered. I too often try to make issues of faith in my own life too complicated. Isn’t that funny? I stand up here Sunday mornings under the power of the Spirit declaring the truth of Christ in as simple a way as I can, and I still complicate things too much when it comes to my own personal relationship with Him. You know what? We all do. Every last one of us.

D. But tonight is a new opportunity. We all have a fresh chance to believe Christ, not just believe in Him, like a child, trusting and open to wherever He leads. For some of us, this is a first time to believe. For others, it’s a needed opportunity to bring fresh life into our relationship with Christ. But wherever we’re at in our lives, Bethlehem matters. It matters a lot to those who’ve shared tonight. It matters a lot to the whole world. Do you allow Bethlehem to matter to you?

E. Communion – tonight we’re celebrating the Lord’s Supper, communion, in which we remember the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. It’s kind of funny that we do this on Christmas Eve, but also very appropriate. Jesus came into this life and lived life focused on His death. Bethlehem and Calvary both matter. So let’s celebrate both tonight.

F. Please bow your heads and close your eyes out of respect for each other’s privacy. Let’s take a few quiet moments to thank our Lord for what He did at Bethlehem and at Calvary. Then, when you’re ready, come forward, take the bread and the juice and kneel at the altars. Partake when you’re ready, remembering that the bread symbolizes Jesus gift of His body broken for us, and the juice symbolizes the new covenant with God we have because of His birth and sacrifice. So come forward when you’re ready.

G. Let’s pray.