Topic: Jesus’ Arrival Changes Everything: God’s Wisdom at Christmas- 1
Memory Verse: … ” Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! – Romans 11:33 (NLT).
Text: Isaiah 9:6-7
Spiritual Emphasis: Nowhere is God’s wisdom more apparent than in His plan of redemption. He planned a way for sinful humankind to be saved. To appreciate God’s unfathomable ways, we need look no further than the events of Christmas story when Jesus, His Son came to earth.
- The Place of Jesus’ Birth: God didn’t choose an impressive city as the setting for His Son’s birth, but a town of little to no significance. The name Bethlehem means “house of bread”. Hundreds of years before hand, Micah prophesied God’s choice for the location of the Messiah’s birth. The fact that Mary and Joseph were in Nazareth was no hindrance to God’s plan. He ordained that Caesar Augustus would take a census, requiring everyone to register at the place of their origin. Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem – John 6:35; Micah 5:2; Luke 2:1-7.
- The Incarnation: God’s wisdom is on full display in Jesus’ incarnation. His birth was that of a normal human baby, but His conception was miraculous because He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of a virgin. To be the savior, He had to have the perfection of God, but He needed to be human to identify with humankind and die for their sins. This was the only way to accomplish God’s plan of redemption – Luke 1:26-35.
Questions/Activities: Does seeing God’s wisdom in the events of Christmas bring you comfort?
Conclusion. Knowing that God is guiding our lives and choosing what’s best for us is a great source of comfort and peace. He will always bring about the best outcome – at the right time and in the appropriate way – to achieve His purposes in our lives.
Shalom!
Self-Study: Romans 8:28; Matthew 1:20-21; John 1:29; John 6:35, 51; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:9-11.
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