Sunday Bulletin December 21 2025

Sunday Bulletin December 14 2025

Sunday Bulletin December 7 2025

Sunday Bulletin November 30 2025

Craig A. Brittingham
Hillside Baptist Church
December 21, 2025

“The Birth of Christ” – Luke 2:8-20

1A. An angel brought the good news that Christ was born (8-14).
1b. He gave the good news to shepherds who on that night were watching their flocks in the fields outside the city of Bethlehem.
1c. The reaction of the shepherds is what we have come to expect whenever humans encounter angels – they were greatly afraid.
2c. There is another component here that probably contributed to their fear – the glory of the Lord shone around them.
2b. The good news of the birth of Christ came to the Jews first (cf. Acts 13:23, Rom. 1:16-17).
1c. The Jews are indicated by the phrase, “all the people.”
2c. The phrase “born to you” was probably spoken to the shepherds as representing all Israel.
3b. Suddenly, a multitude of angels appeared ascribing glory to God in heaven and announcing peace to men on earth.
1c. Relatives and neighbors rejoiced with Elizabeth at the birth of John (1:57-58).
2c. An army of angels came to earth and praised God at the birth of Christ. (cf. Heb. 1:6)

2A. The shepherds went to see the newborn Christ (15-20).
1b. They believed before they saw!
2b. After they saw Jesus, they made known what they had heard about Him.
1c. He is the Christ.
2c. He is the Lord.

Questions…
1. How did the shepherds react to the angel?
2. What is the glory of God?
3. Who is meant by “all the people” in verse 10? What Biblical truth is indicated?
4. Who are the men of favor in verse 14?
5. Did the shepherds go to Bethlehem that they might see and believe the message they had received from the angel?
6. What was the sign given to them? What was the purpose of the sign?
7. How does Luke in this passage indicate that Jesus is superior to John? Compare 1:57-58.