Objects needed: An angel ornament, or picture of an angel
Theme/Main Idea: Just as the angels announced the good news of Jesus birth to the shepherds, we can tell others about why we really celebrate Christmas. There are plenty of people out there that don’t really know, and we can point them to Jesus! 
Presentation:
“Who here likes to tell other people good news? I know I do. It’s fun to share a message with someone when you know it’s going to encourage them, make them happy, or give them a reason to celebrate. So, if you like to share good news, and I like to share good news, I am guessing that almost everyone does. And, on that first Christmas Eve, there was some very good news to tell. But, before I get ahead of myself, maybe you would like to see what I brought for the object lesson today?
[take out angel ornament]
Yes! It’s an angel. The angels on that first Christmas Eve got to share some very good news. Do you remember what it was? The angel told the shepherds,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. It will bring great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. Here is how you will know I am telling you the truth. You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
This news did bring great joy to all the people! They had been waiting for a LONG time for the Messiah, God’s chosen messenger, to come. I am not sure they understood fully that not only would the Messiah be a messenger for God, but that he would be God himself—the Lord!
That’s the best and greatest news of all: that God came to us as a baby. Jesus came to live with us and to experience everything it means to be a human being. And, just as the shepherds were told to go and see and THEN to go and tell, we are asked to do the same.
It’s good that we have come together tonight to celebrate Jesus’ birth. The shepherds, too, went to the stable and found the baby Jesus. But—and this is important—the shepherds didn’t stay at the stable. They left there and told anyone that would listen about what they had seen and heard. And, the Bible says, all were amazed to hear the story. I think if we trust God enough to share the story, too, we might find that there are more people out there willing to listen and be amazed as well.
Let’s pray:
God, thank you for giving us Jesus. You have entrusted to us the very best news in all the world—You love us so much You sent your Son to be with us! Christmas is not just about presents and lights, it’s about the joy that comes from knowing that we are loved by You. That is great news, and we hope that we can share this news with others so that all can share in our joy! In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Key Text: Luke 2:1-20, (NIrV)
In those days, Caesar Augustus made a law. It required that a list be made of everyone in the whole Roman world. 2 It was the first time a list was made of the people while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone went to their own town to be listed.
4 So Joseph went also. He went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea. That is where Bethlehem, the town of David, was. Joseph went there because he belonged to the family line of David. 5 He went there with Mary to be listed. Mary was engaged to him. She was expecting a baby. 6 While Joseph and Mary were there, the time came for the child to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first baby. It was a boy. She wrapped him in large strips of cloth. Then she placed him in a manger. That’s because there was no guest room where they could stay.
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