O Little Town of Bethlehem! - FMC

Message Notes (Download Here)

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Part 3 in the series A Thrill of Hope!

The Christmas story is a story of God using insignificant things.

1. God used an insignificant _____________.

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.

Micah 5:2 (NLT)

2. God used an insignificant ______________.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!

But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.

Galatians 4:4 (NLT)

The Christmas story is the single most significant event in human history.

1. Jesus was born to _____________ us!

How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.

“The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

Luke 2:11 (NLT)

2. Jesus was born to ______________ us!

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5 (NLT)

Deeper Dive Notes (Download Here)

Deeper Dive - O Little Town of Bethlehem

Part 3 in the series: A Thrill of Hope!

The Christmas story is a story of God using insignificant things.

1. God used an insignificant city.

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.

Micah 5:2 (NLT)

Thoughts and questions for discussion: This little rural community, with the name meaning, “house of God”, was an insignificant town until this prophecy and Christ Jesus’ birth. God has always used the least to draw people to Himself. God is saying time and time again, He will use anyone and everyone to make a kingdom impact. What are some of the cities in history that meant nothing or no one knew of until God used the people of that city? How did he use them?

2. God used an insignificant couple.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!

But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.

Galatians 4:4 (NLT)

Thoughts and questions for discussion: A poor young carpenter scraping supplies together to build a house and a teenage girl betrothed to him. This could be any of our friends and God sends His son to be born through them; to become a human example and share in their destitute struggle. Yet, they never complained. Joseph got scared, who wouldn’t? In addition to their situation, Mary’s cousin just gave birth to John the Baptist. Look at God’s track record for couples and this is really par for the course! God asked the willing to do the extraordinary. When and who have you seen God at work in your life?  Who are some of the other couples that God arranged? (Hint look at the lineage of Christ Jesus)

The Christmas story is the single most significant event in human history.

1. Jesus was born to save us!

How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.

“The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

Luke 2:11 (NLT)

Thoughts and questions for discussion: The hardest hurdle to clear in believing in Jesus is that we need a savior. We think we have it covered. We over look the need to have a blood sacrifice for our simplest sins. We can’t cover it. We are blemished because of our sins. But Jesus came to save us. He was unblemished by sin. Born of a woman, therefore missing out on the curse of sin. But knowing from a young age he was to die for all. There is hope in this hopeless world because of His great arrival and sacrifice. How do you find hope in Jesus’ sacrifice?

2. Jesus was born to sanctify us!

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5 (NLT)

Thoughts and questions for discussion: Sanctification; to be made Holy – big word, bigger meaning. By accepting what He has done and following His example we can work out our sanctification. His Spirit will guide us and be the true power of our change. Our goal is to remain in Christ Jesus. How do you see that as something that can be done daily? What are you doing to stay in Christ?