To follow along, you can access the devotion here.

For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.

• Adore God (tell Him how wonderful He is).
• Ask God (to encourage and lift up your heart.

Suggested Hymns

• O Come All Ye Faithful
• The First Noel
• O Come O Come Emmanuel
• O Holy Night

Pick one, or both, to discuss

• What do you share when asked at holiday gatherings, "What's new?"
• When have you had really good news and how did it make you feel?

Luke 2:8-20:

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Take a few minutes to walk through these questions. The goal is to be reminded that the good news can bring great joy to all who encounter Jesus.

• Why would the shepherd be afraid (v. 9)?
• In v. 10-11, the angels proclaim the gospel to the shepherds. What is the good news? What does it bring? Who is it for?
• What is the reaction of the angels, shepherds, Mary, and anyone else who heard it (v. 10-20)?
• Why would the "good news" bring joy, peace, amazement, treasuring, singing, praising, or glorifying?
• What have you seen the gospel (good news) bring to your life or others?
• What would you like to see Jesus do in your life this year?

Suggested Hymns

• O Come All Ye Faithful
• The First Noel
• O Come O Come Emmanuel
• O Holy Night

• Confess your need for a savior
• Give Thanks to Jesus, who loves us so much he'd come to us, even while sinners, to save us.

Liturgy for Embracing Both Joy & Sorrow from the Book Every Moment Holy, Volume 2: Death, Grief, & Hope. Copyright © 2020 Douglas Mckelvey. For more information about this liturgy, visit everymomentholy.com.

To follow along, you can access the devotion here.

For more resources or to learn more about Hope Community Church, visit hopecc.com.