Good News of Great Joy || Luke 2:1-11
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
“Since Providence, which has ordered all things and is deeply interested in our life, has set in most perfect order by giving us Augustus, whom she filled with virtue that he might benefit humankind, sending him as a savior, both for us and for our descendants, that he might end war and arrange all things, and since he, Caesar, by his appearance (excelled even our anticipations), surpassing all previous benefactors, and not even leaving to posterity any hope of surpassing what he has done, and since the birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning of the good tidings…” - Priene Calendar Inscription
Reflection Question: Who or what represents Caesar in your life today?
Three Titles of the King
1. Savior
2. Christ (Messiah)
3. Lord
The Savior — Zechariah’s Prophecy
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins” (Luke 1:76-77)
Reflection Question: Is Jesus your Savior?
The Christ—Mary’s Song (Luke 1:32-33)
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Reflection Questions:
How does the Christmas story challenge your understanding of what it means to be a King?
How does the promise of Jesus’ eternal kingdom shape your perspective on the struggles and injustices of this world?
The Lord—The Angel’s Declaration (Luke 2:11)
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Reflection Question:
Is it possible that we crown Jesus as Lord of Creation, yet reduce him to an advisor in our own lives?
This is the heart of the gospel: a King who chooses to suffer in order to save His people.
Why is there good news of great joy?
“For unto you is born, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Community Group Questions
Read Luke 2:8-11
• Where do you place your allegiance in the pursuit of peace?
Is it in wealth, status, power, or success? These pursuits may offer a sense of fulfillment, just like Caesar’s reign promised stability to those who conformed.
But what happens when they fail—when wealth doesn’t satisfy, when power slips away, or when the applause dies down?
Like Caesar’s kingdom, these systems offer peace, but only under specific conditions: success if you meet standards, recognition if you belong, security if you follow the rules. But this peace is fragile—built on shifting circumstances.
• Can you share a time when something you relied on for peace—like success or recognition—let you down? How did that experience shape your understanding of true peace?
• How does the angel’s message of peace through Jesus give you hope in times when the world’s peace feels fragile?
Titles of the King
The angel gave three powerful titles for this King of Heaven born in Bethlehem:
1) Savior: Jesus is the one who saves us from our sins, bringing peace through forgiveness and the restoration of our relationship with God.
2) Christ/Messiah: Jesus is the long-awaited King, the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel, who will reign forever on David’s throne, establishing a kingdom marked by justice, mercy, and peace.
3) Lord: Jesus is the ultimate authority, the King of Kings, whose reign will never end. His Lordship is not about power over others, but about restoring all things through love, service, and sacrifice.
How does each title (Savior, Christ, Lord) shape the way you see Jesus in your daily life?
The Good News of Christmas
Jesus, the King of Kings, does not come to impose His rule by force; He comes to offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. His reign does not begin with the pomp and ceremony of a golden crown but with the humility of a crown of thorns. His victory is not won on the battlefield with swords, but on the cross through selfless love. Jesus, the true King, conquers not by dominating, but by humbling Himself, taking on the weight of our sin, and making peace through His sacrificial death.
• Before we pray, share one way today’s discussion has deepened your understanding of Jesus as Savior, Christ, or Lord.
Take some time as a group to prayerfully praise Jesus for the King that he is and the way he has brought you into his kingdom.