Just imagine... the creator of the whole universe crafted and designed you. Before you were born, He wrote out a plan for your life. He placed talents, desires, and potential within you. Not only this, He assigned to you people and ministry opportunities throughout your life. Do you realize the magnitude of that? The creator of the whole universe trusts you to be His minister to those you encounter! How are you doing? Are you living the life that God has planned for you? Or are you fearful to step out, thinking that you may not have what it takes to accomplish things for the Lord?

Or you may be wondering... what is God's will for my life? Knowing God's will is actually easier than you might think. His will is that everyone would believe in Jesus as Savior (John 6:40). According to 1 Thessalonians 4:3, God's will is that be sanctified - living a holy life for Him. In 5:18 of the same book, we are told that God's will is that we would be thankful people. Romans 12:1-2 tells us that God's will is that we present ourselves to God to be used for His service, refusing to conform to the patterns of this world. Now that we know all this, how are you doing?

Luke 2:1-21

The city of Bethlehem is in Israel and located in the northernmost part of Judah just south of the great city of Jerusalem. It has had its moments of prominence throughout history yet at the time of Jesus’ birth, it was nothing significant- just a normal city lost in the shadow of the most prominent city in that area. Yet, brewing under its mundane day-to-day existence lived a promise - a promise of massive importance that this place would again have meaning because the long-awaited Messiah would be born in its midst.

Bethlehem is an ideal that fits the mold of how God works. He seems to relish taking things that seem of little value to the world and making them of great value. He tends to bring beauty to places where the outside world would look and say that no beauty exists there. Here in this town that seems like an ordinary town, yet the most extraordinary thing would happen there.

Bethlehem gives all of us faith in God that He can use any circumstance. While our lives may feel mundane, ordinary, and at times, even discarded - we serve a God who is in the business of bringing life out of the people and the places that can be looked over. Whatever you are going through this Advent season, God sees. Whatever you are facing, God is greater than any circumstance. Wherever you feel beat down and worn out, God can restore you. Wherever you feel lost, God is looking and wants to bring life. We all are a discarded city, but we serve a God full of incredible promises and hope. The Messiah has come to you, let us rejoice because He has come to bring life.

Bethlehem cries out to all of us not to give up. Bethlehem stands as a beacon on a hill of a God that delivers. Yet Bethlehem also whispers in our ears that there is hope and peace. Bethlehem now eternally stands as a city of redemption. Don’t give up. God is with you. He is the redeemer. Bethlehem is a reminder of the faith we can have in Christ.

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:11-14)

Application Questions

1. Faith means, “complete trust or confidence in something or someone.” What or who do you have faith in?
2. How do you see faith in the story of Jesus’ birth?
3. What circumstances in your life can God use to share your faith with others?

Next Steps

• Bethlehem was a beacon on a hill, a light to the world. Hop in the car and drive around to look at Christmas lights together.
• Read the Christmas story together and identify themes of faith (Luke 2:1-21).
• Light an Advent candle and talk about Faith.