1. What Christmas Teach Us About Preparing For The New Year
Luke 2:8-20

2. The Shepherds
Luke 2:8-11 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 of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Shephers were nobodies. Not a popular career choice. Dirty job.

3. The Shepherds
Luke 2: 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, and on earth peace to men 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."
Shephers were nobodies. Not a popular career choice. Dirty job.

4. The Shepherds
Luke 2: 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.
Shephers were nobodies. Not a popular career choice. Dirty job.

5. The Shepherds Low class people Unknown people Undesirable careers
Unpopular occupation
But receives the honor to be the first in receiving the greatest news of Jesus’ birth
Shephers were nobodies. Not a popular career choice. Dirty job.

6. God’s Character(Psa. 113:5-8)
Psalm 113:5-8 (NKJV) Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, [6] Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? [7] He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, [8] That He may seat him with princes-- with the princes of His people.
Mengapa Sorga memilih gembala? Mengapa bukan para bangsawan atau para raja?

7. The ministry of Jesus
John 6:37 (NIV) All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. [38]For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. [39] And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
Para gembala tidak membawa hadiah bagi Yesus, tetapi merekalah yang pertama bertemu Yesus. Baru kemudian pada Majus.
Yesus tidak membedakan kaya dan miskin.
Para Gembala orang Yahudi. Majus bukan Yahudi. Keduanya diterima.
Yesus tidak membedakan suku, bangsa, dan bahasa.
YESUS CINTA SGALA BANGSA

8. Preparing for the New Year
Have a firm hope
Luke 2:8 (NIV)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
The first was to provide by giving a secure place for the sheep. The second was to protect because shepherds would have protected the flock against predators or thieves

9. God’s Promise
Psalm 33:18-22 (NIV) But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, [19] to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. [20] We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. [21] In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. [22] May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

10. Lament. 3:24 The LORD is all I have, and so in him I put my hope.[GNB]
Lament. 3:24 I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Lament. 3:24 The LORD is all I have, and so in him I put my hope.[GNB]
(Rat. 3:24) Deep in my heart I say, "The LORD is all I need; I can depend on him!“ [CEV]
(Rat. 3:24) Jehovah is my portion, says my soul; therefore I will hope in Him.[NKJV]

11. Psalm 62:6-7 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. [7] My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

12. Psa 62:5
Find rest, o my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. [NIV]
God, the one and only-- I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not? [Msg]
Hope is a prerequisite to receiving from God. Hope also enables us to take the second step to receive a fresh touch from God.

13. BREAKING NEWS.
Luke 2:10-11
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
First the angel dispels fear.
Second, the angel dispenses good news.
Third the angel directs the shepherds.
KESUKAAN BESAR oleh karena TELAH LAHIR JURUSELAMAT.

14. The great news of His birth
Fear Not
Great Joy
Christ Is Born
For YOU!
God is not against you; God is for you; God is reaching for you
Jesus is born for you!
God is not against you. GOD IS FOR YOU.
Allah turun menjangkau manusia dengan kasih-Nya. Allah menyentuh manusia dengan damai dan anugerah-Nya. Kemurahan Allah ada pada kita.

15. 2. Take a step of faith 1. Have Firm Hope Luke 2:15
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice. [GNB]
A body without the brain is dead; likewise faith without is works is dead. Dead faith does nothing. You and I need to respond to God’s word, to His message delivered personally to us. Don’t wait for God to surprise you with an angelic announcement. God could surprise us with angels, but more than likely God will communicate to us through our personal times reading the Bible; God will speak to us through our husband or wife; through a friend; through a song or a sunset. God sends His message; are we listening?

17. 1. Have Firm Hope 2. Take A Step Of Faith
3. Have Enthusiasm and Urgency
Luke 2:16
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. [Msg]

18. Jeremiah 29:13-14 (NIV)
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. [14] I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity.

19. God’s Promise
1 John 5:14-15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. [15] And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.
Dr. Clovis Chappell imagines one of the shepherds who had been a youth on the first Christmas night and has now become old. His grandson sits on his knee as he recalls: "A long, long time ago, when I was little more than a boy, I was out on the Judean hills, one night with some other shepherds, keeping watch over the flock. And the angel of the Lord came upon us and the glory of the Lord shone roundabout us. And we were sore afraid, But the angel said, ’Fear not . . .for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord You shall find the babe in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The old man’s lips cease to move, and there is silence. Then the lad turns and looks with wide, puzzled eyes into his grandfather’s face and says: "But, granddaddy, is that all? What did you do when you heard the good news? Was what the angel said really true? Was the Christ Child ever really born?" The old shepherd sadly shakes his white head and answers: "I never knew. I never went to see. Some say that it is all a myth. Others say they found in Him the light of God, the power for life. But for me, I could never be quite sure. I never did go to see."