Go! And… Receive the King! A Christmas Morning All-Age Service
INTRODUCTION – “Go! And… Receive the King!”
Merry Christmas everyone!
Children and adults – welcome! Today we celebrate the greatest birth in history – the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the promised Messiah, our Saviour and our Lord.
This morning our theme in the “Go! And…” series is: Go! And… Receive the King!
Christmas is not just a holiday. It is a divine invitation. God came near. God stepped into our darkness. God became flesh.
Christmas is God saying to all people: “Come and receive My Son.”
Let us hear again the familiar but awesome Christmas account.
Luke 2:8–14 (NLT): “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognise him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’”
Bethlehem – “House of Bread”.
Jesus – the Bread of Life – would be born in a feeding trough.
A manger – Greek: phatne – meaning a feeding stall.
Jesus was laid where animals ate. The humble King came for all, not just the rich or powerful.
Shepherds – the lowest social class in first-century Judea. Nobody trusted them. Yet they were the first to hear and respond.
This reflects God’s heart – to reveal Himself to the humble.
“Good News” – Greek: euangelion – the announcement of victory, salvation, freedom.
The angels preached the Gospel before Jesus preached the Gospel!
“Great joy” – Greek: chara megale – mega joy!
Full, overflowing, unstoppable joy that comes from salvation.
“The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord” – three titles proving the identity of Jesus:
Saviour – rescuer, deliverer from sin
Messiah / Christos – the promised anointed King
Lord – Yahweh, God Himself
Christmas proclaims Jesus is God, born to save sinners.
Point 1: Go! And… Receive the Joyful Good News
The angel said, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”
Joy is not temporary happiness. Happiness depends on circumstances.
Joy comes from knowing God.
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT): “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Christ.
“Wonderful” – Hebrew pele? – supernatural wonder beyond human comprehension.
“Mighty God” – Hebrew El Gibbor – divine warrior-King.
Christmas joy is rooted in Divine sovereignty – God keeps His promises.
Tim Keller said: “The gospel is not good advice to follow; it is good news to believe.”
Christmas isn’t a suggestion to live better. It announces salvation accomplished by Jesus. We receive, not achieve.
For believers today – in a world of fear, war, brokenness – Jesus brings joy that cannot be cancelled by suffering, inflation, political chaos, illness or loss.
CHILDREN & TEENS TALK – “The Gift with Your Name on It”
(Have a wrapped present.)
Children – when you see a present with your name on it – what do you do? You open it!
Imagine someone hands you a gift – beautifully wrapped – and you never open it. That would be silly!
Jesus is God’s gift to us.
Forgiveness is inside.
Heaven is inside.
Real life is inside.
Hope is inside.
But a gift is useless until you receive it.
So this Christmas: open the gift of Jesus.
Trust Him. Follow Him. Love Him. Obey Him.
And teenagers – following Jesus is not boring. It is the greatest adventure. He gives purpose beyond TikTok, popularity, or achievement. He calls you to live for Him.
Point 2: Go! And… Believe in the Saviour who Came to Save
Luke 2:11 says: “The Saviour… has been born today.”
He didn’t come just to inspire – but to save.
Matthew 1:21 (NLT): “...you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
“Jesus” – Hebrew Yeshua / Yehoshua – “Yahweh saves”.
The mission is in His name.
The cross was not Plan B.
The cradle points to the cross.
A lifeguard cannot save a drowning person unless the person stops struggling.
Many people today are spiritually drowning – holding tightly to sin, pride, control.
To be saved, we must surrender.
John Piper wrote: “Christ came into the world to save sinners; Christmas is an indictment before it becomes a delight.”
The manger reveals our need. We need salvation because we are sinners. Christmas confronts before it comforts.
Repentance means turning away from sin and turning to Jesus as Lord. Without repentance there is no salvation.
That is why Christmas demands response.
Point 3: Go! And… Worship the King
Matthew 2:1–2 (NLT): “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.’”
“Worship” – Greek proskyneo – to bow, submit, adore, give allegiance.
The wise men did not come to observe – but to bow.
They travelled far. Worship costs something – time, attention, sacrifice.
Imagine buying a gift for someone important – and when you arrive, others ignore them and talk about themselves.
That happens at Christmas! The world celebrates Christmas but ignores Christ.
Charles Stanley once said: “True worship occurs only when our focus is on God.”
Christmas worship is Christ-centred. We must fix our eyes and hearts on Him.
Worship Jesus this Christmas not only with songs but with obedience, surrender, faith, generosity, repentance and service.
THE GOSPEL – CLEAR AND PASSIONATE:
Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was born of a virgin, lived a perfect sinless life, performed miracles, taught with divine authority, willingly went to the cross, took the punishment for our sin, died in our place, and was buried.
But on the third day He rose bodily from the dead, conquering sin, death, hell and the grave!
He ascended to heaven and will return in glory.
Because of His death and resurrection, forgiveness, salvation and eternal life are available to all who repent and trust in Him.
Christmas without the cross is meaningless sentiment.
Christmas with the cross becomes eternal salvation.
CALL TO ACTION:
This Christmas morning, God calls us:
1. Come to Jesus – repent of sin and trust Him.
2. Worship Jesus – make Him Lord of your life.
3. Share Jesus – go tell others the Good News.
4. Obey Jesus – follow His word and His Spirit.
5. Serve Jesus – give your gifts, time and resources to His mission.
INVITATION TO SALVATION:
If you have never trusted Jesus as your Saviour and Lord – today is the day.
Do not leave the gift unopened.
Pray with me:
“Lord Jesus, I confess I am a sinner. I believe You died for me and rose again. Forgive me. Save me. I turn from my sin and trust You as my Saviour and Lord. I give You my life. Help me follow You all my days. Amen.”
If you prayed that sincerely – tell someone. Begin following Jesus now.
CONCLUSION & BENEDICTION:
Christmas proclaims that God came near.
So Go! And… Receive the King!
May the joy of Christ fill your heart.
May His peace rule your mind.
May His love overflow through your life.
“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Amen.
COMMUNION DEVOTION – “Go! And… Remember the Saviour”
As we come to the Lord’s Table this Christmas morning, we remember that the cradle leads to the cross.
The baby lying in the manger was born to die for us.
Listen to the Apostle Paul’s words:
1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (NLT): For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.’ For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.”
The phrase “given for you” (Greek: hyper hymon – “on behalf of you”) highlights substitution – Jesus took our place.
“New covenant” (Greek: kaine diatheke) means a new relationship made possible through His sacrificial blood.
Communion is a declaration that:
Jesus died for me
Jesus saved me
Jesus is coming again
Christmas celebrates His birth; Communion remembers His death; together they proclaim His mission.
A reflection for all ages
When we receive bread and cup, we receive a reminder:
Jesus gave everything for us.
Our response is worship, surrender, obedience, faith.
A brief self-examination
Before we eat and drink, let us pause.
Is there unconfessed sin?
Bitterness?
Pride?
Are we trusting in Christ alone?
Prayer before elements
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your body broken and Your blood shed for us.
Thank You that the manger leads to the cross and the cross leads to the empty tomb.
Thank You for salvation full and free.
Cleanse us. Renew us. Prepare our hearts as we remember You.
Amen.
(Distribute and partake together – bread then cup.)
Closing Communion affirmation
This Christmas morning, as we remember His birth and His sacrifice, let us commit again to Go! And… Receive the King, follow Him faithfully, and proclaim His salvation until He comes.
Amen.
Suggested Christmas Carols & Songs:
“O Come All Ye Faithful”
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
“Joy to the World”
“Silent Night”
“In Christ Alone”
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
“Light of the World – Tim Hughes”
