This sermon outline was the first in Celebration Church’s CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED series. I hope you will find it helpful if you’re planning a Christmas sermon.
Luke 2:8-14
Angel – “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” (Luke 2:8-14 NKJV)
- The announcement of Jesus’ birth is a cause for great joy for all people.
- Isaac Watts – “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!”
- Jesus’ birth wasn’t just a message of joy for the privileged or powerful but was intended for all people because God’s love and salvation is available to everyone.
- “And she will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
- The presence of Jesus brings a fullness of joy that is unmatched, a divine companion that transforms our lives forever.
- “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.” (Psalm 16:11)
- We should always celebrate the Lord and His goodness, but we should especially do so on Christmas.
Christmas is a Time To:
CELEBRATE THAT GOD LOVES US
- God’s Love Is Demonstrated to Us Through Jesus’ Birth
- Jesus – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, NKJV)
- The Birth of Christ Embodies God’s Love For Us Because Through Jesus we have eternal life, everlasting hope, and life transformation.
- “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love-not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)
- Christmas is a Celebration of God’s Love for Us Through His Gift of Jesus.
- “God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8)
- Karl Barth – “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
- Question – How does the realization that God loves you change your perspective of Christmas?
Christmas is a Time To:
CELEBRATE THAT GOD IS WITH US
- “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:23)
- When we understand that Jesus, who is Immanuel, is God dwelling with humanity, it transforms the meaning of Christmas from a historical event to a living reality.
- “So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (John 1:14)
- God is not distant from us but is always with us, even in the darkest times and most challenging situations.
- “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2)
- Jesus – “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
- Just as He promises to be with us through deep waters, His presence provides hope and strength during life’s struggles.
- Question – “How does the promise of “God being with you” change your perspective of Christmas?
Christmas is a Time To:
CELEBRATE THAT GOD IS FOR US
- God has great plans for our lives and they are always good.
- “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)
- “This is what the Lord says: ‘You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.” (Jeremiah 29:10b)
- God’s presence means we have His support, guidance, and love no matter what challenges we may be facing.
- “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
- Even in trying times, we can live in the confidence and peace that comes from knowing that the Creator of the Universe is on our side.
- Question – How does knowing that God is for you change your perspective on Christmas?
- “The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (Psalm 118:6)
Because God loves us, we are wanted.
Because God is with us, we are never abandoned.
Because God is for us, our future is secured.
* Image courtesy of Tomos Tokos
•• Summary quote courtesy of Dr. Page Brooks catching
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