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In a small town, every Christmas Eve, an elderly man named Mr. Finch would distribute handmade wooden toys to children who had nothing. His simple act of kindness always filled the children with joy, but one year, he got sick and was unable to provide gifts. That Christmas morning, the children surprised him with a beautiful ornament they had crafted to show their love. This act reflected the true spirit of Christmas: hope and joy shared through grace, transforming not just the giver, but the receiver too. ‌ ‌ During these past few weeks, we have shared some wonderful moments in anticipation of this Christmas message. We have looked closely into the themes of hope, joy, salvation, and the birth of Christ, emphasizing God's fulfilled promises and the joy of His coming. ‌ Christmas is not just a celebration but as a deep, transformative experience of God's grace and love. It encourages us to reflect on the joy brought by Jesus' birth, igniting hope in times of struggle and pointing to the possibility of new beginnings. ‌ The message teaches that Christmas is more than tradition; it embodies the fulfillment of God's promises and the revelation of His grace. We are reminded that salvation is a gift and should inspire living out the joy of Christ's coming in daily life. ‌ Christ is the fulfillment of the prophecies of Isaiah, the hope of the psalmist, the grace described in Titus, and the incarnate Savior of the nativity story in Luke. Each of our readings today point to aspects of His character and mission in the world. ‌ Christmas is a celebration of hope and joy that transforms lives, rooted in the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who brings grace and new beginnings to all believers. ‌ ‌ 1. God’s Unwavering Watchfulness ‌ Isaiah 62:6–9 “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth. The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “Never again will I give your grain as food for your enemies, and never again will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled; but those who harvest it will eat it and praise the Lord, and those who gather the grapes will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.”” ‌ In the days of old, towns would place ancient watchmen on high lookout posts. One of these watchmen, a humorous fellow named Eli, would weave tales to keep the spirits up during long watches. One fateful night, while sharing a story about the dawn, he spotted an approaching storm. His alertness protected the townsfolk from harm. Isn't it reassuring that God has similar watchmen watching over us? His faithfulness is a guardian against life’s unexpected storms. ‌ ‌ 2. Prepare the Pathway ‌ Isaiah 62:10–12 “Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations. The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’ ” They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.” ‌ As the decorations go up and the lights twinkle, we often think of Christmas as a time of joy. Isaiah 62:10-12 speaks of a glorious promise, where God tells His people to prepare the way for His coming. Imagine a family wrapping gifts, each one representing the joy of hope and love that Christ brings to our lives. Just as they can't wait to see the smiles on their loved ones' faces, God eagerly awaits our joy and celebration of His gift to humanity. ‌ The best Christmases often evoke memories of joy-filled gatherings and laughter. Isaiah 62:10-12 captures a similar excitement as it describes God's intent to restore and rejoice over His people. Just as cities come alive during the festive season with joy and celebration, God is depicted as rejoicing over us like a proud parent. It's like trying to find the perfect gift; God’s joy in our redemption is the ultimate present, revealing how deeply He values us. ‌ Picture a child waiting for Christmas morning, filled with anticipation. This is similar to what Isaiah 62:10-12 conveys about God’s heart. Here He is, calling us to prepare the way and usher in His joy. Hypothetically speaking, if we were to embody that excitement, how would we share that joy with others? Just as a child swims in delight at the thought of gifts, we can bask in the expectation of God’s love, which arrives with the Christmas season. ‌ Isaiah 62:10-12 reminds us of how the Christmas story is about new beginnings, marked by God's grace and joy. When Christ was born, joy was as palpable as the star shining over Bethlehem. Just as the angels announced His arrival with exuberance, we celebrate every time we acknowledge His presence in our lives. Like a shepherd proud of their flock, God delights in us, and that joy is the true essence of Christmas—connecting heaven and earth in love. ‌ ‌ 3. Proclaim His Kingship ‌ Psalm 97 “The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory. All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols— worship him, all you gods! Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, Lord. For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.” ‌ Imagine standing outside on a snowy night. The moonlight glistens on the fresh snow, creating a scene that feels almost magical. Similarly, Psalm 97 paints a picture of God's majesty lighting up the world, just as the birth of Jesus illuminated the darkness of our lives. Both reveal a profound joy and hope, like a crisp Christmas morning filled with light and laughter. ‌ Think back to the first Christmas. As the shepherds looked up, the night sky exploded with radiant angels announcing 'good news'! The brightness echoed the imagery in Psalm 97, where ‘light is sown for the righteous.’ Just as the star guided the wise men, Psalm 97 tells us God’s light guides us through our darkest times, filling our hearts with joy and hope. ‌ Imagine a world immersed in darkness, but out of nowhere, a dazzling light bursts forth! Psalm 97 describes mountains melting like wax at the presence of the Lord—a powerful reminder of how Christ’s birth broke through our darkness with joy. Just as that imagery inspires awe, it reminds us that Jesus' arrival into our world heralded light and joy for all who believe. ‌ ‌ 4. Gift of Grace Renewed ‌ Titus 3:4–7 “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” ‌ ‌ During the Great Depression, a pastor recalled families gathering for Christmas dinner with empty plates and hearts. But instead of despair, they began to sing hymns and share stories of hope and faith. This spirit of togetherness turned a bleak holiday into one of joy and love, reminding everyone that Christmas is not about material gifts but about the grace that Jesus brings into our lives—transforming us into a community that truly uplifts each other, giving birth to new beginnings even in difficult times. ‌ We can all receive an undeserved grace given through Jesus. This is the heart of the Christmas message. God’s grace is revealed in Jesus’ birth, which offers renewal and hope. By understanding this grace, we should cherish the gift of salvation and reflect the kindness of Christ in our lives. ‌ 5. Joy of the Nativity ‌ Luke 2:1–20 “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause grea…” ‌ ‌ ‌ In Luke 2:10, the angel announced to the shepherds, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.' This announcement transformed these humble men from fear to hope as they witnessed the birth of Christ. Their lives shifted from mere existence to one filled with purpose as they shared the news of Jesus with others. This illustrates how the birth of Jesus at Christmas is meant to transform lives, bringing joy and hope not just to us, but also through us to the world. ‌ Many of us spend a lot of time preparing for annual Christmas family get-togethers. Everyone is bustling. Others more humbly celegrate—just a few decorations and some local folks. Yet, amidst the chaos, the modest of get-togethers celebrates in perhaps a much truer form. That's the essence of the nativity! A simple birth in a stable brought joy to the entire world, reminding us that great things often come from the humblest beginnings. God’s grace offers joy through our humble witness! ‌ ‌ ‌ This Christmas, take a moment to share a word of encouragement or a smile with those around you. Perhaps you could offer to carry someone's shopping bags or assist someone who looks overwhelmed. Add a simple greeting that conveys the hope and joy of Christ this season, such as, 'May your holiday be filled with peace and joy from above.' Your small gestures can reflect the love of our Savior. ‌ This Christmas, gather your family together and create a safe space to share your feelings. Use this time to express hopes for healing and joy in your relationships. After sharing, read a Bible passage that speaks of peace, such as Philippians 4:6-7, and pray together for grace to bring transformation into your home. ‌ Philippians 4:6–7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ‌ Commit to acts of kindness towards one another throughout the season. This practice will remind everyone that Christmas is about forgiveness and new beginnings. ‌ ‌ ‌ Christmas is a celebration of hope and joy that transforms lives, rooted in the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who brings grace and new beginnings to all believers. ‌ How can we embody the spirit of hope and joy that Mr. Finch exemplified in our own lives this Christmas? ‌ What practical steps can we take to share the joy of Christ’s coming with those around us? ‌ In what ways can we prepare our hearts to receive God’s transformative grace this Christmas? ‌ How does recognizing the humility of Christ's birth impact your understanding of His kingship and grace? ‌ What does it mean to you personally that Jesus’s birth was an act of grace offered freely, not based on our righteousness? ‌ How can we create new traditions that reflect the true essence of Christmas as a time of joy and transformation? ‌ What is one act of kindness you could commit to during this holiday season to reflect God's love? ‌ In what specific ways can your family share the message of hope found in Luke 2 with your community this Christmas? ‌ Reflecting on Titus 3:4-7, how can we extend grace to others in our interactions this season? ‌ What steps can you take to ensure that your celebration of Christmas fosters joy and connection rather than stress?