We spend so much time building up to, anticipating, and preparing for Christmas. And every year, Christmas comes and goes. But how much time do we spend pondering Christmas once it is passed? This is an important question because if we stop pondering Christmas, we can begin to lose sight of why Christmas is important in the first place.

In a world that seems hopeless, where do find hope? It's found on the night it went down--on that first Christmas where God came down in flesh and blood to be your savior! Enjoy this Christmas Eve Sermon based on Luke 2:1-20.

When we feel as though we've fallen out of favor with God, it is natural to think that we can and must try and earn that favor back. Even when the Word of God assures you that "you are highly favored," we doubt that promise and think that we can and must earn favor with God. But through the interaction between the angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary, we are shown 1)how we have favor with God; 2) how we are to react to that great news.

Since the fall into sin, God has been moving, promising, acting, and pointing to one thing—the salvation he would win through the coming Messiah. When John the Baptizer, the forerunner, arrived, he faithfully and humbly carried out his calling—he pointed people forward. But people weren’t satisfied with John or his message. They weren’t satisfied with who he was pointing to.

Can the same be said about us? Are we satisfied with what Christmas points us to—the Light that dispels the darkness of our sin? Or, would we be more satisfied if Christmas was only a little religious; a little more lights and gifts than the manager and worship? What do we want for Christmas?

How do you prepare for Christmas? Most of us put up a tree with lights and ornaments. We make travel plans or get the house ready to receive company. We procure gifts for the people on our lists. But is that the way we really should be preparing for the day that changed history and our etenity. John the Baptist came with a message of preparation–one that is meant to prepare our hearts!

"The Lord Provides" is an anthem for the life of Abraham. Throughout his entire life, the Lord provided for Abraham both physically and spiritually. When we, as Christian, evaluate our lives, there can moments when we think that the Lord is not providing for us. But, even in those moments, the Lord still provides–even in ways we wouldn't and couldn't plan for ourselves.

The entire life of the Christian can be summed up as a life lived between the now and the not yet. As God's children, we eagerly wait for Jesus to return and bring us home to be with him. But until that day comes, Jesus calls us to be preparing our hearts now. And in Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus warns about the dangers of failing to prepare now.

So much of life can pass by without much pause for the hugely serious. It can seem a bit easier to walk through life not talking about or finding answers to questions regarding God, death, and what happens next. Although that may seem simpler, there comes a time when we must have some kind of hope that doesn’t disappoint…some kind of peace that lasts. What is that for you? Whatever it is, it needs to be something to which you point and say, “This is it.” And in both what God says and how he says it shows God’s solution to that eternal dilemma. And it’s more than you might anticipate.

For whom is God’s grace meant? Scripture says it’s for all. And if God’s grace is for all, then it’s for you. But that also means God’s grace is for the person who has done incredible wrong by our own measures. This seems like a contradiction, and it definitely isn’t fair. But, what if…what if that’s the point. What if this apparent contradiction and unfair nature is what makes grace, well, grace?

"How do I stand right before God?” This is the one big idea and question that is above and

beyond all others. To stand right before God, is there something, even in the slightest, I

must do? Or prove? Or decide? This question has done more than just impact those who

are Christians. It is at the heart of the struggle of every single person, including you. There

are only two ways to answer this question: one relies on you; one relies on God. One brings

burden and uncertainly; one brings comfort and peace. How do you answer the question

that is above all others?