Introduction

Greetings, beloved family of Christ. As we gather together in His name, let us cast our minds back to that humble stable in Bethlehem, where the world first met its Savior. A night of profound significance, a night when the divine intersected with the ordinary, a night when the heavens echoed with angelic voices singing, "Glory to God in the highest." This is the night we celebrate at Christmas, the night when God's love was made manifest in the form of a tiny, vulnerable baby.

The great theologian J.I. Packer once wrote, "The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity--hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory--because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross." This, dear friends, is the hope we cling to, the hope we celebrate, the hope we share with a world in desperate need of it.

Let us now turn our hearts and minds to the Scripture passage that tells us of this miraculous event from Matthew 1:18-23 [read text].

This passage, dear friends, is the cornerstone of our faith, the foundation upon which we build our lives. It tells us not only of the birth of our Savior, but also of the extraordinary love of God, who would send His only Son to save a world that did not know Him.

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who came as a baby in a manger to save us from our sins. As we reflect on the significance of His birth, fill our hearts with Your love, and may the joy of this season inspire us to serve You with renewed passion and commitment. We ask this in the name of Jesus, amen.

Now, let us consider the manifestation of God's love through Christmas, the motivation behind our celebration, and our mission to serve God. May the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts and open our hearts to the profound truths contained in these themes.

Manifestation of God's Love through Christmas

The birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior, is a profound demonstration of God's love for us. This love is not ordinary, but extraordinary, transcending human comprehension. It's a love that chose to leave the glory of heaven, to be born in a humble stable, to live among us, and ultimately to die for us. This is the love that Christmas brings into sharp focus.

God's love is manifested in the very act of Jesus' incarnation. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. This was no ordinary birth. It was the birth of the King of Kings in the most humble of circumstances. This act of humility is a powerful demonstration of God's love. It shows us that God is not a distant, detached deity, but a loving Father who is intimately involved in our lives.

The birth of Jesus also reveals God's love in its sacrificial nature. Jesus was born to die. His birth set in motion a series of events that would lead to the cross. Even as we celebrate His birth, we cannot forget the shadow of the cross that looms in the background. This is love in its purest form - love that is willing to sacrifice everything, even life itself, for the sake of the beloved.

Furthermore, God's love is manifested in the purpose of Jesus' birth. Jesus was born to save His people from their sins. This was not a mission of conquest, but a mission of redemption. It was a mission born out of love. God could have chosen to abandon us to our fate, but instead, He chose to send His Son to save us. This is a powerful demonstration of God's love.

Lastly, God's love is manifested in the promise of Jesus' birth. The birth of Jesus was not an isolated event. It was the fulfillment of centuries-old prophecies, a promise kept by a faithful God. This shows us that God's love is not fickle or fleeting, but steadfast and enduring. It's a love that keeps its promises, a love that we can rely on.

Transition. In the birth of Jesus, we see God's love in action. We see a love that is humble, sacrificial, purposeful, and faithful. This is the love that we celebrate at Christmas, a love that has the power to transform our lives. As we reflect on the birth of Jesus, let us also reflect on this love. Let us allow it to fill our hearts, to shape our lives, and to inspire our actions. For this is the true meaning of Christmas - a celebration of God's extraordinary love for us.

Motivation behind Our Celebration

As we reflect on the birth of Jesus, we are reminded of the motivation behind our celebration ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO