Opening Thought:
Good evening, and welcome! Christmas is a time when we celebrate love, joy, and connection. It’s a season of giving and gathering, but at its heart, Christmas is a story about reconnection—about God building a bridge to bring us back to Him.
Introduction: The Problem of Separation
Think for a moment about bridges. They’re built when something separates us—maybe a river or a deep valley. Without a bridge, getting across is impossible. Humanity faces a similar problem in our relationship with God.
God created us to know Him, to walk with Him, and to live in His love. But through selfishness, mistakes, and brokenness—what the Bible calls sin—we’ve created a gap between us and God. On our own, we can’t fix it.
The Christmas Bridge
That’s where Christmas comes in. The Bible tells us that God didn’t want the gap to remain. So, He sent His Son, Jesus, to be the bridge. In John 3:16, we read:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
When Jesus was born, it wasn’t just the start of a new life—it was the start of God’s plan to reconnect us with Him. Jesus lived a perfect life, showing us God’s love. Then He gave His life on the cross to close the gap created by sin. Through His resurrection, He invites us to step across the bridge to forgiveness, peace, and a life with God.
The Benefits of Crossing the Bridge
When we accept Jesus as that bridge, incredible things happen:
1. A Relationship with God: No more separation—God becomes our guide, friend, and loving Father.
2. Hope and Peace: Life is still challenging, but with God, we have a hope that goes beyond circumstances.
3. Eternal Life: The bridge doesn’t just connect us to God now—it leads to a future with Him forever.
Illustration: A Christmas Gift
Think of Jesus as the ultimate Christmas gift. A gift is offered freely, but it has to be received. If you leave it unopened, it doesn’t benefit you. Jesus invites us to step across the bridge, to open the gift of His love and reconnect with God.
Closing Invitation
This Christmas, I invite you to consider what this bridge means for your life. God has already built it—it’s up to you to take the step. If you’re not sure what that looks like, talk to someone tonight, or simply pray, “God, I want to know You. Thank You for sending Jesus. Help me take that step across the bridge.”
Ending Prayer
Let’s pray:
“God, thank You for the gift of Jesus, for sending Him to be the bridge that reconnects us to You. Help us to understand Your love and take the step to know You more. Bless us this Christmas with the hope, peace, and joy that come from You. Amen.”
have a blessed Christmas!
