Go! And… Don’t Remove Christ from Christmas
INTRODUCTION — “When Christmas Loses Christ”
If you removed all the wrapping paper, all the lights, all the tinsel, all the adverts, all the parties, and all the pressure… would Christmas still make sense to you?
Some years ago, a large shopping centre proudly displayed a giant Christmas banner that read: “Season’s Greetings — Celebrate the Magic!”
Not a single reference to Jesus. Not a single manger. Not a single mention of hope, salvation, or Emmanuel — God with us.
A little girl tugged her mum’s hand, looked up at the sign, and asked, “Mummy… where did Jesus go?”
That child noticed what the world tries hard to forget.
Without Christ, Christmas collapses.
Without Christ, Christmas becomes decoration without meaning, celebration without purpose, and sentiment without salvation.
Tonight, in this message titled “Go! And… Don’t Remove Christ from Christmas,” we are going to examine the Scriptures and rediscover why Christ is not simply part of Christmas — He is Christmas.
Our anchor passage today is:
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT):
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
This verse is not seasonal. It is eternal. It is not sentimental. It is doctrinal. It is not optional. It is foundational.
Let us exposit this text, supported by the broader witness of Scripture, to ensure that this Christmas — and every day — Christ remains exalted as Lord, Saviour, and King.
POINT 1 — CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT GOD’S PROMISED SAVIOUR (Isaiah 9:6)
“For a child is born to us…”
Isaiah prophesied during a dark period of Israel’s history—moral decay, corrupt leadership, and looming invasion. Yet into the gloom, Isaiah announces a divine solution: “a child is born… a son is given.”
The Hebrew phrase for “is born” — ?????? (yullad) — denotes literal, physical birth.
The phrase “is given” — ?????? (nittan) — emphasises divine initiative and gift.
This Son is not merely born — He is given by God Himself.
The Incarnation is not an optional doctrine; it is the heart of the Gospel.
God entered human history.
God took on flesh.
God came as a child — vulnerable, humble, reachable.
Christmas is not about what we give to God, but what God gave to us.
John 1:14 (NLT): “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.”
The Greek word for “made his home” is ?s????se? (eskenosen) — literally “pitched His tent,” pointing back to the tabernacle.
Just as God dwelled among His people in the wilderness, He now dwells among us in Christ.
The world says Christmas is about tradition, food, gifts, gatherings.
But Scripture says Christmas is about salvation, grace, and the arrival of the promised Saviour.
Do not let the culture rewrite what God has clearly written.
Max Lucado: “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.”
This is the heart of Christmas — God stepped into the world because we could never climb our way to Him.
POINT 2 — CHRISTMAS DECLARES JESUS IS GOD (Isaiah 9:6)
“…And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God…”
The titles Isaiah lists are not poetic labels — they are divine names.
“Wonderful Counsellor” — ?????? ?????? (pele yo‘etz)
Pele = beyond human comprehension
Yo‘etz = wise, perfect adviser
Jesus is not simply a good teacher; He is wisdom incarnate.
“Mighty God” — ??? ???????? (El Gibbor)
This title is used of Yahweh Himself in Isaiah 10:21.
Isaiah makes no distinction — the coming child IS the Mighty God.
John 1:1 (NLT): “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Jesus is fully God, eternally existent, the Creator of all things.
Colossians 1:15–17 (NLT): “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.”
The early church faced constant pressure to reduce Jesus to a teacher or prophet.
Today, nothing has changed.
Secular Christmas wants a harmless baby in a manger — not a sovereign God on a throne.
But Scripture refuses to allow Jesus to be diminished.
The Christmas Card Error
A pastor once received a Christmas card from a secular organisation.
It showed a snow-covered cottage, presents, and Santa Claus — but no Jesus.
Yet inside the card was written:
“The Reason for the Season is Love.”
Yes — but whose love?
Not human sentiment — divine salvation.
John Piper: “Christmas is an indictment before it becomes a delight. It will not have its intended effect until we feel desperately the need for a Saviour.”
Piper reminds us that you cannot appreciate the cradle until you understand the cross. You cannot cherish the gift until you recognise your need.
POINT 3 — CHRISTMAS REVEALS JESUS AS OUR ETERNAL KING (Isaiah 9:6)
“…Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
“Everlasting Father” means Jesus exercises divine, fatherly care over His people.
“Prince of Peace” — ???????????? (sar-shalom)
Shalom means more than absence of conflict — it means wholeness, restoration, and spiritual harmony.
Luke 2:11 (NLT): “The Saviour — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”
Three titles declared at His birth:
Saviour (He rescues)
Messiah (He fulfils prophecy)
Lord (He rules)
Philippians 2:9–11 (NLT): “God elevated him to the place of highest honour… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…”
Christmas points forward to the day every knee will bow.
The world wants Christmas without Christ
— celebration without surrender
— nativity without authority
— manger without majesty.
But the Jesus of Christmas is not merely a baby to admire —
He is a King to obey.
Tim Keller: “If Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.”
Keller reminds us that Christmas is not about partial devotion — it is a summons to total allegiance.
POINT 4 — CHRISTMAS CALLS US TO RESPOND (John 3:16–17)
John 3:16–17 (NLT): “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”
The Gospel in Christmas
Christmas is not merely the birth of Jesus —
It is the beginning of the rescue mission of God.
The wood of the manger points to the wood of the cross.
The cradle leads to Calvary.
Jesus was born to die.
Jesus died to save.
Jesus rose to reign.
The Gift You Must Open
If someone gives you a gift but you never open it, the gift does you no good.
God has given the world the greatest gift — His Son.
But a gift unopened is a gift rejected.
THE GOSPEL PRESENTATION — CHRIST CAME TO SAVE YOU
Jesus lived the perfect life you could never live.
Jesus died the sacrificial death you deserved.
Jesus rose from the grave, conquering sin, death, and hell.
Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, you receive forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.
This is why we do not remove Christ from Christmas —
Because without Him, there is no hope for humanity.
CALL TO ACTION — KEEP CHRIST AT THE CENTRE
Worship Jesus intentionally this Christmas.
Share the Gospel boldly with family and friends.
Refuse to let a secular culture redefine your faith.
Live out the peace, grace, and hope that Christ brings.
Let Christmas ignite fresh devotion to Jesus your King.
INVITATION TO SALVATION:
If you have never trusted Jesus as Lord and Saviour —
this is your moment.
Turn from your sin.
Cry out to Jesus.
Believe in His death, burial, and resurrection.
Receive the gift of eternal life.
Do not remove Christ from Christmas — instead, let Christ redeem your life today.
BENEDICTION / FINAL EXHORTATION:
May the Lord Jesus Christ —
the Wonderful Counsellor,
the Mighty God,
the Everlasting Father,
and the Prince of Peace —
fill your heart, your home, and your Christmas
with His glory, His presence, and His saving grace.
Go forth, and do not remove Christ from Christmas —
exalt Him, proclaim Him, and follow Him all your days.
Amen.
