OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Everything seemed dead in the world for around 400 years, and it seemed like the world was about to end but suddenly there was a baby’s cry that woke up Bethlehem and also the king and the magis that lived far beyond Israel. This cry revived not only the people then but the world today.
INTRODUCTION: HEART OF REVIVAL
In the stillness of Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus brought hope to a broken world, offering restoration and redemption through His life as the Messiah. Yet, despite His profound victory, humanity continues to wrestle with physical, emotional, and spiritual struggles. Revival remains necessary because it is not a temporary solution but a renewal that draws us deeper into the transformative presence of Christ.
Our battles, though overshadowed by Christ's perfect victory, highlight our need for His ongoing work in our lives. Revival takes us back to the manger, where divine intervention met humility, reminding us of our dependence on God. It reframes our pain as an opportunity for renewal, realigning our lives with Jesus' story of hope and restoration.
As we look toward revival, we cling to the truth of Emmanuel — "God with us" — knowing Christ's light still shines amid today's darkness, His power is made perfect in our weakness, and His grace meets us in every challenge. Just as His birth marked the beginning of salvation, revival offers each heart a fresh encounter with His peace, joy, and purpose.
• Revival is about awakening hearts to God’s presence, breaking through spiritual apathy, and igniting fresh passion for Him.
• It’s not just emotional fervor; it’s a return to first love, a cleansing, and a renewal of expectancy for God to move.
Let us start with this thought: Revival is about bringing life to the spiritually dead, renewing what is weary and restoring what is broken. Christmas is the ultimate example of God initiating this revival through the coming of Jesus Christ.
HOW IS THE HEART OF REVIVAL CONNECTED TO CHRISTMAS?
1. ARRIVAL OF REVIVAL: HEAVEN INVADES EARTH (Matthew 1:23)
When we think of Christmas, we often reflect on Jesus as Emmanuel, "God with us." But what does that mean for us, spiritually? Before Jesus came, the world was steeped in centuries of silence and darkness. God had not sent a prophet, and people longed for deliverance, hope, and restoration. Revival begins with Jesus: Just as Christmas begins with His birth, revival begins with His presence. The manger becomes the altar where divine presence is revealed, showing that revival begins when God dwells among His people.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He entered a world longing for rescue. The people of Israel were weary and oppressed, living in silence under centuries of waiting for God’s intervention. Then came Christmas — Emmanuel, “God with us,” breaking into human history to begin the ultimate revival.
Christmas reminds us that revival begins with Jesus. He came to offer hope to the hopeless, freedom to the captives, and life to the spiritually dead. Just as God sent His Son to bring restoration to the world, He also desires to revive our hearts — to awaken us to His love, deepen our faith, and restore our joy in Him.
The very first revival began in a humble manger, where Heaven touched earth and God made His dwelling among humanity. Christmas reminds us that revival begins when we welcome Jesus into our hearts and allow His presence to transform us. Just as His arrival revived hope for a hopeless nation, His Spirit revives our souls when we call upon Him.
Christmas is the seed of revival. The manger is the first altar of awakening, where heaven’s fire fell in the form of a child. Every revival is simply Christmas rediscovered — God with us, stirring hearts, breaking chains, and birthing new life.
2. FUEL FOR REVIVAL: THE GOOD NEWS (Luke 2:10)
When God sent Jesus, He sent the greatest news the world had ever heard. The angels proclaimed it this way: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." (Luke 2:10) Christmas is a celebration of life-changing good news — that Jesus Christ came to save us, redeem us, and offer us eternal hope.
This good news — that Christ has come to save the lost and offer us an abundant, eternal life — is the very foundation of a revived heart. Revival happens when this good news takes hold of us afresh, reminding us of the transformative power of Jesus' love and grace. Just as the shepherds in the Christmas story couldn’t keep the news to themselves, our revived hearts are called to share this message with others and bring glory to God.
Christmas, at its core, is the Gospel message — the good news that Jesus came to save us. Revival, too, sparks a response to spread this life-changing news. When our hearts are revived, we don’t keep the joy to ourselves; we share it with others. Christmas reminds us that the message of Jesus is for everyone and that revival leads us to proclaim His love and hope far and wide.
Revival, similarly, brings good news to people who are broken and weighed down. It brings joy for the weary, freedom for the captive, and healing for the hurt. Christmas reminds us that revival is not meant to stay contained within our hearts but to overflow, impacting lives far and wide.
2. IMPACT OF REVIVAL: LIGHT BREAKS DARKNESS (Isaiah 9:2)
Then, in a quiet and humble setting, the revival began. God entered the world through the birth of His Son. With His arrival, everything changed. In John 1:4-5, we see this truth: "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Through this act, God showed He is not a distant deity but a personal Savior, willing to come close and renew what had been broken.
Revival pushes back spiritual darkness. Christmas fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). Both are declarations that darkness cannot overcome the Light.
This verse beautifully encapsulates the essence of revival through Christmas. The birth of Christ is the fulfillment of this prophecy, as He entered a weary and broken world to illuminate the darkness of sin, despair, and spiritual emptiness. Revival through Christmas reminds us that Jesus’ arrival wasn’t just a historical event — it was the dawning of hope, a divine light penetrating our deepest struggles. His birth calls us to awaken to this light, to step out of the shadows we may find ourselves in, and to allow His presence to rekindle faith, renew joy, and restore peace in our hearts and communities.
OUR RESPONSE: WORSHIP IS THE FRUIT OF REVIVAL
So, how is Christmas connected to the heart of revival? In every way! The story of Christ’s birth is the story of God stepping into our broken world to bring hope, restoration, and renewal. Revival is simply God continuing to work that same transformation in our hearts today.
This season let’s embrace the heart of Christmas by welcoming Jesus into our lives afresh. Let Him revive your faith, restore your joy, and stir your love for Him. Just as He came to bring life to the world, He desires to breathe life into you — into your heart, your family, your church, and your community.
Christmas draws us into worship. Whether it’s the angels singing “Glory to God in the highest” or the wise men bowing before Jesus, His birth inspired awe, wonder, and praise. Revival produces the same response — as our hearts are renewed, we turn back to God in worship, glorifying Him for His grace and love.
• The shepherds and wise men didn’t just witness Christmas—they worshiped.
• Revival is revealed when ordinary people encounter Jesus and respond with extraordinary devotion, shifting from routine to reverence.
In John 4:23, Jesus teaches us that revival calls us deeper into true worship: "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." Christmas reminds us that Jesus is worthy of all our worship — not simply for what He has done, but for who He is: our Savior, our Prince of Peace, our Mighty God.
APPLICATION: As we celebrate Christmas, let’s go beyond the surface traditions and embrace the deeper meaning of the season. Jesus didn’t just come to give the world a holiday — He came to transform our lives.
• Where in my life have I grown weary or dry, needing God’s revival?
• Is there an area of my heart where I need restoration?
• Am I approaching this season humbly, allowing room for Jesus to renew me?
Take time to intentionally invite Jesus to breathe fresh life into your heart this Christmas. Pray for personal revival — a renewed passion for Jesus, a restored relationship with God, and an overflowing joy that can’t help but spill into the world around you.
