Sermon: December 24, 2025

Reading: Luke 2:1-20

God does not wait for us to be perfect or have our lives in order. God comes to us in our vulnerability, meeting us in the messiness of life, offering hope, comfort, and renewal. You are never outside the reach of God’s grace, and there is always room for you in God’s story, no matter who you are. To celebrate Christmas in light of this story is to recognize that the love revealed in the child who lay in the manger is for all people; no one is excluded.

The angels’ proclamation to the shepherds was not only a message for them, but a gift for each of us: “To you is born a Savior.” With this holy announcement, we encounter the profound reality of God’s presence entering our world, a presence that shapes our lives, our relationships, and the very fabric of creation.

Tonight, as we reflect on the significance of the nativity, may we welcome its light into our lives, not simply as a cherished story or with the nostalgia of Christmas’ past, but as a living truth that continues to inspire and transform us. The story of Jesus’ birth speaks to us, calling us to faith, hope, and love.

I invite you to carry this hope and love with you faithfully into the days ahead, not just tonight, but every day. Just as the shepherds were transformed by their encounter with Christ, so too are we changed, becoming bearers of good news in a world that desperately needs it.

Tonight, may we hear the angels’ song not as distant music, but as a message for our own hearts. May we become like Mary, and treasure these things and ponder them deeply. May we become like the shepherds and go forth with joy, sharing the light of Christ with all whom we meet. For to you is born this night a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

May the peace and joy of Jesus Christ fill your hearts tonight and always. Merry Christmas.