Christmas can become familiar, and familiarity can numb the heart. Yet this season is the wow of God made flesh—majesty came small so you could draw near. Hope chose swaddling clothes, and true Light stepped into darkness. Ask the Spirit to reawaken awe so you don’t rush past the wonder. Let your soul bless the Lord and remember His benefits today. [26:31]
Luke 2:10–14: The angel said, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you news that unleashes great joy for everyone. Today in David’s town a Rescuer has been born for you—He is the Anointed One, the Lord. This is your sign: you’ll find a baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” Then an uncountable company from heaven appeared, praising God: “Highest honor to God, and on earth His wholeness rests on those He graciously embraces.”
Reflection: What simple practice will you add this week to recover the wonder of God-with-us—reading Luke 2 aloud at night, a quiet walk to pray, or a few minutes of silent adoration before bed?
God chose shepherds—men mistrusted, rough around the edges, nearly ranked with lepers—to receive the first Christmas announcement. This is not a mistake; it is a declaration that salvation is for all who have ears to hear and hearts to receive. Grace meets us at our worst and leads us to our best. Resist the lie that God is only for “good” people; He sent His news to the ones society ignored. Remember: the Lord didn’t just tolerate them—He trusted them with the message. So carry the announcement to those who feel unseen today. [34:59]
Luke 2:8–9: That very night in nearby fields, shepherds were keeping watch over their flock. Suddenly the Lord’s messenger stood right there, and the brightness of God surrounded them, and they trembled with overwhelming fear.
Reflection: Who is one overlooked person in your world (a night-shift coworker, a quiet neighbor, a distant relative) to whom you can carry good news this week, and what exact step will you take?
Heaven opened, and a countless host—a warrior choir—filled the sky with an anthem of might, not a soft lullaby. Adoration erupted before the shepherds took a single step toward Bethlehem. That order matters: glory rises to God first, and then His peace settles on earth. When we put God in His rightful place, fear gives way to steady hearts. Start with praise, and you will find His peace meeting you along the path of obedience. [50:24]
Luke 2:13–14: All at once an unnumbered multitude from heaven appeared with the angel, praising God and declaring, “Glory to God at the highest height! And on earth, His peace rests on those He graciously favors.”
Reflection: Tomorrow morning, before checking your phone, how will you begin with adoration—what specific words of praise will you speak, and how long will you linger there to place God’s glory first?
Peace begins vertically—being made right with God through Jesus—then moves inward as the peace of God steadies the soul, and finally flows outward into relationships. Like a strong glue, His peace holds what is cracked and brings it back together. Some need to get right with God; some need to get right with one another. Division is not mutual edification, and strife is not your calling. In Jesus, reconciliation is possible, even with your “Cousin Eddie.” Make peace the gift you offer this week. [57:20]
Romans 14:19: So then, let us pursue the things that create peace and the actions that build each other up.
Reflection: If peace with another believer feels strained, what one concrete action—an apology, a coffee meeting, or a note of blessing—will you take within 48 hours to plant peace?
“Today” anchors the story in real history and invites a personal response now. The child in the manger is Savior to rescue, Christ the Anointed One, and Lord who deserves total allegiance. He was born “to you,” so don’t keep this at arm’s length. Receive His grace, submit your will, announce His good news, and lead your family to adore Him. Put Christ first, and let your steps align with His mission. Announce the good news; adore Jesus with your life. [45:19]
Luke 2:11–12: Today in David’s city a Savior has been born for you—He is the Messiah, the Lord. Here’s your sign: you will find a baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.
Reflection: Which area needs your fresh yes to Jesus as Lord (your schedule, finances, conversations, or a hidden habit), and what single action will show that yes today—and share His good news with someone?
We opened Luke 2 and let the angels’ Gloria reawaken wonder. I shared how caroling formed me—cookies, buckeyes, and belonging—but warned how familiarity can dull the soul. Don’t lose the “wow” of God made flesh: majesty came small, hope wore swaddling clothes, and true Light entered our darkness. From that wonder, two life lessons rise: the announcement and the adoration.
The announcement came to shepherds—socially sidelined, ceremonially unclean, not even trusted to testify in court. That matters. God intentionally entrusted the first heralds of Jesus to the overlooked so we’d know salvation is for everyone who hears and receives. We traced the angel’s words: good news (gospel to be shared), great joy (mega joy), for all people (no exclusions), today (anchored in history), town of David (promised lineage), a Savior (rescuer from sin), born to you (personal), Christ (Anointed One), the Lord (our allegiance). Because this good news is for all, I called us back to the basics: share Christ, stop stirring strife, and let grace reshape our relationships.
Then adoration: heaven tore open and an innumerable host—heaven’s army—erupted in praise. This wasn’t a quaint lullaby; this was an anthem of might. Warriors worshiped. Glory filled the night, and peace rested on those who received God’s favor. Peace follows praise—when God’s glory comes first, anxious hearts find ballast.
From there we explored the threefold peace of Christmas. Peace with God: secured at the cross where Jesus, perfect in every way, bore wrath as our substitute so we could be reconciled. The peace of God: Christ’s presence steadying us from within. Peace with others: the Spirit’s work expressed in confession, forgiveness, and mutual upbuilding. I asked our church family to choose peacemaking over division, to talk to people rather than about them, and to come forward for healing. Finally, I invited anyone far from God to receive Jesus—Savior, Christ, and Lord—and urged all of us to announce the good news and adore Jesus with our lives. Lead your family into worship. This is His story; let it become your story.
So don't grow numb to the wow factor of Christmas The story of Christ's birth that's powerful That is a powerful thing And why is it so powerful Because we see through this birth narrative we see the fact that majesty came small so that we could possibly come near to him That the greatness of God You know what do we see We read and we saw in the video that hope what did it do Hope chose to wear swaddling clothes Amen Don't grow numb to that Don't grow numb to the fact that light truly light entered darkness Man don't lose the wow factor of that Christmas is one of our wow factors of our faith [00:25:57] (50 seconds) #KeepChristmasWow
That's the message that this church must declare That's the song that we must sing Sin is great God's grace is greater Amen Well I know that because I'm a recipient of that I know Matt He's a broken sinner Who's been rescued by the perfect grace of God Grace grace God's grace That's what rescued me Man let's remember that grace what does it do Grace meets us at our worst and it leads us to our best Let's get back to that mindset [00:36:30] (46 seconds) #GraceRescuesUs
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