Christmas rarely looks like the painting we imagine. When life feels out of control, we reach for control. That reflex is pride—trying to hold everything together by sheer will. The first Christmas was unpolished, humble, and that's exactly where God drew near. Instead of gripping tighter, you can make room for Jesus right in the chaos. He comes not to your perfect plan but to your present mess [06:00]
Luke 1:26–27: In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to a small town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a young virgin named Mary, who was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of David.
Reflection: Where are you chasing a picture-perfect outcome this week, and what is one small way you can loosen your grip and make room for Jesus there?
God’s messenger began with assurance, not instructions: the Lord is with you. Notice the order—presence before plan, companionship before calling. You may be confused and disturbed, but you are not abandoned. God’s nearness is the anchor that holds when nothing makes sense. Let that promise quiet the noise and steady your heart. His presence is enough for the next step [17:53]
Luke 1:28–33: The angel greeted Mary as one graced by God and told her not to be afraid. She would conceive and bear a son and name him Jesus. He would be great, called the Son of the Most High; God would give him David’s throne, and his kingdom would never end.
Reflection: In a specific decision or fear you’re carrying right now, how would you move forward differently if you began with “the Lord is with me”?
Mary did not receive a step-by-step plan. She answered with surrender: I belong to the Lord—let it be as You say. Humility begins where clarity ends, trusting that God knows what you don’t. The illusion that you are holding it all together can be released. Open your hands and let God be God in what you cannot control [26:29]
Luke 1:34–38: Mary asked how this could happen since she was a virgin. The angel said the Holy Spirit would come upon her, God’s power would overshadow her, and the child would be holy, the Son of God. He pointed to Elizabeth’s pregnancy as proof that God’s word does not fail. Mary replied that she belonged to the Lord and she wanted everything to happen just as God had said.
Reflection: What is one concrete thing you will stop micromanaging this week, and how will you symbolize that surrender to God (a prayer, a note, a conversation)?
After the angel left, praise rose from Mary’s heart. Worship did not wait for outcomes, answers, or approval. A humble heart sings before it sees, and in that song, room is made for God. In your own uncertainty, choose a word of gratitude and let it lift your gaze. Worship is not denial; it is trust expressed in love [24:15]
Luke 1:46–49: Mary said her soul makes much of the Lord and her spirit rejoices in God her Savior, because he has noticed his lowly servant. From now on, people will call her blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for her; his name is holy.
Reflection: Where is life currently messy for you, and what specific words of praise can you offer God there before anything changes?
Disrupted plans do not derail God’s purpose. He is faithful to complete the work He begins in you. So pry your grubby little paws off what you’re gripping, and place it in His hands. Take the next step of obedience and trust that His will is good, pleasing, and perfect. Rest in the promise that His grace will carry the work to completion [32:34]
Philippians 1:6: We are confident of this—God, who began a good work in you, will continue shaping it and bring it all the way to completion in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What step of obedience have you delayed because the timing feels off, and what small action could you take in the next 48 hours to move forward with God?
Christmas rarely looks like the postcard in my head. I picture cocoa by the fire and calm, but what I often get is sibling rivalry, lost scissors, crooked lights, and a dehydrated turkey that could double as packing material. In that gap between expectation and reality, I feel the urge to take control—of people, outcomes, timelines, even my own image. But that clutching at control isn’t strength; it’s pride. And pride whispers, “I’m strong enough. I’ll fix it,” until my heart is so full of managing that there’s no room left for God.
The first Christmas reminds me that God didn’t wait for a polished scene. He came into a humble, unpolished, unexpected place. Mary didn’t have a palace, a plan, or even a way to explain what was happening. Still, when the angel spoke, she said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Her response wasn’t denial or spin-control; it was surrender. That kind of humility isn’t weakness—it’s the doorway where God comes close, speaks, and works.
What does humility look like for us? Three movements. First, trust the promises of God when you can’t see the plan. We don’t get step-by-step clarity; we get presence: “I am with you.” Second, embrace God’s purpose even when it disrupts your plans. Obedience will complicate your calendar and reputation, but it also clarifies your identity: “I am the Lord’s.” Third, learn to praise before the outcome is known. Mary’s song rises not after relief, but in the middle of uncertainty. Worship makes space in the heart that worry crowds out.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: we think we’re holding everything together, but much of that is illusion. Humility begins where clarity ends. It sounds like, “God, I don’t know, but You do.” This season, pry your hands off the things you’re trying to manage into submission. Trust that the One who began a good work will carry it to completion. Let your prayer be Mary’s prayer: “Let it be to me as You have said.”
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Dec 14, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?
Add this chatbot onto your site with the embed code below
<iframe frameborder="0" src="https://pastors.ai/sermonWidget/sermon/humble-heart-2025-12-14" width="100%" height="100%" style="height:100vh;"></iframe>Copy