Christmas Eve, 2025

Christmas Eve, 2025

The Christmas Story

The Birth of Jesus

(Luke 2:1-20)

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid.’ ‘I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; who is Christ, the Lord.’ ‘This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as

they had been told.”

-Luke 2:1-20

(The Magi at a later time said King Herod)

“Where is this One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

-Matthew 2:2

God is right here, right now.

Jesus is the Light of the world.

He came into DARKNESS

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

-Isaiah 9:2

“Competing lights”

&

“Fog”

Who do you identify with in Xmas story?

Light to _____ in the midst of their FOG.

Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Simeon/Anna, Magi,

his Apostles, his disciples 

Light to _____ in the midst of her FOG.

Mary [Caught off guard]

When you are _____, Jesus is there.

Light to _____ in the midst of his FOG.

 Joseph [“No win” situation.] 

God’s Answer to us

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

-Proverbs 3:5,6

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” 

- Psalm 32:8 

“The LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones.”

- Isaiah 58:11

“The LORD is my shepherd… He leads me beside still waters… He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

- Psalm 23:1–3

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known… I will turn the darkness into light before them.”

- Isaiah 42:16

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

- Psalm 119:105

So, when you are in a “No win” situation, [Like Joseph thought he was] Jesus is there.

Light to _____ in the midst of their FOG.

Shepherds [Forgotten]

 When you are forgotten. Jesus is there.

Light to _____ in the midst of their FOG.

Simeon/Anna [Having to wait]

When you have to wait forever,

Jesus is there waiting with you.

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another…“Being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.””

- Romans 15:5; Colossians 11:1 

Light to _____ in the midst of their FOG.

Magi [Not fully understanding where they were being led]

When you don’t fully know where God is leading you, go anyway because Jesus is with you.

Light to _____ in the midst of their FOG.

His Apostles [Collateral Damage]

Take up your cross, Jesus is with you.

Light to _____ in the midst of their FOG.

His disciples [Us today]

Trust Jesus to light your way.

He is with you right here, right now.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

-John 8:12  

Genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3

23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli … the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Kenan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.”

-Luke 3:23-38

Fascinating… 

Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah,

the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, 

the son of Kenan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth,

the son of Adam, the son of God.”

-Luke 3:36-38

[I like to think of it in the reverse]

10 Generations

Adam > Seth > Enosh > Kenan > Mahalalel >

Jared > Enoch > Methuselah > Lamech > Noah

Adam = Man

Seth = Appointed

Enosh = Mortal

Kenan = Sorrow

Mahalalel = The Blessed God

Jared = Shall come down

Enoch = Teaching

Methuselah = His death shall bring

Lamech = The despairing

Noah = Rest, Comfort

The Gospel, the Good News of the Christmas Story,

and the Easter/Resurrection Story

are all taught in the genealogy of Jesus.

Man, Appointed, Mortal, Sorrow, the Blessed God,

Shall come down, Teaching, His death shall bring,

The despairing, Rest, Comfort

Mortal = Original Sin cause death/mortality

Blessed God = Jesus, who is God

Shall come down = Christmas/Incarnation

His death = Cross

The despairing = You & Me

Rest, Comfort = [Forgiveness & Heaven]

“For unto us [YOU] a Child is born, [Human] unto us a Son [Deity] is given… His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father,

the Prince of Peace.”      

-Isaiah 9:6

Jesus put himself into OUR picture.

As Christians, we must focus on putting ourselves in His picture.

Be Jesus to others, He is always Jesus to us!  

The Question for each of us is…

What role will Jesus play in our Christmas and in our life this New Year?

A great lesson at Christmas

God is right here, right now.

He will always be with you offering forgiveness and guidance  

“I have come into the world as a LIGHT, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

-John 12:46

We cannot ALTER the past,

but we can bring the past to the ALTAR of God.

God Bless You, Merry Christmas!