Most of us
treat Christmas as a season of comfort—a time for warm traditions, familiar
carols, and the "peace on earth" sentiment of a baby in a manger. But
in the Gospel of John, we find a story that isn't just warm; it’s dangerous.
In this
Christmas Day message, recorded at Holmesburg, Philadelphia (19136), we dive
deep into John 1:1-14 to rediscover the "shock" of the
Incarnation.
Watch the
Full Sermon:
Beyond the
Manger: The Eternal King
John does not
begin his Gospel with shepherds or angels. He bypasses the "kind
fuzzies" and drops us into eternity. “In the beginning was the Word.”
Before the world existed, before humanity needed saving, the King already
reigned.
Christmas is
not God scrambling to fix a broken world. It is the deliberate, supernatural
unfolding of His eternal purpose. As we explore in this sermon, if the Word
became flesh, then God is no longer a distant speculation. He is a present
reality that demands a response.
The Meaning
of Emmanuel: God With Us
When we say
"God with us," we aren't just reciting a title; we are acknowledging
a miracle. The self-sufficient Creator took on a body that could hunger, ache,
and bleed. He "pitched His tent" in the middle of our weakness.
This message
covers three vital truths:
- The King Who Always Was: Recognizing Jesus’
authority over all creation.
- The Shock of the Incarnation: Why God coming
close is the most difficult thing to accept.
- A Reign Defined by Presence: Why
"neutrality" toward Jesus is actually rebellion.
A Call to
Reverence
To treat
Christmas lightly is to treat our King lightly. If the King has drawn this near
to you, how can you keep Him at arm's length? We invite you to watch, listen,
and respond to the presence of Emmanuel.
Scripture
References: John 1:1-14, Matthew 1:23
Location:
Holmesburg, Philadelphia
Date:
December 25, 2025
