What is the Heart of Christmas? (Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:3-14; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

 Sermon on 21 December 2025 by Pastor Justin

Introduction

Are we celebrating Christmas in a way that overshadows our Lord? The way that the world celebrates reflects only culture and consumerism, not a true celebration of the birth of Jesus. There is nothing wrong with having celebrations, but we must remember the heart of Christmas - it is about the love of God. Christmas is God’s greatest act of love!

Message

700 years before Christ was born, the prophet Isaiah had prophesied His birth (Isaiah 7:14).

Christmas is the story of love; reaching out to the broken.

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. - Galatians 4:4-5

Christmas is the story of love; about adoption, forgiveness, redemption, grace, inheritance, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which he purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth - in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. - Ephesians 1:3-14

Christmas is a story of love, and that the gifts, abilities, and achievements are meaningless without love. 1 Corinthians 13 is a chapter of love. God’s love revealed. God’s love given. And God’s love calls us to love others.

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

God’s love revealed

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of peace. - Isaiah 9:6

It is with intentional love that God sent His Son to save the world. God’s love is revealed in the form of a saviour. Love took on flesh. Love stepped into our world. Love rescued us when we could not rescue ourselves. God demonstrated His love for us while we were sinners.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

God’s love given

Love comforts us. Love transforms us. Love adopted us. Love redeemed us. Love has forgiven us. Love sealed us with the Holy Spirit.

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, - Ephesians 1:4-5

God’s love calls us to love others

Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, told the disciples to love one another, just as He had loved them. God entered this world not to condemn it, but to save it through Jesus Christ. Without love, we are nothing. Without love, we are just noise. Without love, we are nothing with all the efforts.

Closing

The true heart of Christmas is not gifts, but the God who gave Himself. The manger displays His love. The cross displays His love. The empty tomb displays His love. The Holy Spirit pours His love into our hearts.

We are loved by God and called to love others.