Sermon for Christmas Eve. The Scripture readings for tonight’s service are Isaiah 7:10-14; 1 John 4:7-16; Luke 2:1-20; and John 1:1-5, 9-14, 16-18.

The message of the angel that first Christmas night is for those shepherds. A Savior has been born to them. But that good news will spread over the days, years, and centuries. This good news of great joy will be for allpeople. This good news is for all people, but please know that it is for you specifically, in the same way it was for the shepherds that night.

If that angel was here tonight, he would say directly to you, “I bring you good news of great joy… unto you is born a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” Don’t get lost in the broad scope this announcement. It isn’t as though this Savior is born for all people, and since you’re part of ‘all people,’ I guess, you’re included. No! Unto you is born a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Maybe some Christmas Eve, I’ll just preach to each of you individually. But the sermon would be the same for everyone. “Unto you is born a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”

The only difference between you and those shepherds is that you cannot go to see Him in the manger. Jesus didn’t stay there. Yes, His arms were tucked tightly into that manger as an infant so those same arms could be stretched out upon the cross. His head is surrounded by hay in a feeding trough to later be crowned with thorns. His body was swaddled and laid in a manger so that same body could eventually be wrapped in linen cloths and laid in a tomb. But just as He did not remain the manger, neither did He remain in the grave.

Even if you went to Bethlehem right now, you wouldn’t behold Jesus there. Instead, you have something better. You have His presence right now. The Savior born unto you this day says, “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them” (Mt. 18:20).

You who have gathered here in Jesus’ name, come and behold Him. You never have to wonder if God loves you. He has shown you His great love for you and reveals that love in His Word. If you want to know what God thinks of you, first, look down into the manger, then look up to the cross. There is your answer. Merry Christmas!