The Christmas God Desires (Luke 2:8–14)
The Christmas God Desires (Luke 2:8–14) 12/21/2025
At Christmas, people greet each other with “Merry Christmas.” In English, “Merry” means “joyful and glad,” and “Christmas” means “worshipping Christ.” In the passage, angels appeared to shepherds in the fields, announcing the birth of Christ and singing: “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those on whom His favor rests.”
First, Christ’s coming to earth brings glory to God in the highest (the heavenly throne). Christ is worthy of glory in heaven. It is because He is God Himself, the Son (Colossians 1:15–17). The One who receives glory came to us. The God of glory came to us, became our Savior, and through Him, all believers receive light, life, authority, and power (salvation). With Christ present, the powers of darkness surrender (Luke 10:19), and those who have His life enjoy eternal blessings with Him (John 5:24). More importantly, through His authority and power, we are called to bring life, healing, and blessing to the world (Ephesians 5:8; 1 Peter 2:9).
Second, “peace on earth to those on whom His favor rests.” This means that for individuals and the world that is with Christ, He brings peace. One of the greatest blessings we are to enjoy on earth is this. It is inner peace in us, family peace, neighborly peace, and national peace. Yet we see endless conflict, strife, and war. Why? Christ came to this earth, and people still shout “Merry Christmas,” yet peace is absent. The reason is clear. People do not know why Christ came. Without understanding the blessings He brings, “Merry Christmas” becomes a formal, empty greeting. So, what kind of Christmas does God desire for us?
- A Christmas that saves me.
1) It must be a Christmas that confirms who Christ is and what He has done for me.
① The glory, life, authority, and power of God in Christ have come to us. Because we could not come to Him, He humbled Himself to come to us and give His life for us. This is God’s absolute love for us (Romans 5:8).
② Take quiet, deep time for reflection. This year’s Christmas can have special meaning.
Even at the first Christmas, Jerusalem was busy and noisy (Matthew 2:3). God, however, revealed the joyful news to the shepherds in the fields and the distant visitors from the East (Gentiles), who went to worship Christ first.
2) It must be a Christmas where Christ is experienced in my environment and reality. The shepherds were lowly people—the same reason David was “called from the sheepfolds” (Psalm 78:70). Christ chooses, finds, and saves us regardless of our circumstances or realities. Is it lonely? Despairing? This is the perfect opportunity to deeply experience God’s love.
3) It must be a Christmas where I give myself to Christ.
① To “give oneself” or “commit” is to respond to God’s plan, love, and choice for us. Worship is that time. Like the wise men, we offer gifts to Christ in gratitude.
② It is an expression of thanks for God’s love, grace, and blessings revealed through Christ. Sending cards or gifts at Christmas expresses gratitude for received grace and love. This gratitude prepares the way for greater blessings (Psalm 50:14–15, 23).
- A Christmas that saves my community (home, school, workplace, region, nation).
Shepherds are precious because they faithfully tended their flocks. We also are given “fields” where God wants us to enjoy, share, and bring blessings to others (Psalm 16:6–7).
1) My happiness in Christ spreads to others.
① There is an invisible flow that is spread. It is described as a “spiritual virus” in Scripture (Acts 24:5). We create a “happiness virus.” This is the kind of Christmas we should have.
② The peace Christ gives is this kind of peace (John 14:27). Think about what it means for this peace to be different from the peace that the world gives. If someone asks you if you are happy, what would be your response? This does not mean you have no problems or conflicts. True peace comes in times of problems and conflicts. It is why Scripture tells us to cast all anxieties on God and pray with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6–7).
2) Christmas festivals and programs exist to share this joy. They help our children remember Christmas and invite neighbors to share the blessing.
3) Christmas is an opportunity to share with neighbors and the needy while spreading the gospel. Giving gifts is not the gospel itself. When their hearts open and are prepared, the gospel can be shared at the right time. Even decades ago, people went house to house singing carols to bless neighbors for this reason.
- A Christmas that saves the future
1) The people present on the first Christmas are models for us.
Simeon, who longed for Christ, prophesied He would be a light to the Gentiles (Luke 2:26). Anna, widowed and praying in the temple, prophesied how Christ would redeem all people (Luke 2:38).
2) We wait for Christ’s return to complete salvation for eternity and rule the new heaven and new earth.
Until then, our mission is to spread the gospel to all nations (Matthew 24:14). This is why we invest fully in multiethnic ministry and missions. The enemy seeks to block these blessings. Even at the first Christmas, Satan used King Herod to try to kill Christ (Matthew 2:13). Therefore, we must keep unwavering faith and enjoy spiritual victory while awaiting Christ (Ephesians 6:10–18).
3) Until that day, our mission is to pass on Christ’s covenant to our posterity.
This is why we devote ourselves to ministry for future generations and why small gifts are given as encouragement.
Conclusion – May this Christmas save me, save my community, and save the future. May its blessings be daily, continuous, and eternal.
12.21.25 The Christmas God Desires
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