Christmas Eve—God’s Glory Brings Great Joy
Today, we gather to celebrate one of the most beautiful moments in human history—the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. The glory of God appeared in the most humble of ways, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Yet, in this moment, God’s glory brings great joy to the world. This joy isn’t just a fleeting emotion—it’s a deep, abiding joy that transforms lives, bringing courage and hope in the midst of uncertainty.
The birth of Jesus is the ultimate reminder that we are not alone. Emmanuel—God with us—means that God has come to be present with us, not only in moments of celebration but in the very heart of our struggles and uncertainties. His presence brings hope, and with that hope comes joy, no matter what we’re going through.
Even when life is challenging, Christmas reminds us that God’s glory has appeared, and that changes everything. Jesus’ birth brought heaven to earth, showing us that we don’t have to face the hard things in life on our own. God came to us at Christmas to fill us with courage and hope. So even when life is uncertain, we can walk forward in the confidence of his love.
The glory of God we celebrate on Christmas is not far away—it is right here, in the person of Jesus. His birth is what the Bible calls “the grace of God appearing.” This grace is a gift. It’s not just about forgiving our sins—it’s about changing our hearts and our lives. Christ-followers are invited to be changed by the nativity of our Lord, to live lives that reflect the courage, hope, and joy of Christ’s presence within us.
As we remember the birth of Jesus, let’s also remember that God’s glory isn’t just something we see—it’s something that brings joy into our hearts. We are called to live changed lives, full of the courage and hope that come from knowing that Jesus is with us. We are not alone. Emmanuel—God with us—walks with us through all of life’s challenges, giving us hope and joy that only his presence can bring.
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
God’s glory has come, and in that, we find our great joy.
