The sermon centers on the enduring significance of Christmas, emphasizing that while the holiday doesn’t eliminate pain, it promises God’s presence within it. The key biblical message is from 1 John 3:8b, highlighting that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, marking a divine invasion into a world filled with darkness and suffering. Despite the celebration of Christmas, many struggle with ongoing pain and brokenness, prompting a reflection on the apparent tension between the promise of salvation and life’s persistent challenges. The sermon explores how Christ’s birth did not immediately end evil but provoked it, as illustrated by King Herod’s violent response. This confrontation is central to the Christmas narrative, marking the beginning of a divine strategy to dismantle the powers of sin and death. While the ultimate victory over evil is secured, its consummation is pending, akin to the period between D-Day and the end of World War II. In this in-between time, Christmas redefines suffering, offering believers hope, trust, and worship despite ongoing struggles. The incarnation assures that pain is not meaningless, suffering is not isolating, and death is not final. This transformative perspective encourages believers to live anchored in the certainty of Christ’s victory, despite life’s persistent trials.
