Joy of Christmas
Christmas is a wonderful season. I love Christmas. Now, when I think about Christmas, it reminds us of this, of the birth of Jesus
December 22, 2024
Christmas is a wonderful season. I love Christmas. Now, when I think about Christmas, it reminds us of this, of the birth of Jesus in Matthew chapter 1. It begins by sharing the genealogy of Jesus. And when Jewish writers write about genealogy, they don’t mention women at all because it’s a patriarchal society. They just talk about whose father was whom and who begat whom. But it’s so interesting that in that genealogy, you see four women mentioned, starting with Tamar. The second is Rahab. Now, if you know the background stories of these women, they’re very unusual and unique stories. But one thing that is very common about all four of them is that they have a questionable past. None of them were Jewish; they were all Gentiles.
See, look at the grace of God that the Holy Spirit inspired Matthew to mention these four women—Gentiles with a questionable past. What does this tell us? That even though they had a questionable past, even though they were not Jews, even though they were women, God can redeem anything and anybody. The message of Christmas begins by saying that God can redeem your questionable past.
It begins by saying that God can redeem your honor. Amen. It’s a story of redemption. Christmas is the story of redemption, and it brings hope by saying, “Hey, whatever you’ve done in the past, God can redeem everything in Jesus.” Isn’t that powerful—that God can redeem your past?
Now, when Jesus was born, one angel appeared to a group of shepherds.
Luke 2:10 – “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Jesus is the good news of great joy—not great sadness. That’s right! Don’t be surprised if you step into the church and see people joyful. Thank you for that amazing response! Good news of great joy. Isn’t it funny that you can step into a church and see people crying? Everybody thinks that the church is so spiritual because people are crying. If people are on their knees, they’re crying. “Oh man, this church is very good.” But if people are joyful, they think, “Very worldly!” But it’s good news of great joy. Amen.
The angel said, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” It’s not just for the Jews; it’s for all people—not just for Christians, for all people. It’s not just for Pentecostals, but for everyone! Then the angel says,
Luke 2:11-12 – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger”
So the angel comes to them and tells them about the birth of Jesus and gives them a sign. The sign is that the baby will be wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Have you ever wondered why a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, is a sign? Every baby is wrapped in swaddling clothes, but maybe lying in a manger is unique.
Now, let me give you a little bit of background. See, the priests wore linen clothes. In Jerusalem, in the temple, they would work so hard that sometimes the clothes would be stained with blood, sweat, and other impurities. What they would do is not throw away these clothes because they were sanctified. Instead, they would decommission them by giving them to shepherds who took care of sheep.
The shepherds, when they received these priestly clothes—the old, used ones—would use them for wrapping lambs that were born. Lambs are very fragile creatures, so they would wrap them with these linen clothes so that the lamb would be stable. In that stability and protection, the lamb would grow. Is it possible that the blood-stained cloth of the priest was wrapped around a lamb? When the shepherd saw Jesus lying in a manger, yes, one sign was the manger, of course, because animals are there. But the other sign was that he was wrapped in swaddling clothes—the same linen cloth the shepherd would use to wrap his lambs. For the shepherd, that was a sign of what John the Baptist later declared: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” .
Now, I want you to picture this: Baby Jesus is lying in a manger, tightly wrapped with swaddling clothes. Think about it. When you read your Bible, use your imagination. Christmas is not just about the birth of Jesus that happened 2,000 years ago. Christmas continues even today. Christmas because Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). That’s why we keep celebrating Christmas. It is not an event that happened 2,000 years ago—it still happens even now. So now, do you remember that picture of swaddling clothes? When a baby is wrapped in swaddling clothes, it’s so tightly wrapped that the baby often can’t make huge movements. Now, also understand that when the Jews buried their dead, they also used clothes to wrap their bodies entirely. Remember Lazarus? Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out” , and he came out. Have you ever wondered how Lazarus came out of the tomb when he was entirely wrapped in linen? I used to imagine him coming out hopping. But what if the power of resurrection that raised Lazarus from the dead could also bring him out of the grave? The same power of resurrection that raised Christ from the dead can also deliver you from your circumstances.
Now, when the Jews buried their dead, they would tie them tightly in linen. A dead body is tied with linen tightly, but in that tight covering, there may be a slight movement that shows life. For a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, there is a struggle—a struggle that shows life.
Now, I want you to read.
Romans 8:18 – “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
The word “time” here can also be translated as “world” or “age.” Paul is not saying that on earth you will suffer and then finally be set free in heaven. He is saying that right now you may be suffering, but this is nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in you.
The glory revealed in you is more powerful than the suffering you face externally. Paul is saying that your external suffering is nothing compared to the inner reality of God’s glory, which is pressing to come out. Your external reality is like the swaddling clothes trying to confine you, but inside you is the zoe, the glory of God, trying to push out. Paul emphasizes that this glory is more powerful than the forces trying to limit you. For a dead body, there is no struggle in the swaddling clothes, but for a baby, there is a struggle—a sign of life. If you are suffering, it means you are alive. The power and life of God are working within you, trying to emerge.
How many of you face challenges today? Those challenges are not there to destroy you but to reveal the glory inside you. That is why James 1:2 says,
James 1:2 – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”
What happens when you crush an apple? Apple juice comes out. Crush a mango, and mango juice comes out. Crush an orange, and orange juice comes out. Now, if you crush a Christian, what should come out? Christ!
Don’t worry when challenges press you; they exist to reveal what’s inside.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 – “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”
Every challenge you face is not there to snuff out your life—it is there to reveal the life within you. We wouldn’t know David as a giant slayer if Goliath hadn’t stood in his way. Challenges reveal the strength and glory within you. As 2 Corinthians 4:7 reminds us:
2 Corinthians 4:7 – “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
Yes, we are jars of clay, but inside us is the treasure of God’s glory. So, remember what Paul says in Romans 8:18. The suffering you experience is not about being poor, sick, or downtrodden—it is about the glory within you breaking through.
It is for Christ in you to be revealed to the world. Romans 8:19 says:
“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.”
Notice it says sons of God, not just the Son of God. Sadly, many in the church are waiting for Jesus to come, but the creation is waiting for the sons of God to be revealed. Why is creation waiting? Let’s continue with Romans 8:20-21:
Romans 8:20-21 – “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”
Creation is waiting because it was subjected to futility—not willingly, but by God, who did so in hope. Understand this: the devil doesn’t operate in hope. Only God does.
Here’s the story: when Adam and Eve walked in the garden, the earth was glorious. But because of their sin, the earth was cursed. In His wisdom, God tied the fate of creation to the fate of mankind. Why? In hope. In hope that man would be redeemed, and through man’s redemption, the entire creation would also be redeemed. Even the dog you pet is not in its full glory. All creation is waiting for the sons of God to be revealed because when that happens, creation will also step into its full glory.
Romans 8:22-23 – “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
Creation is groaning inwardly, longing for liberation. Similarly, we, too, are groaning inwardly. Why? Because we are eagerly waiting for the redemption of our bodies. This mortal body, which seems to confine us now, will be swallowed up by the life and glory that is inside us. The Holy Spirit you have received is not just a spirit of comfort—it is the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. Where is the Holy Spirit? Inside you. But He hasn’t come to rest or be dormant. The same Holy Spirit who created the cosmos lives in you. If the Holy Spirit can fill the universe, don’t you think He can also consume your emotions, your thoughts, your body, your finances, your relationships—even your city?
As Jesus said in John 7:38:
John 7:38 – “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
The Spirit within you is overflowing. He is ready to transform not just your life but everything around you. Remember, when Adam sinned, he realized he was naked. But even before sin, Adam was naked. The difference? Before sin, he was clothed with the glory of God. That same Spirit within you can clothe you with glory, like a fountain flowing outward.
2 Corinthians 5:4 -“For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.”
What is mortal—your body—will be swallowed up by the life and glory of God inside you. This glory is not meant to stay inside; it is meant to consume and transform every part of your being. Think of it this way: your life is like an iPad. The manufacturer has filled it with potential. It’s now up to you how much of that potential you use. Similarly, God’s work in you is finished. From His perspective, you are complete, perfect, holy, righteous, healed, and sanctified. When you look at yourself, you might only see a seed. But when God looks at you, He sees the tree inside the seed. He knows the potential within you. That’s why He says, “Christ in you, the hope of glory”
So we sit in our homes, in the comfort of our sofas, and we tell God, “Promote me.” There was a man praying, “God, help me to love more people.” Almost immediately, there was a knock on the door because God answers prayers quickly. When he opened the door, the person standing there was the one who irritated him the most. What did you pray for? “I want to love more,”. Be careful what you’re praying for. When God promotes you, it doesn’t happen magically or through fantasy. We often think God will wave a wand, like in a fairy tale, and suddenly transform us. But promotion from God requires responsibility and preparation.
Affirmation is already inside you. It’s for you to believe in and to walk in your identity and authority. See, the principle of swimming in a six-foot pool and swimming in the sea is the same. If you haven’t practiced in the pool, don’t venture into the sea. Similarly, you take the Word of God step by step. Every challenge you face is a stepping stone for Christ to be revealed in you.
The problem is, most of us give up too soon. To satisfy our ego, we say, “This is not my gifting,” or “This is not my calling.” But so what if you’ve prayed a hundred times for your health to be restored, and you’re still struggling with sickness? It doesn’t change the fact that God has already healed you:
“By His wounds, we are healed.” So what if you’re still struggling financially? The truth remains: “He became poor so that you might become rich.” Would you rather believe the truth of His Word, or would you limit yourself by giving in to false comfort? We live in an age where comfort is prioritized over truth. But truth, combined with love, is what redeems us. Every opportunity God brings your way will come disguised as a challenge.
Let me tell you a story. Someone once asked me to pray for their promotion. I prayed, and they got promoted. A few weeks later, they came back saying, “Pastor, the stress is too much! Work responsibilities are overwhelming me.” Well, of course! Promotion comes with responsibility.
God doesn’t just transport us to the throne and say, “Now you’re in charge.” Every power He gives comes with responsibility. God is waiting for us to step into our identity and authority, but with that comes responsibility.
When I preach about being co-heirs with Christ, everyone says “Amen!” But do you know that inheritance comes with responsibilities?
Romans 8:17 – “If we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”
If you’re not willing to take responsibility, you won’t operate in that authority. Don’t fool yourself. In the Kingdom, promotion happens when you embrace greater responsibility. Why would God promote you if you’re unwilling to work? Imagine calling yourself a CEO but having no one under you. Taking on responsibility is what activates the potential God has placed inside you.
Look at David. What gave him the boldness to face Goliath? Yes, his strength came from the Lord, but he also had experience. He had been practicing in the wilderness.
1 Samuel 17:37 – “The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
When the lion came, David fought it. When the bear came, he fought it. His preparation in the wilderness equipped him for the giant. Where you are right now, praise God that you’re not yet in the spotlight. Praise Him because this is your time to prepare. Exercise, fail, and get back up. Keep exercising. When a baby learns to walk, they start by crawling. No parent keeps count of how many times the baby falls. Instead, they celebrate every step the baby takes. That’s how your Heavenly Father is. He’s not keeping count of how many times you’ve failed; He’s celebrating every time you rise and take a step forward. Are you walking now? Did you crawl into church today? No, because once you’ve learned to walk, you don’t go back to crawling. It’s the same with walking in the Spirit. Be faithful where you are right now. The small steps you take in faith will prepare you for the giants ahead.
Be faithful with God. God has blessed you. Be faithful with the people that God has given you. Enjoy. You know, I came to ministry 20 years ago, but full-time ministry 10 years ago. When I was in ministry, I would prepare so much from the word to preach. And I would go up, and there were like five people. You know, I would preach my heart out, preach my lungs. Why? Because when I’m speaking to those five people, I’m not just seeing the five people. I’m seeing multitudes inside of them. Your beginning may be small, but your later end will be glorious. I’m telling you, never despise your humble beginning. Never despise it. You’re here for a season, but this is not your destination. You are going higher. God has, has positioned you, Christ the hope of glory. So, it is for him, it is for him, for his name’s sake that you come into Light.
But he keeps you in the darkness so that you will be trained and so that you can grow. You know, when photographic films are developed, they’re developed in the dark. Because if too much light is exposed, you might destroy the film. So, this is what I feel right now in my spirit. I sense like most of you feel like you’ve been in the dark. You’ve been in the secret place, not the darkness of the devil, but you’ve been in the dark, in the secret place where the Lord has covered you in his shadow. That is because the Lord is developing you. Never, never, never despise the training of the Holy Spirit. It’s so powerful and so beautiful. If you have not been revealed to the world, it is God’s timing. It is God’s grace. Because when you are prepared, when you’re developed, when he reveals you, he highlights you to the world, then you’ll shine in the glory of God. That’s when never try to promote yourself, never try to elevate yourself before God does it. ‘Cause here’s the thing, if you elevate yourself, you will need to keep doing it again and again. Rest in the Lord, trust Him.
The message of Christmas is also this: that God can redeem your past and He’s taking you somewhere very beautiful and perfect in a, in a perfect destiny that God has for you. But here’s the thing, in the meantime, in the meantime, trust in him. He’s got it. Your lives are in His hands. He knows what He’s doing with you. Be faithful where you are. Be faithful where you are. Don’t give up. Every challenge that you face, take it with joy. I’m telling you, in all these years of ministry, any problem that has happened in the church, at face value, it always seemed overwhelming. This feels very overwhelming. I can tell you so many problems that we faced. But now, in hindsight, I can see that those were all God’s way of promoting us. Those were opportunities for God’s way of promoting us. I’m not saying that God does bad things. There are times when the devil works and he brings bad things and he brings adverse circumstances to you. But Romans 8:28 says,
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
So not everything that happens to you is good. And I know that for those who love God, all things, say with me, all things, all things includes the good, the bad, and the ugly. He works them together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. So don’t get frustrated. Yeah. Look at your neighbor and tell them, “Don’t get frustrated”. If you are here right now, you are on the right track. I’m saying if you can hear God’s word, if you can pray, it’s a sign that you are on the right track. That in itself is a big evidence that God is working. You should be worried when you lose the heart for prayer. Then you should be worried. But as long as you can hear God’s word and you can pray, be assured that God is still working in you. Be patient, be relaxed, be rested knowing that He has covered you. Now, this year you might have had so many dreams with so many disappointments, but I want you to see beyond the disappointment, it was God preparing you for something. You know, when I started in ministry, I pulled all that I had in me because that’s the only way to do ministry. And we hired a team of 20 people at that time. Then I did not know that we were going to be a church. But you know, we used to be a team of people who would do youth meetings and, you know, just encourage young people. Now, in that 20, I had like my core seven people who were core. You know, you had the core, the closest man.I was like really hoping I had dreams with them. We had planned so many things together. But 2017, something happened that all of these seven people, they just left. There were reasonable reasons. Some left because of jobs. Some left because of a change in place. But somehow it just felt like all of them left. And I felt so alone. In my head, I felt my team is gone. I’m looking back five years of ministry that I did, wondering, what was I doing it for? I was pouring everything that I had into them, and they have left me. Everything that I sowed, I am looking for fruit and I can’t see the fruit.
Just recently, the Lord reminded me of that incident, and then He asked me, “Do you know what the fruit is when everybody left? Do you know what the fruit is?” I am the fruit. Because in that challenge, He was preparing me. He was building me. You know, when we started the church, we had so many people come in and be part of our team, so many people in whose lives I hadn’t sown, but I’m reaping the harvest. So it’s okay if you don’t reap the harvest where you have sowed, because you’ll also reap the harvest of other people’s sowing. Because we are all part of the kingdom. We’re all working in the kingdom. I’m saying regardless of whether you see a big fruit or not, always know that you are the fruit that God is developing in you. What did I learn from that experience? You know what I learned? It was a dark season of my life, but I learned Psalm 23:4:
Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
I want to encourage you today: whatever challenge you’re facing is not meant to crush you. It’s meant to reveal the Christ that is inside you. But at the same time, don’t get frustrated where you are. Rest. If you can hear His word and you can pray, oh man, you’re in the best place ever. You could be making millions of dollars, but if you can’t hear God’s word, I’m telling you, be careful. God is developing you. He’s developing you as a son of God. He’s developing you. This is what I sense in my spirit: 2025 is going to be such a time of upliftment for some of you. For those who are prepared, it will be a time of jubilee and celebration. But this will be a time of elevation for you. Some of you, who have been developed in the secret place for a long time, God is going to bring you to the light. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. You’re going to be a city, a city, a city. Expect God to move supernaturally in your life.
But for some of you, 2025 is going to be a year of birthing. Those things you never thought would happen in your life, you are going to birth. It’s going to start small, but it’s going to be new. It’s going to be fresh. But regardless, 2025 is just days away. But in these last days, expect the craziest miracle that you can imagine. Expectation high, because whatever word you receive for this year, none of them will fall to the ground. His word will come through, His word will be fulfilled.
Here’s another prophetic word that I have for you: for some of you who have had broken relationships, issues, and distraught relationships, they are going to get mended very soon. Amen. Be expecting. The hand of the Lord will do this. Our responsibility is to stand in faith and believe.
You are the vessel of redemption where God is redeeming you.
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