Sermon Summary: With Us, Part 1: The Gift of Others
God’s ultimate solution to our aloneness wasn’t just sending other people—it was sending Himself, in Jesus.
Summary
Christmas reminds us of our deep need for connection, not just with one another but ultimately with God. Through the birth of Jesus, God fulfilled His sovereign promise to reconcile humanity to Himself and to restore broken relationships. As we draw closer to Him, by His grace, we find healing, forgiveness, and unity with others. This message invites us to respond to Christ’s coming by embracing God’s gracious call, seeking peace in our relationships, and embracing our role as His Church—a forgiven and forgiving family.
Big Idea
"Christmas is about restoring relationships—first with God, by His grace, then with each other."
Introduction
Have you noticed how many Christmas movies revolve around family gatherings and unexpected guests?
Think about it! There's George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life, rediscovering the importance of family and community after a rough time. Or Buddy the Elf, bringing his boundless enthusiasm to reconnect with his very reluctant father. And then there’s John McClane in Die Hard (yes, despite what Bruce Willis says, it is a Christmas movie!) trying to patch things up with his estranged wife in the middle of a hostage crisis. And who could forget Cousin Eddie in Christmas Vacation, showing up uninvited with an RV and parking it right in Clark Griswold's driveway?
What do all these stories have in common? They remind us that the holidays are about relationships. Even for those who don’t believe in Jesus, there’s something about this season that draws people together. We seem wired to crave connection, to rejoice in reunion, and—yes—even to endure the occasional Cousin Eddie.
But Christmas does more than just bring people together in movies. It does that in real life, too. Families, friends, neighbors, even long-lost acquaintances reconnect. Sometimes, it even reunites people who aren’t exactly thrilled to see each other! This longing for connection isn’t new—it’s been there from the beginning.
When God created Adam, He said, "It is not good for man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18). So He created Eve, giving Adam the gift of companionship. God’s design for humanity has always been about community and relationships. We are made for togetherness, reflecting the relational nature of our Creator.
We know this to be true, not just spiritually, but physically, emotionally, and mentally. Loneliness isn’t just emotionally difficult; it’s physically harmful. Studies show that chronic loneliness is as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Prolonged isolation increases the risk of dementia and weakens the immune system. No wonder God declared that being alone was “not good.” His design for us to thrive in connection is built into every part of who we are.
The message is clear: we were made for relationships. And in this season, we’re reminded that God’s ultimate solution to our aloneness wasn’t just sending other people—it was sending Himself, in Jesus. In this way, Christmas is about restoring relationships—first with God, then with each other.
God Didn’t Give Up
If you know the story of Scripture, you know that humanity’s relationship with God started beautifully—and then it broke. The Bible calls this break “sin.” It’s not just about doing wrong things; it’s about distrusting and disobeying God. More than this, sin is a deep-seated rebellion against God’s holiness, leaving us unable to restore ourselves apart from His grace (Ephesians 2:1-5).
When Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis 3), their relationship with God shattered—and so did their relationships with each other. Soon after, their son Cain killed his brother Abel (Genesis 4). Sin didn’t just break our bond with God; it broke our bond with each other. We became self-centered, telling God, “We want Your blessings, but not You.” And we started treating people the same way.
But here’s the incredible thing: God didn’t give up on us. Right in the middle of humanity’s failure, God promised a Savior. In Genesis 3:15, He told the serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.”
This was the first promise of Christmas. A Rescuer would come—someone who would leave the glory of heaven to heal what we broke. God didn’t just make reconciliation possible; He sovereignly pursued us, overcoming our resistance to bring us into His family by grace. Jesus didn’t just come to fix us; He came to be with us forever.
Instead of Giving Up, He Gave Himself
Fast forward to that first Christmas night. God’s promise in Genesis became flesh in Bethlehem. Through Jesus, God provided a way for reconciliation—not just with Him, but with each other.
The Apostle Paul puts it this way: “God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in [Jesus], and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things” (Colossians 1:19-20).
Think about that. Jesus didn’t come to scold us or shame us. He came to give Himself. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection, Jesus fulfilled God’s covenant of grace, making reconciliation with God possible for His elect. He came to rebuild what we tore apart.
And as we draw closer to Him by His Spirit’s power, something amazing happens: we draw closer to each other.
As We Draw Closer to Him, We Draw Closer to Each Other
I remember a friend who told me about his father’s journey of reconciliation. His dad struggled with alcohol, and it had damaged his relationships. One night, after stumbling home drunk, he collapsed on the floor and tearfully whispered, “Please, Lord, help me.” Not knowing what else to do, the family called their local pastor. The pastor shared the gospel, and the father believed. He sought help, became sober, and over time, was reconciled with his family. He even grew into a godly leader in his home and church.
This is what happens when God moves into our lives. As Psalm 68:6 says, “God places the lonely in families.”
Think of the people God brought together around the birth of Jesus:
- Mary and Joseph: A young, faithful couple trusting God with a miraculous plan.
- The shepherds: Lowly and marginalized, yet the first to hear the good news.
- The Magi: Wealthy foreigners who traveled far to worship a King they didn’t fully understand.
This wasn’t a random gathering. It was a glimpse of what Jesus came to do: unite people from every background into one family. As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:14-16, “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”
If God can bring shepherds and wise men together, He can certainly handle your family Christmas dinner!
The Church: A Forgiven and Forgiving Family
The beauty of the gospel is that it doesn’t stop at forgiveness—it builds a family. The Spirit works in us to live as a forgiven and forgiving family, enabling us to pursue reconciliation as a fruit of God’s transforming grace. Jesus commanded, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).
The Church is meant to be a place where love is more than a word—it’s an action. It’s where people find belonging, healing, and purpose.
So, how can we foster that kind of community?
- Invite someone for coffee or lunch. Hospitality opens doors to deeper relationships. A simple invitation can make someone feel seen and valued.
- Reach out to someone who’s struggling. A phone call, a text, or a visit can remind someone they’re not alone.
- Extend forgiveness, even when it’s hard. Forgiveness is the glue that holds relationships together. It reflects Christ’s grace and creates space for healing.
- Serve in your community or church. When we serve together, we grow together. Volunteer for a ministry, a local shelter, or a community event.
- Be intentional about reconciliation. If there’s a strained relationship in your life, pray about taking the first step toward healing. Even a small act of kindness can break down barriers.
God calls us not just to attend a church, but to be the Church.
Our Response This Christmas
As that first Christmas brought shepherds and wise men together in worship, Jesus still invites us into relationships—with Him and with one another. This season offers a unique opportunity to reflect on Christ’s work of reconciliation and to extend that work in our own lives. Let’s respond in three ways:
First, be reconciled with God.
Jesus came to restore us to the Father, bridging the gap created by our sin. This reconciliation begins with humility, acknowledging our need for His grace and forgiveness. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:18, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
Take time this season to reflect on the magnitude of God’s love displayed in Christ’s birth, life, and sacrifice. Create intentional moments for personal prayer, reading Scripture, and meditating on passages like Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Confess areas where you’ve drifted or held back from fully surrendering to Him, and receive His forgiveness with joy and gratitude.
Consider using this Christmas as an opportunity to renew the enjoyment of your relationship with God, perhaps by journaling your reflections on His grace or participating in a worship service with fresh focus. Respond to God’s gracious call to be reconciled, acknowledging that His Spirit draws us to repentance and faith.
Second, be reconciled with others.
The message of Christmas is one of healing and restoration—not just between God and humanity, but among us as well. As Paul exhorts in Colossians 3:13, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Reconciliation often begins with a single act of courage. Perhaps it’s writing a heartfelt letter, making a phone call, or offering a kind word to someone you’ve been distant from. It may mean apologizing for a past wrong or choosing to let go of a grudge that has lingered too long. Remember, forgiveness is not about excusing the wrong but about reflecting Christ’s grace, which has been freely given to us.
If the thought of reconciliation feels overwhelming, start with prayer. Ask God to soften your heart and guide your steps. Pray for the person with whom you’re estranged, and seek wisdom on how to approach them with humility and love. As those reconciled to God by grace, we are empowered by the Spirit to extend forgiveness and pursue peace with others.
Pursue and embrace Christ’s peace in your heart and relationships.
Christ’s peace is not simply the absence of conflict; it is the presence of wholeness, unity, and calm rooted in His sovereignty. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:7, “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Pray specifically for Christ’s peace to fill your home, your friendships, and your community this season. If your family gatherings are marked by tension or unresolved issues, ask God to make you a peacemaker, following Jesus’ call in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” This could mean actively choosing patience during difficult conversations or being the first to extend kindness in a strained relationship.
Let this peace guide your interactions and set the tone for your celebrations. Instead of striving for perfection or control, rest in God’s presence and trust His ability to work in and through your circumstances. Reflect on Isaiah 9:6, which proclaims Jesus as the “Prince of Peace,” and invite Him to reign over every aspect of your life.
A Prayer for This Christmas
As we reflect on Christ’s gift of reconciliation, let’s adopt the prayer of Romans 15:5-6: “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
May this Christmas be marked by healing, forgiveness, and the joy of drawing closer to God and each other in His love.
Amen.