November 30, 2025
That's What Christmas Means To Me
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
What is the real meaning of Christmas?
The first real meaning of Christmas is found in its name.
Learning the roots of our faith can give you a stronger connection to how we got here.
Isaiah 7:10-11 NIV
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”
Isaiah 7:12 NIV
But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”
A defining characteristic of God is that He is trustworthy and faithful.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“great love” = (c)hesed
God absolutely loves to prove Himself faithful and trustworthy, and Christmas is a great example of that!
Isaiah 7:13 NIV
Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?”
2 Samuel 7:5 NIV
“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?’”
2 Samuel 7:11b NIV
“The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you:”
2 Samuel 7:12 NIV
“When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom.”
2 Samuel 7:13 NIV
“He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”
2 Samuel 7:16 NIV
“Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”
Isaiah 7:14 NIV
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Immanuel = God is with Us
Luke 1:26-27 NIV
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
I understand these details may be hard to believe in for some of you. I encourage you to see them as breadcrumbs of “(c)hesed” from God, who loves you very much.
Luke 1:28 NIV
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
A repeated reminder in the Bible is that God is with us.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Luke 1:29-30 NIV
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.”
Luke 1:31-32 NIV
“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus (Yeshua). He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,”
Luke 1:33 NIV
“and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:34-35 NIV
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
May you be encouraged this Christmas to trust deeply that God is with you and wants to reveal His faithfulness to you in Jesus Christ, His son.
Luke 1:37 NIV
“For no word from God will ever fail.”