The Non-Christmas Christmas Message

Christmas
Written By Phillip Allen
 

Sermon Summary

This sermon centered on Isaiah 66:1–2 and the overwhelming reality of who God is versus who we are. God declares that all of heaven is His throne and the earth is merely His footstool, confronting human tendencies to overestimate our importance and what we offer Him. The message emphasized that God is not impressed by buildings, achievements, religious performance, or visible success, because everything humans create is only possible by His permission. Instead, God makes clear what truly captures His attention and where He chooses to “rest”: a person who is humble, contrite in spirit, and who trembles at His word.

The sermon traced this theme through Scripture, showing that humility is not only what God requires but what God Himself displays. From God “containing” His glory so creatures can be near Him, to Christ leaving eternal glory to become human, Christmas is ultimately a display of divine humility. Jesus perfectly embodied the posture God desires—humble dependence, brokenness over sin, and obedient reverence toward God’s word. The message challenged listeners to examine not their performance, but the posture of their hearts, urging them to live lives shaped by reverent obedience rather than entitlement, self-importance, or religious confidence.

Main Points to Consider This Week

  • Sermon goals

    • To give a reason and motive to be in awe of God.

    • To highlight one of the most overlooked realities of Christmas: God’s humility.

  • Key theological framework

    • God’s Scale vs. Human Presumption: Heaven is God’s throne and earth His footstool, exposing how small human achievements are in comparison to His greatness.

    • What God Truly Values: God is not impressed by what we build or do for Him, but by humility, contrition, and reverent obedience.

  • God’s definition of the person He “looks to”

    • Humble: Brought low by circumstances and dependent on God.

    • Contrite in spirit: Internally broken by a true understanding of God’s holiness and our sin.

    • Trembles at God’s word: Treats Scripture as authoritative, serious, and worthy of obedience.

  • Christmas reframed

    • Christmas is not only about salvation arriving, but about God humbling Himself—leaving infinite glory to dwell among humanity.

  • Questions to ask

    • Am I more focused on what I do for God or the posture of my heart before Him?

    • Do my circumstances shape my obedience, or does God’s word?

    • Am I casual about sin or reverent toward God’s holiness?

    • Is my obedience driven by love for God or by what I hope to get from Him?

Scripture References Used

  • Isaiah 66:1–2

  • Revelation 4:1–6

  • Proverbs 20:8

  • Joshua 10:24

  • Psalm 99:5

  • Psalm 110:1

  • Lamentations 2:1

  • Matthew 5:34–35

  • Ezra 1:1–3

  • Isaiah 44:28

  • Isaiah 45

  • Acts 2:37

  • 1 Corinthians 2:3

  • Hebrews 12:21

  • James 2:19

  • Philippians 2:5–8

  • John 5:19

  • John 14:11

  • 1 Kings 8:27

  • John 17:5, 24

  • Hebrews 5:7

  • Matthew 4:3–4

  • Luke 18:9–14

  • Revelation 12:11

Phillip Allen
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