Making The "Christmas Sermon" Relevant For Today’s Culture
Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI
Biblical Authority Ministries, December 18, 2025 (Donate)
If you think that the average “Christmas message” doesn’t
move non-believers, you’re not alone. It’s that time of year! During this
Christmas season, I heard several sermons on the birth of Jesus.
Now, in our Western culture that is rapidly losing its
once-Christian worldview, Christians and Christian leaders need to use this
time, more than ever, to challenge non-Christians. But will they give the vital
message people need to hear at this time of history?
Brought A Friend To Church
I was thrilled to be able to bring a friend who has
struggled with the Christian faith for his entire life to church one Christmas
season. Just before we arrived, he asked me a question that has been troubling
him.
I was fascinated to note that he didn’t ask about Jesus and
the manger, or about the shepherds or the angels who proclaimed the birth of
Jesus on earth—instead, he asked,
“Why do many Christians use organ
transplants to prolong their life or try to prolong the lives of their children
when they’re born with problems when God has deemed it was their time to die?”
He continued,
“Why wouldn’t a Christian accept
their death that comes from God? Shouldn’t they just accept it if they are true
Christians and want to go to heaven instead of trying to survive on this earth?”
Now, why would he ask questions like that? The answer is
that increasingly, the culture is losing the true meaning of Christmas because
the education system and the media continues to indoctrinate people to reject
the Bible as absolute truth. Instead, the Christian faith and the Bible is
attacked and ridiculed and condemned as a “book of stories” because so-called science
has supposedly proved it cannot be true—particularly in its history in Genesis.
I’m sure my friend wasn’t expecting an answer. After all,
such questions as the ones he asked have been leveled at Christians for years.
(Sadly, many Christians don’t know how to answer such questions, because they,
like him, have not believed the true history of the world from Genesis—which
explains the origin and meaning of death.)
Now, I was sure the sermon we were about to hear would be
from a pastor who assumed people believed, or at least had a decent grasp on
the Bible. I thought he would remind them of the babe in a manger and why He
came to earth. I realized that my friend needed answers, so he would know that
he could trust the Bible before he even heard the sermon. I was pleased he had
asked me what was on his heart and what was obviously stopping him from
considering the Christian faith.
My friend had viewed death, suffering and dying as something
for which God must be responsible. He did not understand that death was
an enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26), an intrusion due to sin.
Death wasn’t something that God made and declared “very good”
in Genesis 1:31, but a result of sin. I explained that God created a
perfect world, and because the first man Adam sinned, death entered the world
as the punishment for sin. I had to explain that the earth was not millions
of years old as he had been indoctrinated to believe, and thus there was
not death, disease and bloodshed for millions of years before man’s existence.
I continued: When man sinned, God as a righteous and holy Creator
had to judge sin with death. He cursed the ground and no longer upheld things
in a perfect state so as to give us a taste of what happens without God. Thus,
God is permitting things like disease, suffering etc., to happen, but He isn’t
the one to blame for this—man is.
Then it was like a light bulb came on in my friend’s head.
With this new view of God, the Bible started to make sense to him. Sadly, there
are many people within the church who accept the supposed millions of years,
instead of the truth as given in Genesis.
Because of this, they don’t have valid answers for people
like my friend, but instead would ignore his questions and instead relate the babe
in the manger (like we always do at Christmas) in the hope my friend would
start believing.
Many people struggle with accepting the truth of Jesus and
the Bible because they have the wrong view of history. They, like my friend,
have been indoctrinated to reject the Bible as a true account of history and
the meaning of life. This is a major stumbling block for so many people
believing God’s Word and being saved.
Knowing that many non-Christians view God like this and also
knowing that they only set foot in church about once a year, I’m praying that
Christian leaders will take advantage of this opportunity and address
these issues, that are relevant issues for where the culture is at today, while
speaking during this Christmas season. This could make such a difference in the
lives of many who have a faulty view of God, and thus challenge them concerning
the truths of the Bible.
Foundation of Christmas
In one sermon that I already heard, the minister said “let’s
turn in the Bible to the foundation of Christmas.” Then he said to go to Luke
chapter 2. I immediately thought to myself, “That’s not the foundation of
Christmas. That was the first Christmas.”
The foundation of Christmas goes back much further. It
starts in the first book of the Bible—Genesis. The initial reference to the
birth of Jesus is in Genesis 3:15.
And I will put enmity Between you
and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And
you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15, NKJV)
The prediction of the Virgin Birth (a small inkling of the seed
of a woman) of Jesus came immediately after Adam and Eve sinned. Though
they were sentenced to die, God in His mercy and subsequent wisdom gave a promise
of redemption through the one who would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14)—Jesus
Christ.
In fact, many references to Jesus’ birth have their
foundation in Genesis such as Jesus being a descendant of Isaac (Genesis 26:4)
and Jacob (Genesis 28:13-14). Ultimately, the foundation of Jesus’ birth goes
back to Genesis.
Genesis is where a Christmas sermon should
start—particularly in a culture that has been brainwashed to believe this part
of the Bible cannot possibly be true. Why would these people listen to a sermon
about Bethlehem, the stable, the shepherds and the wise men—if they already
think the Book this all comes from cannot be trusted at its foundation?
Genesis is where we first learn about the bad
news of Adam’s sin that allowed death to enter into the creation.
In today’s culture, people continually preach the good news of
Jesus but fail to teach the bad news in Genesis. This is why many don’t
listen to the good news because they failed to understand the bad news in
Genesis.
We need to teach people to understand why they
need Jesus before they’ll understand their need to receive Jesus. They need a
proper foundation—they need to be taken back to Genesis and first of all be
taught that modern science has not disproved this historical document but
actually confirms it. Then they need to be taught the foundational truths of
Genesis that enable one to understand what the babe in a manger is all about.
Why Jesus Had To Be Born
Back in Genesis, the bad news of Adam’s sin was punishable
by death (Genesis 2:17). Romans 6:23 confirms that the wages of sin
is death. Adam and Eve sinned, so something had to die to cover that sin.
This is why God killed animals to cover Adam and Eve’s sin (Genesis
3:21). Although we don’t know what animals were sacrificed, we have often
pictured it as a lamb as a foreshadowing of the Gospel. Jesus, the Lamb of God,
was the final sacrifice to cover peoples’ sins on the Cross.
Abel, Noah, Abraham and the Israelites followed this pattern by presenting sin offerings to cover their sins by sacrificing an animal life for their disobedience to God. But an animal can’t take away the infinite punishment we deserve from an infinite God due to the sin of a man. Furthermore, humans are not related to any other creature—man was made in the image of God—not the image of an animal.
But God is a God of grace. When someone rightly decrees
punishment to someone for their crime, then, out of love, takes that punishment
upon themselves—that’s grace—and mercy. This is why our Creator, in the person
of Jesus Christ, had to come into the world—He became a man (but remained fully
God) so He could pay the ultimate penalty for our sin—going back to the first
sin in Genesis 3.
God sentenced man to death because of our sin. He showed His
love for us by exercising grace and took the punishment upon Himself. Jesus,
being God, came into the world just like any other person—by being born. Yet
Jesus lived a perfect life so that He could be the final sacrifice to cover all
people’s sin. This is why Jesus was born and why Jesus had to die. This is why
Jesus is called “the last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45)—He in effect became a “new
Adam,” a “second Adam,” a “perfect Adam,” so He could die for the descendants
of Adam and offer them a free gift of salvation.
The Bible says the greatest act of love is when one lays
down his life for his friends (John 15:13). The God of the Bible displays this
kind of love.
Was Jesus Really Born Of A Virgin?
Beside Genesis 3:15, Isaiah also predicted that a
virgin would bear a child and this would be a sign.
Then he said, “Hear now, O house of
David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my
God also? “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin
shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah
7:13-14, NKJV)
These prophecies were manifested in Mary, a virgin. She
delivered a baby boy who was called Immanuel—meaning ‘God with us.’ For more on
the virgin birth please take some time to read The
Isaiah 7:14 Passage (offsite).
Besides, Joseph couldn’t be the father of Jesus! The
genealogy of Joseph in Matthew 1:1-16 yields that Jeconiah (variation
of Jehoiachin) was a direct ancestor of Joseph.
Why is this significant? Please read the prophecy given to
Jehoiachin from Jeremiah:
Thus says the LORD: ‘Write this man
down as childless, A man who shall not prosper in his days; For none of
his descendants shall prosper, Sitting on the throne of David, And ruling
anymore in Judah.’ (Jeremiah 22:30, NKJV)
Jesus, sitting forever on the throne of David, could not
have been Jehoiachin’s descendant since no descendant of Jeconiah, thus
descendant of Joseph, could inherit the throne of David. Therefore, Mary had to
be a virgin. Isaiah confirms that Jesus will reign on the throne of David.
Of the increase of His
government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and
over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From
that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform
this. (Isaiah 9:7, NKJV)
Significance Of The Wise Men
How many wise men were there? We simply don’t know; we just
know there was more than one but we know they brought three gifts. The passage
in Matthew 2:1-11 make it clear that these Magi traveled from the
east following a star that led them to Israel.
These wise men were searching for the Christ, the promised
Messiah. From the account of the wise men, they were from the "east." This is
likely the the land of Persia and Babylon—where Daniel was once the head of the Magi or perhaps even farther toward the orient. The fact that men came from such a vast distance to honor
the baby Jesus with specific gifts give a powerful testimony to the history related in
Genesis and the faith of these men.
How could men that far off have known about a promised
messiah? When people groups were scattered from the Tower of Babel, they went
to all parts of the earth. Their descendants continued migrating until people
were living on six continents!
The “east” was no exception. The Chinese, for instance, have records of the Genesis account and the message of Christ written in the symbols of their language. They even have records indicating that they were to sacrifice animals to the one true God who was the Creator and the one who rescued man during a huge flood.
Daniel knew as well during the captivity. You would be surprised who, if their wisdom was passed down, could know certain details.
This confirms that they knew much of the biblical account at
some point after the Tower of Babel and the captivity. While many lost this precious information
in the East, we know that some still retained it—the wise men. These men from were no doubt wise. Unlike many of their contemporaries who had lost
the history in the Bible, they knew that Jesus was coming. This confirmation of
biblical history and trust in the Scriptures is a testimony of the accuracy of
the biblical account and the Tower of Babel.
Many in today’s culture have also lost the true history in
the Bible. They have accepted the imaginary history of “millions of years” and, just like
the contemporaries of the wise men, have failed to recognize Jesus as the
Messiah.
Significance Of Baby Jesus
Jesus’ entrance into the world was fascinating! Fulfilling
prophecy, having gifts brought from afar, having local shepherd men honor him,
having a king attempt to assassinate him (Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew
2:16-18) and fleeing to Egypt in the middle of the night (Matthew 2:13-15) were
a few miracles and events that hint at the importance of this child.
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is
given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be
called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah
9:6, NKJV)
God, the Son, left His sanctuary to be made lesser in the
form of a man by taking on flesh. He left behind heavenly perfection to live as one of us. This
child restored the broken relationship, due to Adam’s sin in Genesis 3,
between man and God.
“For there is born to you this day
in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11, NKJV)
Jesus came to earth at a very significant point in earth
history too. Let’s consider the past and get the big picture of this
significance. Please see the graph.
In Genesis when Adam and Eve were the only people on earth,
100% of the people believed and trusted in God. As time progressed people
stopped believing and trusting in God.
In Genesis at the time of Noah, his family was the only ones
on earth that still believed and trusted in God. So the percentage was rather
low considering the population had continued to grow.
After God sent the Flood, Noah’s family were the only ones
on earth, so the percentage was again nearly 100% of people believing and
trusting in God.
As time progressed, God kept calling the Israelites back to
Him. Ultimately, though, as the population of the earth re-grew, the overall
percentage began to drop. Just before Jesus’ birth the bulk of the world’s
people were not believing or trusting in God.
Even the Pharisees, Jewish leaders in the time of Jesus,
were not trusting in God but following traditions and not what God was actually
saying in the Bible—otherwise they would have been expecting the Messiah.
The wise men knew, and John the Baptist, who prepared many
in Israel for Jesus, knew. This is still a very low percentage of people
believing and trusting in God when Jesus was born. Jesus came when few believed
and trusted in God.
When Jesus came to earth it was a low point in earth
history, so His timing was very significant, but the mission was completed
perfectly and we now have the opportunity to return to God as a free gift in
Jesus Christ.
That if you confess with your mouth
the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved. (Romans 10:9, NKJV)
Should We Celebrate Christmas?
According to Archbishop
Ussher, Christ was born around 4 BC. What day was Jesus born? We don’t know
nor does Scripture reveal this date. So, the date selected as Christmas
(December 25th by the Gregorian calendar) may not have been the
date Jesus was born. Although Christians have records of celebrated December by AD 220s. The issue though isn’t about the actual date but about taking time to
remember Christ’s entrance into the world.
There are criticisms from skeptics and criticisms from
Christians.
Some people have even suggested to me that Christmas was
evil and we shouldn’t partake in it. The Bible says:
The earth is the LORD’S, and
all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. (Psalm 24:1, NKJV)
If we give thanks and honor God in what we do (Ephesians
5:15-21), then how can it be evil?
Some falsely suggest that the day Christmas is celebrated
was born out of Roman pagan holiday. Once corrected, I remind them that we should honor
and celebrate God on every day of the year anyway. Why should we, as Christians,
refuse to celebrate God on this day? We can serve God on any day and at any
time. In fact, the Bible encourages this:
I will praise You, O Lord my God,
with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. (Psalm 86:12,
NKJV)
“Forever,” includes the day we celebrate Christmas.
Some have reminded me of the decorated carved items from trees in Jeremiah
10:1-6. Then I remind them that it wasn’t the tree that was sin but the hearts
of those who used them to honor false gods. If they had done it to honor God
then the outcome would have been different.
If someone honors God with a decorated tree (as opposed to
false gods) then how can it be sinful?
Some have reminded me that Christ never told people to honor His birth with a holiday. I remind them that Christ never forbade it either. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not here to force anyone to celebrate Christmas.
But there is no reason to forbid anyone from honoring God on this day by
remembering Jesus’ birth. For those honoring God in a special way this holiday
season please remember that:
- Christmas
should be a time when we remember that Jesus came to earth to save us from
Adam’s sin.
- Christmas
should be a time when we recall that God became lower than the angels to
be born, live, suffer and die for us.
- Christmas
should be a time for us to remember that we as Christians have an
obligation to leave the comforts of our everyday life to help those less
fortunate just as Jesus did for all of us.
It is a time for us to answer the questions that
non-Christians are asking when they come to church this holiday season. Please
visit our Q&A
page to be prepared to answer the questions people need to hear.
It is a time for us to explain to people who don’t know God
the bad news in Genesis as well as the good news in the Gospels so that they
too can enjoy the free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. Please take some time
to read about good
news of Jesus Christ.
□
Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist
since 1998 helping out in various churches and running an apologetics website.
He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and
researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head
of the Oversight Council.
Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a
personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has
spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and
universities. He is married with four children.
Originally at Answers in Genesis; Edited and updated; Republished by permission.
