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"Hope is Here"
Carl Nichols

Big Idea: Christmas is not just the celebration of a birth, it is the arrival of hope into a hopeless world.

The danger of Christmas is that we can celebrate a story without experiencing its power.

1. HOPE WAS PROMISED BEFORE IT WAS SEEN.

Christmas didn’t begin in Luke 2, it began in Genesis.

  • Genesis 3:15 — A promised offspring would crush the serpent’s head

  • 2 Samuel 7:12–13 — A King from David’s line with an eternal throne

  • Isaiah 7:14 — A virgin would conceive; God would be with us

  • Isaiah 9:6–7 — A child born, a King reigning forever

  • Micah 5:2 — Hope would come from Bethlehem

  • Jeremiah 23:5–6 — A righteous Branch who would save humanity


Isaiah 9:26
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 1:29-31
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. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

2. HOPE WAS BORN INTO THE MESS.

Luke 2:6–7
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Jesus wasn’t born into calm, clarity, or comfort; he was born into chaos.

  • Political oppression

  • A corrupt king

  • Spiritual silence

  • Religious burnout

  • Economic strain

  • Social shame

  • Exhaustion & displacement

3. HOPE IS HERE.

Luke 2:10–11
[Angel to the shepherds] “I bring you good news of great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you…”

Luke 2:16
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby…

Luke 2:17
When they had seen him, they spread the word…

Luke 2:19
Mary treasured these things and pondered them in her heart.

Hope doesn’t remove every question; it gives confidence in the midst of them.

The cradle points to the cross. The cross leads to the empty tomb.

Sin defeated.
Death conquered.
Hope secured.