In this Christmas sermon from the "Rethinking Christmas" series, Pastor Jeremy focuses on how we can "offer more" to others because of what Jesus has done for us. Using John 1:1-18 as his primary text, Pastor Jeremy explains that this passage serves as an "abstract" or synopsis of the entire Gospel of John, introducing Jesus as the Word, the Light, and the source of all things.

Pastor Jeremy emphasizes four key ways we can offer more: more light through our actions and attitudes; more truth by verbalizing our faith (not just being different but explaining why); more grace by showing patience and forgiveness; and more love through self-sacrifice. He explains the difference between justice (getting what we deserve), mercy (not getting what we deserve), and grace (getting something good we don't deserve), noting that God gives us "grace upon grace." The sermon concludes with the reminder that Jesus came because "God so loved the world" (John 3:16), and because He first loved us, we can love others. Pastor Jeremy challenges anyone who hasn't decided to follow Jesus to do so before leaving.

Pastor Luke invites us to reconsider what makes a "successful Christmas" by examining how our perspective shifts from childhood (toys) to teen years (monetary value) to adulthood (children's happiness). He warns against making Christmas "thing-centric" or "me-centric" instead of worship-centric, and identifies two main reasons we spend impulsively: wrong motives stemming from our "SAD hearts" (Selfishness, Arrogance, Damaging) and social pressure.

Instead, Pastor Luke encourages spending intentionally - expending resources with purpose and focus to advance God's kingdom and bless others. These resources include time, talents, truth, and treasures. He outlines three focuses: pleasing God first (Ecclesiastes 2:26), truly blessing others through gifts that honor and refresh (Proverbs 11:25), and choosing contentment rather than consumption (Philippians 4:11-12). Pastor Luke concludes with practical next steps: taking inventory and making a plan, asking God for help with our motives, and creating a reminder to rethink Christmas next year.

Pastor Matt begins a new series called "Rethink Christmas" by inviting us to step back from the cultural holiday current—the shopping, decorating, expectations, and stress—to ask what God truly wants for us this season. Christmas, he explains, is fundamentally "the celebration of the birth of the Savior King" whom we can know personally. Tracing God's promise through Scripture from Genesis 3:15 through the prophets, Pastor Matt shows how Jesus fulfilled centuries of anticipation as the promised Messiah.

Looking at the nativity scene, Pastor Matt highlights three aspects of worshiping fully: being fully available like Mary who surrendered herself as "the servant of the Lord" (Luke 1:38); being fully present like the shepherds who immediately responded to God's message and witnessed the Messiah firsthand; and being fully invested like the Magi who traveled for months bearing valuable gifts to worship Jesus. He concludes with practical applications, encouraging us to surrender daily to Christ, read Scripture during Advent, and invest in God's kingdom through service and giving.