Series Details
It’s sad but true—the retelling of the story of the first Christmas is often dull and dusty in its familiarity. Yet the truth in this historical account has the power to ignite your faith and imagination.
Hear the real-life drama behind the well-known narrative unfold in this special four-part series from Chuck Swindoll. You won’t just hear about the first Christmas; you’ll be inspired to jump into the story yourself and stand beside Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and a temple rabbi.
Let your imagination be stirred as you experience the old, old story in all its excitement and wonder. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
The story of the first Christmas is often tucked away in a corner of our minds, covered in the dust of over-familiarity. However, the historical truth of Christ’s arrival has the power to ignite our faith when we engage our imaginations. In this special four-part series, Chuck Swindoll invites us to step out of the audience and into the real-life drama of the Nativity. By standing beside those who witnessed these events firsthand, we can experience the old, old story with a fresh sense of excitement, wonder, and profound spiritual impact.
What If You Had Been Mary?
Sermon Summary Listening to the Word without imagination can be a dry and pointless exercise. Imagination brings life and color to truth. This message invites us to place ourselves in the position of a young girl in Nazareth named Mary. Chuck explores the shock, the fear, and the ultimate surrender Mary experienced when the angel Gabriel announced she would bear the Son of God. We learn that following God’s call often involves a mix of great mystery and personal sacrifice, requiring a heart that is fully yielded to His sovereign plan.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Power of Imagination: Using our minds to bring “life and color” to the biblical narrative.
- Yielded Obedience: Recognizing the incredible faith required for Mary to say “Yes” to God.
- Divine Mystery: Understanding that God’s plans often surpass our human logic.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Luke 1:26–38
Consider How Joseph Must Have Felt
Sermon Summary Joseph is often the “forgotten man” of the Christmas story, yet his role was critical. This message explores the internal conflict Joseph faced when he discovered Mary was pregnant. By imagining Joseph’s thoughts—his initial heartbreak, his sense of betrayal, and his quiet integrity—we gain a deeper appreciation for the man God chose to be the earthly father of Jesus. We learn the importance of listening for God’s guidance in our dreams and our crises, choosing to obey even when it costs us our reputation.
Key Facts & Themes
- Integrity Under Pressure: How Joseph’s character was revealed in his response to Mary’s situation.
- Quiet Obedience: The significance of Joseph’s willingness to follow God’s lead without a word recorded in Scripture.
- The Faith of a Father: Recognizing the sacrifices made to protect the Savior.
Imagine Being One of the Shepherds
Sermon Summary On a quiet night outside Bethlehem, the heavens literally opened for a group of outcasts. This message invites us to sit by the fire with the shepherds and experience the overwhelming glory of the angelic announcement. Chuck discusses the significance of God choosing the “lowly” to receive the highest message. We see the shepherds’ immediate response of faith—hurrying to find the Baby—and their subsequent joy as they told everyone what they had seen and heard.
Key Facts & Themes
- Grace for the Lowly: Why God chose simple shepherds as the first recipients of the Good News.
- The Glory of God: Picturing the contrast between the darkness of the fields and the light of the heavenly host.
- Urgent Faith: The shepherds’ example of acting immediately on the message they received.
Think of Yourself as a Temple Rabbi
Sermon Summary The series concludes by imagining the perspective of a religious insider—a temple rabbi. While the “outsiders” like shepherds were celebrating, the religious leaders were often blinded by their own traditions and expectations. This message serves as a warning against the spiritual blindness that can come from religious familiarity. We are challenged to look past our systems and rituals to see the Person of Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as the fulfillment of all the Law and the Prophets.
Key Facts & Themes
- Spiritual Blindness: The danger of missing the Messiah while holding the Scriptures.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy: How Jesus’ arrival completed the story the rabbis had taught for centuries.
- Personal Recognition: The necessity of moving beyond religious academic knowledge to a personal recognition of the Savior.
