We Need Christmas With Matthew West

Scriptures: Luke 2:1-16, Philippians 4:19, 2 Peter 1:3

1. We Need Christmas

I read a troubling newspaper article titled, “How The Supply Chain Broke, And Why It Won’t Be Fixed Anytime Soon.” Another headline called our world’s crisis an “everything shortage.” From automobiles to groceries, there is no shortage of, well shortages, these days. Burger King even posted a sign on one of its stores saying, “Sorry, no french fries with any order. We have no potatoes.” A fast-food restaurant with no french fries? These truly are unprecedented times! Meanwhile, we are experiencing a massive surplus of one thing: bad news! The abundance of bad news can make us feel like the “everything shortage” extends beyond just material things. 

Hope is hard to see. 

Peace is in short supply. 

Love seems to be at an all-time low. 

Joy seems nowhere to be found. 

That’s why we need Christmas. Christmastime reminds us that while toilet paper and Clorox wipes may occasionally run low on grocery store shelves, God promised an endless supply of life’s real essentials, and He delivered on that promise in the form of a savior born in a manger. I love the words spoken by an angel who appeared to shepherds in Luke chapter 2, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all the people.” The “good news” was the birth of Jesus! The angel then says, “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” The angel’s instructions to the shepherds are the same directions we can follow this December. 

Desperate for hope? You will find Him lying in a manger. 

Searching for peace? You will find Him lying in a manger. 

Looking for love? You will find him lying in a manger. 

Experiencing a shortage of joy? You will find Him lying in a manger. 

This December, let’s set aside the surplus of bad news and let our hearts be reminded of the “good news” we have in a Savior. This world needs Christmas because this world needs Jesus. And we will find all that our hearts need “lying in a manger.”

Scriptures: Luke 2:10, 1 Peter 1:6-9, Isaiah 35:10

2. We Need Joy

Rob and his wife have brought their seven kids to see many of my concerts over the years. Several years ago, Rob was diagnosed with brain cancer and began the fight of his life. I would often receive updates on Rob’s health, and my family joined many praying for healing. A few weeks ago, Rob was transferred into hospice care. He asked his brother, “Do you think Matthew would sing at my funeral?” Trying to keep Rob’s spirits up, his brother responded, “Shut up! We’re not talking about that!” The week before Thanksgiving, I got the call that Rob had gone home to be with Jesus. I headed to a tiny town in Minnesota on a Wednesday night for a celebration of Rob’s life. 

I was given a list of my songs that Rob loved most, took the stage in front of a packed church, and sang one after another. Midway through, we stopped the music and gave Rob’s friends and family a chance to share a favorite memory of their time with him. The night was filled with tears, worship, and applause. Then Rob’s 13-year-old son Noah walked on stage, pulled a wrinkled piece of paper out of his pocket, and began to read. “My dad was always very funny, so I’m going to tell some jokes. He then delivered some of the funniest “dad jokes” I’ve ever heard! There in the middle of a tear-filled audience, the entire crowd broke out in unlikely laughter as a young boy paid tribute to his dad in his special way. 

Of all the emotions I expected to feel at the memorial service, joy was the least expected. But thanks to Noah, our heavy hearts were surprised by joy. I wonder if that’s why the angel who announced Jesus’ birth said the “good news” would bring “great joy.” Not “ordinary joy.” Not “good” joy. Not “above average” joy. Jesus brings “great joy!” In another passage of scripture, Peter talks about how we can experience “inexpressible and glorious joy” even in our suffering. 

I pray that you, too, may be surprised by joy this Christmas. You may be suffering, hurting, brokenhearted, or battle weary. But the “good news” of Jesus still offers you great and inexpressible joy. 

Scriptures: Isaiah 26:3, Luke 2:14, John 16:33, Hebrews 4:12

3. We Need Peace

Research has shown how essential a good night’s sleep is to an individual’s overall health. Unfortunately, I’m a light sleeper, and when I travel, quality sleep goes right out the tour bus window. While a tour bus may look glamorous from the outside, I spend most nights tossing and turning as we roll down the interstate. Who needs sheep when you can count every pothole the bus driver hits? I’ve tried sound machines that simulate an ocean tide or rain on a tin roof. I’ve tried sleep aids that make me feel drowsy the next day. But only one thing seems to put me right to sleep: reading my Bible! 

Before judging me for that last sentence, let me explain. There’s something about reading my Bible late at night that makes my eyes start to droop and my heart rate drop. It’s not because God’s word is boring! God’s word is alive and active. But there is a peace, a calm that comes over me when I read my Bible. It makes me think of one of my favorite carols, “Silent Night.” We close out each Christmas concert by singing it with the audience by candlelight. Sleep in Heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

What is “heavenly peace?” The Bible talks about a peace that passes understanding that will guard our minds. God offers us a peace that is so real and so calming that we can’t even understand. In other words, even in times of chaos, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty, times when it would be normal to feel anything but peace, peace can still rule our hearts. 

How are you sleeping these days? What keeps you up at night? What troubles your soul and worries your heart? At Christmas, we hear the word “peace” often, usually in the form of a prayer for peace on earth. And while I am sure we are praying for peace in our troubled world, I’m praying for you to experience peace in your troubled heart this Christmas. A peace that nothing in this world can offer. I pray that you will rest in, hope in, trust in, and sleep in heavenly peace. 

Scriptures: John 3:16, Matthew 18:10-14, Psalms 139:7-8, Luke 6:35-36

4. We Need Love

The story of the birth of Jesus provides a powerful reminder that the message of the gospel is the message of God’s relentless pursuit. He stopped at nothing to save us. He went to great lengths to be with us. His name is “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us.” He sent his only son, trading the splendor of perfect Heaven for the squalor of broken earth. I wrote a Christmas song called “Leaving Heaven” that says, “if you ever wonder how much your worth you should know, you’re the reason why I’m leaving Heaven.” I love the thought that He was willing to leave Heaven to prove that He will never leave us!

That’s what real love does. Love pursues. Love chases. Love reaches. Love stays. And just as God stays with us, we are called to be people who stay with others. Jesus’ command in John chapter 13 issues a clear command for us to carry out this Christmas, “…love one another as I have loved you…” Our world is filled with hurting people. Many are desperate for love and waiting for someone to show them love. I believe God has pre-ordained opportunities for each of us to be a reflection of Immanuel. 

Who around you needs Christmas? Is there someone grieving and needs you to be with them in their hour of need? Is there someone who can’t afford Christmas presents for their children and you might be able to help? Is there an estranged member of your family that could use a phone call? Is there someone all alone this Christmas that you could check in on or bring a meal to? This world needs love. May we love one another just as He has loved us this Christmas.

Scriptures: Romans 8:39, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalms 42:11, Hebrews 10:23, John 8:12

5. We Need Hope

These last two years have felt like our entire world is crawling towards December. Hard times make our steps feel heavier and heavier. We reach the final month of the year exhausted by all we’ve endured. Political divides, terror attacks, supply chain shortages, racial tension, economic crisis, sickness, stress, and anxiety have dominated and darkened our days. And dark days can fool us into thinking that all hope is lost. 

But God… I love those two words! We have a God who steps into our darkness with light (John 8:12), into our brokenness with healing (Psalm 147:3), into our sinfulness with mercy (Ephesians 2:4), and into our hopelessness with hope (2 Corinthians 1:9). The message of Christmas is not just a message of hope promised. It’s the message of hope delivered. The Old Testament prophesies about a coming king were fulfilled word for word in the form of a savior born in a manger. God is who he says He is, and He does what He says He will do. 

And here is the ultimate hope we have this Christmas: The hope of heaven! Jesus was born in a stable so that 33 years later, He could lay down his life on a cross to save us from our sins and bring us everlasting life. The words from a favorite Christmas carol sum it up beautifully, “Mild He lays His glory by. Born that man no more may die.” 

With eternity promised, we are reminded that our troubles on earth are temporary. In this world, we will have trouble, but Jesus said, “take heart, for I have overcome the world.” This Christmas, I pray that you will do just that, “take heart,” take joy, take peace, take love, and take hope that is being offered to you by a God who sent his only son to be born in a manger and to die on a cross. He’s prepared a place for you. Keep your eyes up and hold on to the hope of the heaven that awaits.