We know what Christmas looks like on earth. Trees and lights and songs and wreaths but what about from heaven’s perspective? Revelation 12 gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Christmas. While Mary gave birth in a humble stable, heaven was celebrating the arrival of the Child who would defeat evil forever. It’s like a cosmic victory party, with angels cheering and joy flowing like waves through all of eternity.
That joy isn’t just reserved for angels and heavenly choirs. It’s ours too. Jesus’ birth wasn’t just an event in history; it was the start of a revolution of hope, love, and salvation. Heaven’s joy invites us to join the celebration here on Earth.
Reflection: How can you make room for heaven’s joy in your heart this Christmas?
Application: Celebrate big! Bake cookies, light candles, and share the story of Jesus with someone. Heaven’s joy is too good to keep to yourself.
The angel’s announcement to the shepherds wasn’t just good news—it was great joy for all people! Imagine being one of those shepherds, sitting in the dark fields when the sky explodes with light and music. That kind of joy isn’t quiet; it’s the kind that makes you jump up, shout, and run to Bethlehem.
Christmas is a reminder that the good news of Jesus is for everyone: the busy parent, the lonely neighbor, the overworked employee, and the wide-eyed child. It’s the kind of joy that transforms ordinary nights into holy moments.
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news this season?
Application: Share the good news of Jesus with someone, whether it’s through words, actions, or a simple invitation to church.
My mind works in some pretty weird ways – I’ll admit that one. Like this for example. Picture getting to heaven and standing at those proverbial pearly gates. But instead of the smiling face of Jesus or the skeptical face of Thomas, you are greeted by the stern face of a 350lb man with an angry face. He’s dressed in all black with the words Bouncer across the chest.
Now that would be a sight wouldn’t it! A bouncer at the gates of heaven! I really don’t think anyone wants a heaven guarded by a bouncer. So why do so many churches act like cultural bouncers rather than heavenly ushers?
When Jesus told us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), He didn’t add a bunch of fine print. He didn’t say, “Love your neighbor, but only if they think like you, vote like you, or live like you.” And when He commanded us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), He didn’t mean we should grudgingly mutter a prayer for people we dislike just so we can check a spiritual box. No, Jesus’ words cut deeper. They challenge us to the core.
So, here’s the truth: Heaven needs more ushers—people willing to open doors, extend invitations, welcome strangers, and walk people into the grace of God—and way fewer bouncers, those who slam doors shut based on who they think belongs inside.
Bouncers Block the Kingdom
A bouncer’s job at a club or event is pretty clear: keep the “wrong people” out. If you don’t look right, act right, or meet the standards, the bouncer has no problem saying, “Move along.” Unfortunately, far too often, Christians fall into this bouncer mindset. We size people up. We create criteria for who’s worthy of love, grace, and even a seat at church. We make it harder to experience the grace of Jesus than we do get into a presidential banquet. You have to dress a certain way, memorize specific content from the Bible or other confessional book, do church the same way everyone else it, etc.
But let’s remember Jesus’ words to the religious leaders of His day—leaders who turned faith into an exclusive club. He told them in Matthew 23:13: “Woe to you… You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces.” Ouch. That’s what happens when we act like bouncers.
When we treat the church like a VIP lounge for the already-cleaned-up, we block the very people Jesus came to save. The broken, the messy, the outcasts—these are the people He welcomed. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick,” Jesus said (Luke 5:31).
Ask yourself this: Are you standing at the door of your life, sizing people up? Are you deciding who deserves your kindness, your forgiveness, or even a prayer? If so, it’s time to put down the clipboard and hand out an invitation instead. Are you trying to purify people of their moral choices before letting them get to know the Jesus who died for them? Are you making them believe before they’re allowed to belong?
Ushers Open Doors
An usher’s job is the exact opposite. They welcome people in. They smile, extend a hand, and show others where to sit. Ushers remove obstacles so people can get where they need to go. In the church, they don’t just open physical doors—they open spiritual ones. They say, “Come as you are. You belong here. There’s a place for you at the table.”
And isn’t that just what Jesus did?
When He met the woman at the well in John 4, she came with baggage—relational failures, shame, isolation. Jesus didn’t play the bouncer. He didn’t say, “You’re not good enough to talk to me.” No, He treated her with dignity, spoke truth with love, and offered her living water. He opened the door to a new life.
When Zacchaeus climbed that sycamore tree (Luke 19), the crowds had already labeled him an outcast. Yet Jesus didn’t push the little guy aside. Instead, He said, “I must stay at your house today.” Jesus opened a door, and Zacchaeus’ life was changed forever.
This is what ushers do—they extend grace, they make space, and they trust God to do the necessary work in people’s lives.
Loving Our Neighbor AND Our Enemy
Here’s where it gets hard, though. Loving your neighbor as yourself is challenging enough, but Jesus didn’t stop there. He also said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). And let’s be honest: that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Enemies? The coworker who undermines you. The family member who betrayed you. The person whose views offend you. The follower of Jesus who worships different than you or sings different songs than you. In our bouncer persona, we want to shut the door on them. We want to keep them out of our hearts, out of our lives, and maybe even out of our church. But Jesus totally flips the script.
Loving your enemy doesn’t mean agreeing with them. It doesn’t mean letting them walk all over you. But it does mean praying for them, showing kindness, and leaving room for God’s grace to do its work. Romans 12:20 says, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” Why? Because love softens hearts. Love opens doors.
The Church, Simply Put, Needs More Ushers
The world already has enough bouncers—people quick to judge, exclude, and reject. What it needs are ushers, people who take seriously the call to love others the way Jesus loves us.
Think about it: Did Jesus act like a bouncer when He saved you? Did He stand at the door and say, “Come back when you’re perfect?” No. He opened His arms wide. He welcomed you in. He let you belong before you fully believed.
And now, He’s asking you to do the same for others.
So, let’s put down our pride. Let’s drop the “bouncer mentality” that says, “You’re not good enough.” Instead, let’s become ushers in God’s Kingdom—people who live with open hearts, open hands, and open doors.
Who can you love this week? Who can you forgive? Who needs a seat at the table?
Because love doesn’t shut people out. Love invites them in.
Imagine a group of travelers going hundreds of miles with a treasure chest in tow, guided by nothing more than a star. When they finally found Jesus, their first reaction wasn’t relief or exhaustion—it was joy! They “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”
The Wisemen remind us that joy comes from seeking (and finding) Jesus. They didn’t let the long journey or the uncertainty stop them. And when they found Him, they gave their best gifts—not because they had to, but because their hearts were overflowing. Overflowing with joy!
This season, let’s follow their lead. Joy isn’t about perfect plans or shiny packages. It’s about finding Jesus, wherever we are.
Reflection: What would it look like for you to “seek” Jesus this Advent?
Application: Let the joy of Christ fill your heart. Share it with others through laughter, generosity, and maybe a little Christmas smile!
Have you ever tried to measure the love in that perfect Christmas gift? A handmade scarf shows thoughtfulness. A heartfelt card brings tears. But God’s love? That one is immeasurable.
Paul prays that we’d grasp the width, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love—a love so vast it can’t fit under the tree. It’s a love that crosses the galaxies to meet you in your living room, a love that fills every empty corner of your heart.
This Advent, let Christ’s love fill you to overflowing. It’s not just a gift to receive but one to share generously with others.
Reflection: Where do you see God’s love at work in your life this Advent season?
Application: Love big! Go out of your way to show someone they’re deeply loved by God—and by you.
The shepherds were the night-shift workers of ancient Israel—ordinary folks doing an ordinary job. But on that first Christmas night, angels filled the sky with a message just for them: “A Savior has been born to you!” Imagine their awe as heaven’s choir sang a private concert just for them.
Those common, ordinary, anything but significant shepherds were the first to hear of the amazing news of the birth of Jesus. How great is it that God didn’t choose the elite or the high powered but instead the humble and lowly! Sure gives me a chance!
And the shepherds didn’t stay in their fields either. They dropped everything, ran to Bethlehem, and found Jesus lying in a manger. It was exactly as the angels told them. Their love for the newborn King couldn’t be contained—they shared the good news with everyone they met.
This season, let’s follow their example. Let’s look beyond the outward trappings and see the heart of those around us. And when love bursts into your life, you can’t help but share it!
Reflection: Who needs to hear the good news of Jesus from you this Advent?
Application: Love isn’t meant to be bottled up. Let your joy overflow in conversations, hugs, and maybe even a Christmas card.
If Christmas had a tagline, it might be John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.” Talk about the ultimate gift exchange! God didn’t give us something small or temporary—He gave His best, Jesus, to bring us back to Him.
And here’s the kicker: Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world but to save it. That’s a part of the story we often leave out. We love that he came to save us, but often act as if he came to have us condemn the world around us. Not cool friends!
Imagine a Christmas where everyone gets a second chance—a fresh start wrapped in the love of God. That’s what Jesus offered you and what he calls us to offer one another.
This season, as you wrap gifts and share cookies, remember the greatest gift of all: God’s extravagant love, packaged in a manger and delivered to your heart.
Reflection: How can you reflect God’s love to others this Christmas?
Application: Spread the love! A smile, a kind word, or an act of generosity could be just the gift someone needs.
The psalmist describes waiting for the Lord “more than watchmen wait for the morning.” This waiting is like when I was a kid staring at the clock, waiting for Christmas morning. I couldn’t take the waiting. The anticipation was electric!
Advent is about leaning into that expectancy, knowing God is on His way. Just like the sunrise is certain, so is God’s faithfulness. This season, wait actively—pray, hope, and trust that He will meet you right where you are, right when you need Him to be there.
Reflection: What are you most eager to see God do in your life?
Application: Don’t just wait—watch! God’s best surprises often arrive when we least expect them.
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the waiting. The cookies need baking, the decorations need hanging, and those shipping delays—ugh! Similarly, God’s timing often feels slow, but Peter reminds us: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise.”
I’m not the most patient person in the world. Actually I’m not very patient at all. But Advent is a great reminder that even though we have to wait, God’s “slow” is never late. Advent is about trusting God’s timing. Just as Jesus came at the perfect moment in history, God’s promises to you are always on schedule.
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to trust God’s timing?
Application: This Advent, rest in the truth that God is never in a rush or ever late, but He’s always right on time.
Just look around. Our pews are emptying, not filling. Our younger generations are leaving, not staying. In a world desperate for truth, love, and purpose, we’re offering shallow programs, culture wars, and clichés. We preach grace but practice judgment. We sing about God’s power while hoarding human control. The gap between the Jesus of the Bible and the Christianity we practice has grown so wide it threatens to swallow us whole.
We need a new Reformation.
The original Reformation in the early 1500s, led by Martin Luther and several others, exposed how far the church had strayed from the gospel. At its core the Reformation was a cry to return to Scripture and reclaim God’s authority. They dealt with issues of indulgences (selling of forgiveness) and excessive emphasis on paying for salvation with good deeds and with money.
Today, the issue isn’t selling indulgences; it’s peddling irrelevance. We’ve exchanged the radical call of Jesus to love God and neighbor for cheap entertainment, partisan politics, and a consumer mindset.
We’ve turned church into a product—marketed, polished, and packaged to please the masses. And when people inevitably see through the facade, they leave. Some leave the faith altogether. Others leave for churches that embrace authenticity, however messy it may be.
The Weight of Our Failure
This is where the pain sets in. We’re not just losing attendees; we’re losing credibility. The broader culture sees the church as judgmental, hypocritical, and frankly out of touch. How can we blame them? We preach about the sanctity of life while ignoring the cries of the marginalized. We talk about Jesus’ love but fail to embody that love in our own homes, neighborhoods, and communities.
It’s easy to point fingers at the culture for abandoning Christian values. But maybe the culture didn’t abandon us. Maybe we abandoned the Jesus they need to see.
This is bigger than declining numbers or shrinking influence. It’s about souls. People are walking away from the hope of Jesus because they don’t see it in us.
The good news? Reformation isn’t about destruction; it’s about renewal. The first Reformation didn’t burn the church to the ground. It called it back to its foundation. Today’s Reformation must do the exact same thing.
We don’t need better branding. We need deeper discipleship. We don’t need bigger buildings. We need communities that feel like family. And we certainly don’t need more culture wars. We need to take up the only war Jesus called us to fight: against sin, darkness, and injustice.
This new Reformation must start with humility. The American church doesn’t need a PR strategy; it needs repentance. Let’s confess where we’ve put comfort over calling, self-righteousness over servanthood, and fear over faith.
The church also needs courage. The truth is, a reformed church won’t make everyone happy. But our goal isn’t to please people; it’s to glorify God. Let’s have the guts to challenge the idols we’ve built in His name—idols of politics, tradition, and power.
A reformed church could be a breathtaking force for good. Imagine churches known for their generosity, not their greed. Imagine Christians famous for their kindness, not their outrage. Imagine communities transformed because the love of Jesus shines so brightly that people can’t help but be drawn to it.
We’ve seen glimpses of this throughout history. The early church grew because it loved so radically that outsiders said, “See how they love one another!” The Wesleyan revival in England led to societal reforms that changed the nation. The Jesus Movement of the 70s brought countless young people to faith.
God isn’t done with His church. But He’s waiting for us to stop clinging to the past and start embracing His future.
The new Reformation won’t come from church growth seminars or celebrity pastors. It will come from ordinary Christians rediscovering what it means to follow Jesus. It will come from pastors bold enough to preach the gospel and lead with integrity. It will come when we stop playing church and start being the church.
Let’s not wait for someone else to start it. Revival begins in hearts, homes, and local congregations like yours and mine. Let’s pray for it. Let’s work for it. Let’s believe for it.
The world doesn’t need more American Christianity. It needs more Jesus. Are we ready to give it to them?
