Christmas Eve 2025

Lord of Our Lives

Bible Passage: Luke

Scripture: “Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.”   Luke 1:38 Prayer

Hook - Devil’s strategy - If all humanity truly understands what Christ has done for them and then they live it every day...well...all heavens going to break loose. So let’s not let that happen!

Head

I tell the story because we are closing in on the end of advent which is what is called the waiting period.

During this time we celebrate the birth of Jesus while preparing for Him to come again.

He came to us to reconcile the relationship between creator and creation.

To be the way, the path, the light, the conduit for humanity to find its way back to God.

So back to our story...the Devil’s concern is that humanity will truly understand what Christ has done for them and begin to live it each day...what he is worried about is Jesus living within each one of us.

How does that happen.

It happens by choice:

When we choose to have Jesus as the Lord of our lives.

LORD - Someone or something having power, authority, or influence.

At different times in our lives there are varying people or things that have power, authority, and influence over us.

Our parents and caregivers when we are young, bosses...but also things...

Careers, illness, addictions

CHOICE - what if we make the choice that we intentionally want Jesus to be Lord of our lives.

To be the Lord of my life means that I want Jesus intimately involved as Lord of my mind, Lord of my heart, and ultimately Lord of my actions.

Heart

LORD OF MY MIND

Means overlaying Jesus’ teachings on top of my thoughts, decisions, what I look at, what I choose to follow. What I discern in my life.

The influence and guidance of where my mind is going is with my partner in Jesus...the Lord of my mind.

Let me be mindful of all we are to be grateful for...

Let my mind be aligned to a heart of worship

Let my thoughts be in a constant stream of prayer in conversation with you God.

I want Jesus to be the Lord of my mind.

LORD OF MY HEART

Our hearts guide us to who we love, what we love, and how we love.

When we choose to have Jesus’ influence and authority as the Lord of our hearts.

When we follow Jesus when He says the most important of the laws is to love our God with all our heart, mind, and soul.

We love with empathy

We love with compassion

We love with forgiveness

When we have Jesus as the Lord of our hearts we love one another period...no asterisk.

I want Jesus to be the Lord of my heart.

LORD OF MY ACTIONS

When our hearts and minds are aligned with the Lord, when we commit to having Jesus as the Lord of our minds and the Lord of our hearts...a natural impact is that Jesus becomes the Lord of our actions.

Our hands and feet are guided to action in service.

The paths we follow, the calling we hear and accept...

The perseverance that lifts us up to lift up others...

Is possible because Jesus is the Lord of our actions.

I want Jesus to be the Lord of my actions.

Hands

The Devil’s warning...If all humanity truly understands what Christ has done for them and then they live it every day...well...all heavens going to break loose.

If we choose to have Jesus as the Lord of our minds, our hearts, and our actions...heaven is going to break loose.

Tonight, as we celebrate the birth of the Lord, let him been born into every one of us in a new way...

Let Him be born into us as the Lord of our minds, our hearts, and our actions...and let us bring that out into the world.

Amen.