A Christmas Eve Reflection | #ADVENT2025

“Christmas isn’t safe. It’s good.”
— S. D. Smith

Tonight, we stand at the edge of a manger. We sing of peace on earth and silent nights, but if we’re listening carefully, we can hear another sound behind the carols: a battle cry. The cry of a newborn King, invading a world at war with its Maker.

In his article, Christmas Isn’t Safe. It’s Good., S. D. Smith writes:

“The incarnation is the invasion of good into evil, of life into death, of light into darkness. It is violent and beautiful. It is the King, not in a palace, but in a stable. It is God come to dwell with man. Emmanuel.”

This is the kind of wonder we need on Christmas Eve. Not sentimentality—but sight.
Not safety—but salvation.

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The Danger of Christmas

When the angels appeared to the shepherds, they weren’t singing lullabies. They were announcing glory in terrifying brilliance. The shepherds were “filled with great fear” (Luke 2:9). Why? Because heaven had broken in.

“The claim of Christmas is cosmic. It is radical. It is not safe. It is not cozy. It is glorious and disruptive. And it is good.”
— S. D. Smith

The birth of Jesus is the arrival of a new government (Isaiah 9:6–7). It threatens every other allegiance—including the ones we harbor in our own hearts. Christ comes not to preserve our comfort, but to tear down every idol and claim us completely.

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Born to Die

We love to keep the cradle in view, but we must not forget the cross. The shadow of Calvary hung over Bethlehem even on that night of holy birth.

Jesus was born to die. The miracle of His birth is only fully understood when we realize the cost of our sin—and the glory of His rescue.

“He came, not to cuddle us, but to conquer death.”
— S. D. Smith

Tonight, if the story of Jesus seems familiar, let the Holy Spirit reawaken your awe. Let the violent beauty of the Incarnation confront you again with the truth: you needed saving, and God came down to save you.

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Emmanuel—God With Us

He came not in fire and storm, but in skin and weakness. He came to be with us—in our mess, in our fear, in our pain.
And that’s the good news we hold on Christmas Eve: He’s still with us.

He still comes into dark places.
He still turns hearts of stone to flesh.
He still calls sinners to repentance and life.

“Christmas isn’t safe, but it is good. Because the King is good.”
— S. D. Smith

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A Final Word for the Weary

If you feel numb, distant, or distracted this Christmas, don’t run from the manger—fall before it.
Repent. Be still. Be broken if needed. But behold the King.
He has come.
He is coming again.
And He is good.

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This post is part of the #ADVENT2025 collaboration featuring reflections from fellow Christian writers. We invite you to explore the full series and walk with us through the season of Advent as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.

Some Participating Bloggers include:
Bridget A. Thomas – Every Day Is A Gift
Loring Schultz  – Word For The Soul
Alan Kearns – Devotional Treasure
Nathan R Dooley – Time For Providence
David Duncan – David’s Daily Dose
Cindi West – God Still Speaks
Barb Hegreberg – My Life in our Father’s World
Rainer Bantau – The Devotional Guy™