The central message of this sermon focuses on identifying and examining the “trademarks of Christ”—distinct spiritual characteristics that marked the life of Jesus Christ and should likewise be evident in the lives of believers. Using Luke chapter 2 and the Christmas narrative, the preacher emphasizes that the birth of Christ is not merely a sentimental holiday story, but a foundational moment that reveals how God works through humility, hardship, truth, worship, and obedience. These trademarks define authentic Christian living and expose the difference between merely knowing Christian truths and truly living them.

Christ’s Birth Reveals God’s Pattern of Difficulty and Purpose

The sermon begins by grounding the message in Luke 2, describing the circumstances surrounding Christ’s birth. Mary and Joseph face mounting difficulties: government taxation, forced travel, lack of shelter, and ultimately placing their newborn child in a manger. While this scene has become familiar and even comforting to modern readers, the preacher stresses that for Mary and Joseph, this was not a peaceful or ideal situation—it was stressful, inconvenient, and humbling.

This hardship is not portrayed as a sign of being outside God’s will, but rather as evidence of being within it. The sermon repeatedly confronts the common assumption that if God is leading, circumstances should be easy. Scripture consistently contradicts this belief. God often confirms His will not through comfort, but through endurance. Difficulty, confusion, and hardship are not interruptions to God’s plan—they are often the pathway through which His purpose is fulfilled.

Hardship as a Biblical Trademark of God’s Work

The preacher reinforces this truth by drawing biblical parallels. Joseph endured betrayal, slavery, false accusations, imprisonment, and years of delay before seeing God’s promise fulfilled. Moses faced rejection, opposition, wilderness isolation, and fear before leading Israel. Even Jesus Himself, after His baptism, was immediately led into the wilderness for temptation and suffering. These examples reveal a consistent biblical pattern: God often allows prolonged difficulty to prepare His servants for greater purpose.

The danger, the sermon warns, is abandoning God’s path simply because it becomes uncomfortable. When believers flee hardship prematurely, they risk missing the spiritual refinement God is producing. Difficulty strips away pride, self-reliance, and worldly thinking, making room for God’s truth to take root. Without brokenness, transformation cannot occur.

Trademark #1: Humility

The first and foundational trademark of Christ is humility. Jesus entered the world with no status, privilege, or advantage. Though fully God, He willingly laid aside His heavenly glory to be born into poverty and obscurity. This humility was not accidental—it was intentional and essential to His mission.

The preacher emphasizes that humility is not self-deprecation but submission to God’s will. Philippians 2 illustrates that Christ “made Himself of no reputation” and became obedient unto death. True humility is seen when personal desire yields to God’s direction, even when that direction involves sacrifice. Pride, on the other hand, resists God and blocks grace. God actively opposes the proud but pours grace upon the humble.

Believers are challenged to examine whether their service to God is marked by genuine humility or motivated by recognition, comfort, or personal validation.

Trademark #2: Revelation and Commitment to Truth

The second trademark is truth revealed to the humble. In Luke 2, God does not announce Christ’s birth to kings, scholars, or religious elites, but to shepherds—ordinary men with no influence or status. This choice highlights that God reveals truth not to those who rely on knowledge or position, but to those who are willing to receive it.

The sermon underscores that truth is meant to be both known and shared. The shepherds did not keep the message to themselves; they proclaimed what they had seen and heard. A believer who has truly encountered Christ cannot remain silent. When truth genuinely settles in the heart, it naturally overflows into testimony.

The preacher cautions against a counterfeit faith—one that looks authentic on the surface but lacks spiritual substance. Just as counterfeit items resemble the real thing but fail under testing, so too can false faith collapse when examined by obedience, humility, and witness.

Trademark #3: Giving Glory to God

The third trademark is giving God glory. The angels’ response to Christ’s birth was worship: “Glory to God in the highest.” Worship, the sermon explains, is not dependent on preference, emotion, or musical style. True worship flows from a heart that recognizes God as the source of salvation, victory, and grace.

The preacher challenges the congregation to reflect on their attitude toward worship. When praise becomes conditional—based on comfort, taste, or mood—it reveals a focus on self rather than God. A genuine Christian desires to glorify God regardless of circumstance because praise is rooted in truth, not convenience.

Trademark #4: Obedient Response

The final trademark is obedient response. Upon hearing the message, the shepherds immediately acted—they went “with haste” to see Christ and then spread the news everywhere. Their obedience was prompt, joyful, and motivated by love, not obligation.

The sermon contrasts delayed obedience with heartfelt obedience. Obedience driven by love honors God, while obedience driven by reluctance leads to frustration and spiritual burden. True obedience flows from gratitude and trust, reflecting a heart aligned with God’s will.

A Call to Personal Examination

The sermon concludes with a sobering challenge. Believers are urged to examine their lives in light of these trademarks:

• Humility
• Commitment to truth
• Giving God glory
• Obedient response

These are not abstract ideals but visible indicators of genuine faith. The preacher emphasizes that Christianity is not merely about knowledge, attendance, or appearance, but about transformation. The birth of Christ calls believers not only to celebrate, but to reflect His character in everyday life.

The message ends with an invitation to consider one’s relationship with Christ and a reminder that the greatest gift of Christmas is not tradition or celebration, but salvation through Jesus Christ.