Red Rocks Church Weekend Messages
Episode: Christmas at Red Rocks Church 2025
Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Red Rocks Church
Overview
This special Christmas episode of Red Rocks Church's Weekend Messages centers on the theme of peace through Jesus, Emmanuel—God with us. Addressing a diverse community in Denver, Austin, Brussels, and correctional facilities, the speakers invite everyone to experience the real and transformative peace that Jesus brings—not generic world peace, but peace that begins between God and individuals. Through heartfelt stories, humor, and scripture, they explore the true promise of Christmas: peace offered by God to those who receive His favor, regardless of life circumstances.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Welcoming Community and Christmas Joy
- Opening Remarks:
- Emphasis on inclusivity: everyone, no matter their life situation or belief, is welcomed and valued.
- “We say all the time we're just a bunch of messed up, imperfect people, and it's true, but we love to get together like this and pursue a perfect God.” (A, 00:30)
- Prayer for everyone attending, both in-person and remotely.
2. Jesus as Emmanuel: God With Us
- Key Message:
- B shares the Christmas message of Jesus coming as Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.”
- "For the first time, humanity, people like us, got to hear his voice, the voice of God, and... see the face of God. ...He knew and he knows how difficult this life can be. And so he came as Emmanuel, God with us, and said, forever, I walk with you to fulfill the plan and the purpose through you." (B, 01:09–02:17)
- Assurance: No matter what we’re carrying—hurt, stress, loss—God is present and will not leave us.
3. Managing Holiday Stress and Cultural Expectations
- Relatable Struggles:
- Polling the room for travel, hosting, or last-minute shopping stresses.
- Referencing statistics: 9 in 10 Americans report feeling stressed or overwhelmed during the holidays; 61% say holidays are more stressful than tax season. (A, 03:24)
- Lighthearted family anecdote: the humorous "Christmas card crisis," with a photo sent out by mistake—speaker's eyes closed in every card.
- “I'm gonna be in multiple countries with my eyes closed for all of 2026.”
- “You could text all our friends and family and tell them that your eyes are closed cause you're praying for them.” (A, 09:39–11:56)
- Recognizing it’s ironic to feel most anxious when celebrating the “Prince of Peace.”
4. The Real Meaning of Christmas Peace: Not World Peace, But Peace with God
- Scriptural Exploration:
- Isaiah 9:6 names Jesus as "Prince of Peace" (A, 13:20)
- Luke 2: Angels proclaim: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (A, 15:25)
- Critical Distinction: Not "peace on earth" (universal, automatic), but “on earth, peace to those on whom his favor rests”—a personal peace accessible by choice.
- “If we're not careful, what we think we just read is the angels showed up to the shepherds and said, hey guys, Jesus is here, so there's going to be peace on earth. And everybody everywhere automatically gets it. ...But the verse actually says, on earth, peace.” (A, 19:05–20:30)
- Not Political or International Peace:
- Jesus did not come to solve international or political disputes immediately (Luke 12:51, Luke 21:9–10); world peace comes later with his return.
- Peace offered is reconciliation with God, not cessation of worldly troubles. (A, 24:10–25:15)
5. Who Experiences God’s Peace? – The Importance of Receiving God’s Favor
- "On Whom His Favor Rests":
- Greek term “eudokia” – God’s gracious favor, salvation, extended to “objects of His saving love.”
- “On earth you can have peace if you are one of those who, because of your faith in Jesus, have chosen to allow his favor to rest on you.” (A, 29:18)
- Romans 5:1: Through faith in Jesus, we have peace with God.
- Notable Quote:
- “The angel's announcement wasn't, God came to bring peace on earth. The announcement was, to every single one of us. The opportunity is here. He came to bring you peace while you're here on earth in the middle of a troubled world.” (A, 31:27)
6. Receiving the Gift: A Living Illustration
- Gift Exchange Skit (32:40–36:45):
- Pastor calls Andrew on stage for a gift. Initially, it’s a joke gift (can of corn + socks, a family tradition prank), then reveals a real gift (a certificate for desired Nikes).
- Object lesson: The gift doesn’t belong to Andrew until he chooses to receive it, symbolizing accepting God’s favor.
- “Now that he has chosen to receive the gift, my gracious favor now rests with him. And now he gets the benefit from what I paid for.” (A, 36:30)
7. Personal Testimony: Transformation Through God’s Peace
- Host’s Story:
- Describes his own background as an outsider, carrying shame and isolation, and his life-changing moment accepting Jesus’ gift.
- "I heard somebody on a stage go, hey, if you want to receive the gift that God has for you... And in a service just like this, I went, I don't know what I'm doing. ...But Jesus, if you're real, I need you. And I raised my hand and I experienced the presence of God for the first time. And I'm telling you, it changed my life forever." (A, 38:15)
8. The Ongoing Promise: Peace for Today and Eternity
- Scripture:
- John 14:27 – "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives."
- Philippians 4:4–7 – A practical formula for accessing God’s peace: praise, pray, and express gratitude.
- Advice for Finding Peace:
- Even after coming to faith, the host describes recurring struggles with anxiety; the practice of praise, prayer, and gratitude is key.
- “Praise God, Talk to God, Thank God. ...His promise is to every single one of us that peace will come from him in a supernatural way. Peace that passes all understanding, peace that doesn't even make sense.” (A, 40:10–41:09)
- Even after coming to faith, the host describes recurring struggles with anxiety; the practice of praise, prayer, and gratitude is key.
- Accessibility & Supernatural Quality:
- “You can go to him anytime, anywhere. ...My son came to this world and he brought peace, and it's accessible to you. ...That peace is accessible to every single one of us.” (A, 41:09–41:56)
9. Room for Response and Prayer
- Call for Prayer and Decision:
- Listeners invited both to ask for renewed peace in hard times, and to make a first-time decision to accept Jesus and experience God’s peace and favor.
- “God, I need peace with you for the first time or I just need peace with you again this time. But, God, I need you. ...And his promise is, I got you and I bring a peace that doesn't even make sense. And church, peace changes everything.” (A, 42:51)
- Final moments are spent in prayer, personal reflection, and a musical benediction encouraging all to “receive” this peace.
Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments (with Timestamps):
- “We say all the time we're just a bunch of messed up, imperfect people, and it's true, but we love to get together like this and pursue a perfect God.” (A, 00:29)
- “He knew and he knows how difficult this life can be. And so he came as Emmanuel, God with us, and said, forever, I walk with you to fulfill the plan and the purpose through you.” (B, 01:51)
- “It's crazy to me...that we feel so stressed out this time of year. ...I allow celebrating the Prince of Peace to bring me crazy anxiety. That's jacked up, right?” (A, 13:23)
- “If we're not careful, what we think we just read is the angels showed up...and said, hey guys, Jesus is here, so there's going to be peace on earth. And everybody everywhere automatically gets it. ...But the verse actually says, on earth, peace.” (A, 20:30)
- “He did not come to bring political peace. He did not come to bring international peace. ...I came here to bring you at peace with God, your Creator, so you could be restored and renewed and redeemed and forgiven and ultimately go to heaven forever.” (A, 24:45)
- “On earth you can have peace if you are one of those who, because of your faith in Jesus, have chosen to allow his favor to rest on you.” (A, 29:18)
- “Now that he has chosen to receive the gift, my gracious favor now rests with him. And now he gets the benefit from what I paid for.” (A, 36:30)
- “I raised my hand and I experienced the presence of God for the first time. And I'm telling you, it changed my life forever.” (A, 38:42)
- “I have a peace that supersedes anything this world can throw at you.... we celebrate Christmas today because Jesus came down from heaven to be with us and he brought peace with him.” (A, 40:28)
- “Peace changes everything.” (A, 42:51)
Timestamps for Noteworthy Segments
- 00:04–01:09 — Welcome, community shout-outs, opening blessings
- 01:09–02:17 — The meaning of “Emmanuel” and God’s purpose
- 03:24–13:23 — Holiday stress, personal anecdotes, and humor
- 13:24–20:30 — The irony of Christmas anxiety, Prince of Peace, Luke’s Christmas narrative
- 24:10–29:18 — The distinction between “peace on earth” vs. “on earth, peace”; not world peace, but personal peace through faith
- 32:40–36:45 — "Gift exchange" skit: illustration of receiving God’s favor
- 38:15–38:42 — Host shares personal conversion/peace testimony
- 40:10–41:09 — How to access supernatural peace: praise, prayer, thanksgiving
- 41:09–42:51 — Invitation to experience peace, reflection, and prayer
Closing Thoughts
This Christmas message cuts through the surface-level, sentimental view of holiday “peace,” inviting listeners to something deeper and more enduring. Peace isn’t simply the absence of conflict or seasonal good vibes, but a personal, supernatural reality available through faith in Jesus. The speakers’ genuineness—both their humor and their honesty about personal struggles—underscore that this peace is needed by everyone, and that “peace changes everything”—today, tomorrow, and forever.
Red Rocks Church wishes all a Merry Christmas—may you receive this peace, wherever you are.