The Briefing with Albert Mohler

Episode: Friday, December 19, 2025
Host: R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
Theme: Cultural Commentary from a Biblical Perspective—Special Focus on Christmas, Hymns, Santa Claus, Mary, and the Regulative Principle

Episode Overview

In this Christmas-themed episode, Albert Mohler takes listener questions as his primary agenda, touching on Christmas hymns, the story and role of Santa Claus, the biblical portrayal of Mary, the doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity, and the application of the regulative principle of worship to Christmas. He concludes with a compelling reflection on the Incarnation, emphasizing its shocking profundity and unfathomable wonder from a Christian worldview.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mohler’s Favorite Christmas Hymns

[00:41–08:22]

• Mohler discusses his deep love for Christmas hymns, especially those proclaiming the Incarnation and the joy woven into the gospel narrative.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “[The Incarnation] is just the most astounding statement that human ears could ever hear. It's the dividing point in all of human history between the before and the after.” (01:30)
    • On "O Come All Ye Faithful": “I think it's the most majestic of all the Christmas hymns... there's a point at which you have to just stop talking and start singing.” (02:30)
  • Key Hymns Discussed:
    • “O Come All Ye Faithful” – for its majesty and centrality in declaring Christ’s birth.
    • “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” – rooted in 9th century tradition, emphasizing Advent as anticipation and fulfillment.
    • “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” (by Charles Wesley) – noted for doctrinal depth and congregational warmth.

The Role and Reality of Santa Claus

[08:23–18:41]

• Examines the historical and cultural complexity of Santa Claus, highlighting the real Saint Nicholas and the later commercial evolution.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “Santa Claus…was at least in part, a commercial invention.” (10:28)
    • “For Christians, the big issue…is that the entire focus should be on the promise of Christ and The fulfillment of…God's promise…” (12:32)
    • “By common grace, Santa Claus, I'll simply say, I have to leave that to the Christian conscience. But you can't lie.” (16:43)
  • Key Insights:
    • Even Santa’s importance is declining in secular America, reflecting broader trends of cultural secularization.
    • Gift-giving and celebration are rooted in Christian tradition but must stay centered on the Incarnation.
    • Christian parents must ensure clarity for children—fantasy stories vs. biblical truth; never equating folk tales like Santa with the historicity of Christ.

Mary in the Christmas Story and The Doctrine of Perpetual Virginity

[18:42–28:10]

• Reflections on Mary as portrayed in the Gospels (especially Luke), balancing her model obedience with a Christ-centered focus.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “Mary is held up in scripture…as a model of obedience. ‘Let it be unto me.’ It's just the sweetest statement of Mary's obedience.” (19:44)
    • “But it's all to point to Christ. It is all to point to the baby rather than the baby's mother.” (21:44)
  • Key Insights:
    • Scripture gives real, substantial focus to Mary, but always as a model of obedience, not for adoration.
    • Mohler firmly rejects the doctrine of perpetual virginity, citing references to Jesus’ brothers (James, Jude, etc.) and explaining it as rooted in later church tradition, not biblical warrant.
    • Distinction: Mary is honored, not worshipped; adoration is for Christ alone.

The Regulative Principle of Worship and Christmas

[28:11–36:14]

• Explains the regulative principle: should worship be only as prescribed in Scripture? Contrasts Calvinist/Reformed (strict) and Lutheran (broader) views.
  • “The regulative principle…is the principle that is very Protestant and is very Puritan, very Reformed, stating that worship should be regulated entirely by Scripture.” (28:15)
  • Lutheran view: if not forbidden, it’s allowed.
  • Reformed view: only that which is commanded is done.
• Mohler’s Position:
  • Celebrating Christmas and having special services/hymns focused on the Incarnation is not wrong if regulated by Scripture and central doctrines are clearly emphasized.
  • Argues for regular, intentional repetition of core doctrines and commandments throughout church life, not merely through continuous expository series.
  • Warns against neglecting needed doctrinal teaching on Christmas and the Resurrection by sticking too rigidly to unbroken expository schedules.

The Wonder and Shock of the Incarnation

[36:15–End]

• Mohler ends with a reflection on John 1:1–14, urging listeners to recover the “shock” of the Incarnation each Christmas.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. What we need to recognize is how offensive that would have been to so many people, how offensive it is even now, how radical this is as a shock.” (38:12)
    • “The Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest news that human beings could hear.” (41:16)
  • Key Insights:
    • The notion that the eternal Word—God—became flesh is utterly shocking, unique to Christianity, and often missed because of familiarity.
    • Calls for Christians not to lose wonder but to sing with full joy and marvel, to “feel the shock all over again.”
    • Ends with a prayer for a Christmas full of “the wonder of the Incarnation.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps):

• On Christmas Hymns:
  • “There's a certain experience in declaring the truth of the gospel together through song and the great truths of the Christian faith. When you're declaring the great central truth of the Incarnation, there's a point at which you have to just stop talking and start singing.” (03:04)
• Santa Claus & Truthfulness:
  • “You can't lie. I'll just put it that way. So be very careful that you don't speak to your children what you later have to come back and say, ‘No, that...I didn't mean that to be taken as fact, the way you received it.’ Just imagine how that can undermine even the teaching of biblical truth.” (16:43)
• On Mary:
  • “We are to adore Christ. We are to honor Mary. That’s a very clear distinction.” (23:58)
• On the Regulative Principle:
  • “I think responsible church rightly can celebrate Christmas, can celebrate the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ with a special emphasis...I don't think we need to ignore that.” (31:10)
• On the Incarnation:
  • “It is a shocking thing. John 1:14 is an astounding, shocking—by conventional wisdom, outrageous—statement: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (39:45)
  • “This is the greatest news any human ears could ever hear. It's the greatest words any human could ever read. We've set this to song and we understand there's no song that's fully adequate. But we just can't help singing those songs with full energy and full joy. We need to sing them with full wonder and we need to feel the shock all over again.” (41:03)

Timestamps for Main Segments

• Opening & Christmas Hymns: 00:00–08:22
• Santa Claus: 08:23–18:41
• Mary & Perpetual Virginity: 18:42–28:10
• Regulative Principle & Christmas Worship: 28:11–36:14
• Reflection on the Incarnation (John 1): 36:15–End

Conclusion

Mohler’s final charge is to recapture the depth, joy, and awe of Christmas—to “feel the shock” of the Incarnation, let worship and family celebration be steeped in biblical truth, and cherish the greatest news the world has ever heard: that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Wishing all listeners a Merry Christmas—filled with the wonder of the Incarnation.