Podcast Summary: Making Christmas Last

Podcast: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson
Host: Sinclair B. Ferguson (Ligonier Ministries)
Date: December 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this reflective episode, Sinclair B. Ferguson explores the theme of “making Christmas last” beyond the fleeting excitement of the holiday. Drawing on childhood memories, personal spiritual lessons, and the biblical message of Hebrews 13:8, Ferguson challenges listeners to extend the true spirit of Christmas beyond December 25th—reaching into their daily lives and into the lives of others in need.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Child’s Experience of Christmas and Boxing Day

• Ferguson opens with a nostalgic reflection on Boxing Day as it’s observed in the United Kingdom.
  • [00:08] “As a child, it struck me as a very curious description for the day after Christmas. It apparently was not the one day in the year when you were allowed to fight with your big brother.”
  • He humorously recalls believing it was a day for putting gifts back into boxes in an attempt to recapture the magic of Christmas Day.
  • [01:22] “But of course, it was never the same as opening them for the first time. It could never be the same. Christmas Day was Christmas Day 24 hours only once a year, unrepeated...”

2. The Longing to Make Christmas Last

• This childhood longing to “make Christmas last” leads to a deeper spiritual question.
  • [02:10] “And so when I later became a Christian, I couldn't help asking myself, is it possible to make Christmas last?”
• Ferguson finds an answer in Hebrews 13:8:
  • [02:18] “‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.’”

3. Biblical Reflection: The Unchanging Christ

• Ferguson explains that “yesterday” in Hebrews refers not to just the previous day, but to “the days of Jesus’ flesh”—his earthly ministry.
• “Today” is interpreted as the present era spanning from Christ’s ascension to his return.
  • [03:01] “He’s the same today and tomorrow and the next day. And he will be forever.”
• Key theological insight:
  • [03:14] “He’ll be the same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, who walked the dusty roads of Galilee, who was crucified outside Jerusalem, who rose again and ascended... and who one day will come again in glory. That’s the Jesus whose birth we celebrate. And listen, Jesus has not changed since yesterday.”

4. The True Meaning of Boxing Day

• Ferguson corrects his childhood assumption about Boxing Day, sharing its historical Christian roots:
  • [04:00] “Actually it’s called Boxing Day for another reason entirely. It’s because the day after Christmas Day traditionally was the day Christians would put food and other things in boxes and distribute them to the needy.”
• Boxing Day, then, is an opportunity for Christians to mirror Christ’s generosity:
  • [04:27] “In a way, it was saying, at least symbolically, that in his birth the Lord Jesus gave himself to us, and in his death he gave Himself for us. And now he lives to take care of us in our need.”

5. Applying the Lesson: Extending Christmas to Others

• The real way to make Christmas last is by extending its blessings to others, especially the needy:
  • [05:09] “That’s surely one way we can make Christmas last. That’s how we can extend what it means beyond ourselves.”
  • [05:27] “Then remember that inasmuch as you have done something for one of the least of Jesus’ brothers, you do it for him who has done so much for you.”
• Ferguson encourages listeners to consider a simple action on Boxing Day to share Christ’s love:
  • [05:50] “...perhaps you should take just a moment to think of one simple way in which you can make Christmas last, not just for yourself, but also for others who so deeply need to know our Lord Jesus Christ, God's inexpressible gift.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the letdown after Christmas:
  “And as a child, I hated this letdown and the demands it made on my patience. And try as I might, I could not make Christmas last.” — Sinclair B. Ferguson [01:43]
• On who Jesus is and always will be:
  “He will be forever the same person he was when he came and lived among us... That’s the Jesus whose birth we celebrate. And listen, Jesus has not changed since yesterday.” — Sinclair B. Ferguson [03:14]
• On extending Christmas beyond ourselves:
  “That’s surely one way we can make Christmas last. That’s how we can extend what it means beyond ourselves.” — Sinclair B. Ferguson [05:09]
• A call to action:
  “Perhaps you should take just a moment to think of one simple way in which you can make Christmas last, not just for yourself, but also for others who so deeply need to know our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s inexpressible gift.” — Sinclair B. Ferguson [05:50]

Important Timestamps

• 00:08 – Opening reflection on Boxing Day and childhood memories
• 01:43 – The emotional letdown after Christmas
• 02:18 – Spiritual question: “Is it possible to make Christmas last?”
• 03:01 – Explanation of Christ’s unchanging nature across time
• 04:00 – The real meaning behind Boxing Day
• 05:09 – Encouragement to extend Christmas’ meaning to others
• 05:50 – Final exhortation: practical ways to “make Christmas last”

Closing Thoughts

Sinclair B. Ferguson gently encourages believers not just to savor Christmas for a day or attempt to recapture its feeling for themselves, but to embody its meaning every day through acts of generosity, reflection on Christ’s unchanging presence, and service to those in need. By doing this, Christians can truly “make Christmas last” in both their own hearts and the wider world.