Ultimately with R.C. Sproul

Episode: Seeing Christmas through New Eyes

Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Ligonier Ministries (with archived teachings from R.C. Sproul)

Episode Overview

In this reflective episode, R.C. Sproul shares personal memories that unveil how his understanding of Christmas transformed after his conversion to Christianity. He revisits cherished traditions from his youth and contrasts the pageantry of the holiday with its deeper, spiritual significance. Through this lens, Sproul encourages listeners to view Christmas through the eyes of faith, underscoring the transition from sentimental celebration to profound joy rooted in truth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Childhood Traditions and the Magic of Christmas

• Nostalgic Recollection:
  Sproul paints a vivid picture of Christmas Eve in his Pittsburgh childhood, emphasizing the anticipation and communal warmth of the midnight church service.
  • "It was a tradition in our home to go to the Christmas Eve service every year... and it was filled with pageantry and great choral music." (01:08)
• Pageantry vs. Reality:
  He admits that, as a boy, the spectacle and tradition felt magical, yet his focus centered on the external fun—presents and the mythic visit from Santa Claus.

The Conversion Experience

• A Pivotal Change:
  In September 1957, Sproul describes his conversion as an awakening, introducing a newfound delight in Christ and scripture:
  • "Like any new Christian or young Christian, I was absolutely absorbed with the discovery of Christ. It was utter sweetness to me." (02:34)
• Heightened Appreciation:
  He recounts that, leading up to his first Christmas as a Christian, the spiritual ups and downs typical of new believers were present, but the holiday now promised something deeper.

Seeing Christmas with "New Eyes"

• Old Traditions, New Meaning:
  Returning to the familiar Christmas Eve service, Sproul experiences the rituals—hymns, the chimes at midnight, the pastor’s greeting—with a completely transformed perspective.
  • "This time when the minister interrupted his sermon and listened to the chimes and then leaned over the pulpit and said, 'it's Christmas,' I was ready to walk through the door into heaven." (03:32)
• From Sentiment to Truth:
  The event that was once emotional pageantry now became a living reality for him—a moment deeply rooted in the historic and spiritual truth of Christ's birth.
  • "...for the first time, I was experiencing this pageantry as reality, as truth, as something that had really taken place." (03:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Anticipation of Christmas Eve:
  • "At about 13 minutes to 12, the minister would begin his Christmas Eve homily... the organist would play the chimes in the church as if they were the chimes of a clock striking 12... The pastor would smile to the congregation and he would say, 'it's Christmas, and may I be the first on this day to wish you a merry Christmas.' Well, that used to send chills up and down my spine." (00:56–01:41)
• The Contrast After Conversion:
  • "Now, for the first time, I was experiencing this pageantry as reality, as truth, as something that had really taken place." (03:50)
• Overflowing Joy:
  • "I was ready to walk through the door into heaven. It was all the joy that I could handle..." (03:37)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Content | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Childhood memories of Christmas Eve traditions | | 01:08 | Description of the midnight service and pastor's tradition | | 02:11 | Realization as a non-believer: focus on presents and pageantry | | 02:34 | Sproul’s conversion and newfound absorption with faith | | 03:15 | Return home for first Christmas as a Christian | | 03:32 | Experiencing Christmas Eve service through faith | | 03:50 | Realizing the pageantry is now reality and truth |

Takeaway & Tone

Sproul’s narrative is rich with warmth, nostalgia, and profound spiritual reflection. He gently encourages listeners to move beyond the mere sentimentality of holiday traditions and to appreciate Christmas as a living reality—an event anchored in truth. The central theme: the greatest joy of Christmas emerges “when you see it through new eyes”—the eyes of faith.