Potter’s House Christmas Special: From Our House to Yours

3:17 the one and only Pastor Cora Jakes. Good morning. Good evening. wherever you may be. Merry Christmas. Let's talk today about Jesus in the small things. In Matthew 25 40 it says, truly I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me. Today before the music rises, before the lights get brighter before the story of Christmas unfolds again, I want to invite us to slow down. Because Christmas isn't loud to Jesus. It's not rushed. It's not about the biggest moment in the room. Jesus has always been found in the small. And if we are not careful, we can celebrate the story of Jesus while missing the presence of Jesus.

4:19 Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me. I want you to think about something. What's striking about this passage is that Jesus doesn't say, when you sang about me, when you posted about me, when you gathered in my name. He says, when you noticed, when you stopped, when you served, when you showed compassion in places others walked past. You see, Jesus ties his presence not to platforms, but to people. Christmas itself tells us this. Gently, we are seeing that Jesus is born in a stable. First announced to shepherds, laid in a manger, not a palace, surrounded by ordinary people and animals.

5:17 Jesus didn't enter the world loudly. No, no. He entered humbly, which tells us something important. God is not intimidated by small things. I've got a question for you. What if the moments you think are insignificant are actually the moments heaven is leaning into? We live in a world that celebrates what's visible, viral, impressive. But Jesus says, I was hungry. I was lonely. I was unseen. And you noticed me. the quiet child, the tired parent, the grieving friend, the person who serves but is rarely thanked, the one struggling silently during the holidays.

6:15 Some of the holiest moments of your life won't look holy at all. Let that land. Through my life, I have learned that Jesus often shows up not when everything is together, but when I'm paying attention, when I'm listening, when I'm gentle, when I'm present. This season, who might Jesus be standing in front of you as? Not asking for perfection, just presence. This Christmas, maybe our worship looks like noticing, like slowing down, like loving the person right in front of us. Because when we do, Jesus says, that was me. Now, if you know me at all, we are not leaving here without an acronym.

7:15 Our acronym tonight is SEE, S-E-E, Jesus. Jesus is often revealed when we choose to see. S, slow down. Whatever you did requires awareness. We miss Jesus when we rush. We recognize him when we pause. Slowing down creates space for holy interruptions. Jesus is rarely found in a hurry. Where have I been moving too fast to notice God? E, extend compassion for the least of these. Compassion is not always dramatic. It looks like kindness, patience, listening, presence.

8:13 Small acts carry eternal weight. Every act of compassion is a doorway to encounter. Reflection prompt. Who around me might need compassion instead of correction? E, expect his presence. You did it unto me. Jesus promises to meet us in these moments. We don't have to create holy moments, just recognize them. Expectancy sharpens spiritual insight. When you expect Jesus to be near, you start seeing him everywhere. What if I lived today expecting Jesus to show up? So, if you take anything with you today, take this simple reminder.

9:15 When life gets loud, when trouble is awry and the season gets busy, when the moments feel small, remember to S-E-E, see Jesus. Slow down, extend compassion, expect his presence. Because the same Jesus who was found in a manger is still found in the margins. And when we choose to see, we don't just celebrate Christmas. We encounter Christ. Let's pray. God, I thank you for those who are listening. I thank you for an opportunity to see you. May we surrender our hearts to a moment that shows you that we admire and are in awe of the presence of you.

10:13 Move by your power in our life. May this not just be a regular celebration, but an honor of the presence that you are. We thank you for every grieving heart that you'll comfort today. for every joyful heart that you'll give to today. We thank you for your presence in the manger and in the margins.

10:41 Listen, the greatest miracle of Christmas isn't what God does in the sky, but what he does in us when we choose to see.