Behind the Light: The Making of a Christmas Eve Message

Making Sense of Faith with Adam Hamilton

In this holiday episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton takes listeners behind the scenes of his 35th Christmas Eve candlelight service at Church of the Resurrection. Speaking from his home, with his dog Rocky making a guest appearance, Adam shares the detailed journey of crafting and delivering multiple versions of his Christmas message about the Magi seeking Jesus. He walks through his thoughtful preparation process, from months of research to multiple sermon drafts, and how the message evolved through various services to reach over 31,000 in-person attendees and many more online and on television. The episode concludes with his final Christmas Eve sermon.

Key moments from the episode:

Behind the Perfect Christmas Message - Adam reveals his intensive 20-hour preparation process for each sermon, including research, multiple drafts, and careful consideration of how to speak to listeners' heads, hearts, and hands.
The Evolution of Excellence - Experience how the sermon transformed through multiple iterations, from Friday's TV recording to Sunday's traveler’s service, to the final Christmas Eve deliveries.
A Pastor's Vulnerability - Adam shares honest moments of feeling depleted, forgetting to eat before services, and the very human side of delivering multiple services to thousands of people over just a few days.
The Power of Generosity - Learn how the congregation's Christmas Eve offering of $2.2 million in 2023 is transforming lives through projects like a mobile dental clinic for underserved schools and support for global initiatives.
A Sacred Midnight Moment - The episode concludes with Adam's moving description of standing alone in the sanctuary at 1:05 AM after the final service, expressing gratitude for his calling and the privilege of serving his congregation.

Whether you're a regular churchgoer, someone curious about faith, or simply interested in the behind-the-scenes workings of one of the largest Christmas Eve services in America, this episode offers a unique glimpse into the heart and mind of a pastor striving to make ancient truths relevant for today's world. Adam's authentic, conversational style and willingness to share both the triumphs and challenges of ministry makes this holiday episode particularly special.