The Birth of the King & the Rage of the Dragon | Revelation 12:1-6

Phillip Bates
Dec 4, 2025
3 min read

An Apocalyptic Christmas Story, Part 1

Sermon Guide for December 7, 2025

How to Use This Guide:

These guides are designed to help you engage more deeply with my weekly sermon, regardless of your life stage. Use this guide to prepare your heart to receive God's Word before worship, or to reflect on God's Word the week following worship.

Parents, use the information in this guide (especially in the "Family Discussion Guide" section) to have meaningful conversations with your kids that nurture their faith and help them grow in God’s love.

The Core Idea

Revelation 12:1–6 pulls back the curtain on the Christmas story to show us that God’s purposes are unstoppable, even in the face of intense spiritual opposition. The birth of Jesus was not just a historical event—it was a cosmic victory over evil. God protected the Woman and her Son from the Dragon, ensuring that his redemptive plan would be accomplished. The same God continues to protect and nourish his church today. This passage calls us to trust God’s provision, rest in his protection, and persevere under his care.

Sermon Outline

1. God Protects the Savior (Revelation 12:1–5)

The Woman represents the People of God (Israel waiting for the Messiah, and the Church).
The Dragon represents Satan, who has historically sought to destroy the line of promise (Herod, Pharaoh, etc.).
God protected his Son, Jesus, from the Dragon’s schemes so that he could accomplish the mission of salvation—ultimately fulfilled in his resurrection and ascension (v. 5).
Key Takeaway: If God protected the Son from the Dragon, he will surely protect his people. His purposes are unstoppable.

2. God Nourishes His People in the Wilderness (Revelation 12:6)

The Wilderness symbolizes a place of safety and provision, not abandonment. It represents the church age we live in now.
The word “Nourish” echoes God’s provision of manna for Israel in their wilderness wanderings.
Key Takeaway: God equips his people to endure by giving them the resources they need—his Word, his Spirit, and his presence.

3. Our Response: Feast on God, Not the World

The “1,260 days” seem to represent the current time between Christ’s first and second comings—a time of opposition, yet sustained by God.
Spiritual malnourishment comes from feeding on worldly distractions (fear, materialism, politics) rather than God’s provision.
Key Takeaway: Examine your "spiritual diet" and feast on God’s truth to have the strength to persevere.

This Week’s Reflections & Practices

1. Re-Imagining the Nativity

The sermon suggested that a biblically accurate nativity scene would include a dragon next to the shepherds and sheep. Visualize that image. How does acknowledging the battle surrounding Jesus’ birth change the way you view the peace of the season?

2. Examine Your Diet

Are you feeling spiritually weary or malnourished? Do an inventory of what you have "eaten" this week. How much news, social media, or entertainment have you consumed compared to Scripture and prayer? Ask God to help you replace "junk food" with his nourishment.

3. Practice Trust

Identify one area of your life where you feel like you are in a "wilderness" (a dry or difficult season). Instead of panicking, treat this as a time to rely on God’s manna. Intentionally feed on a specific promise of God in that area this week.

Family Discussion Guide

Step 1: Read & Imagine

Read Revelation 12:1–6 together.

Step 2: Talk About It

The Protection: God protected baby Jesus from the Dragon’s schemes. How does knowing God’s power over the Dragon make you feel when you are scared or facing challenges?
The Wilderness: We are in a "wilderness" right now. A wilderness can be hard, but it is also where God provides special nourishment. How has God taken care of our family recently?
The Diet: We need "Spiritual Food" to be strong. If "junk food" for our spirits is things that make us scared or angry, what is "healthy food" for our hearts?

Step 3: Take Action Together

Pick one "Healthy Snack" for your spirit this week as a family:
- Pray together before school/work.
- Read a Bible story at dinner.
- Listen to worship music in the car instead of the radio.

Step 4: Wrap Up in Prayer

Thank God that he is stronger than the Dragon.
Thank him for protecting Jesus and for protecting us.
Ask him to help you "eat" good spiritual food this week so you can be strong and happy in him.