The Amazing Gift of Christmas

In advent we have considered the amazing gifts of Christmas

Hope

Peace

Joy

Love

Today we go back to that night one last time to consider the birth of the Christ child.

For thousands of years the people of Israel have been

Waiting for the birth of the Messiah

God has been revealing what that time would be like

God has been proclaiming joy

They have been preparing for the day

Yet note what John says about the response of the people - John 1:9-13

John 1:9–13 NASB 2020

9 This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.

It is this light that we consider this evening

Light Came to a Dark place

There was a promise of a coming light

Isaiah 9:2 NASB 2020

2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.

This Christ Candle reminds of this light

The night of the nativity was a night filled with great light - Luke 2:9

Luke 2:9 NASB 2020

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

The word for glory - brightness, splendor, radiance

It was a night of darkness, out in a field, you did have some light

But then out of nowhere Bamm!!!

Then in the little town of Bethlehem suddenly the Messiah is born.

A manger a place where animals feed

A sign, a fulfillment given - Isaiah 7:14

Isaiah 7:14 NASB 2020

14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel.

The Light continues to shine

We continue to carry that light brought to this world in the birth of Messiah

Philippians 2:15 NASB 2020

15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

The light shines in our hearts

O Little Town of Bethlehem

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heav’n

No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin

Where meek souls will receive him still

The dear christ enters in

The light that Christ brings to humans hearts changes people

As Christ was born in Bethlehem, so he should be born in our hearts, we are changed.

It is an epic story that is still unfolding, and we are all part of it.

Sanctification reminds us that the goal in life is to think Christ’s thoughts, follow Christ’s direction and value what Christ would value.

We are called to open every aspect of our lives to his power and influence.

Like a bright light shinning in a dark cave!

John 3:19–21 NASB 2020

19 And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed. 21 But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God.”

Think for a moment of the influence of a group of people being transformed, sanctified into the likeness of Christ can have on this world.

If we join forces with each other in seeking to grow up into the likeness of Chris, we become a powerful transformative force of love that changes homes, workplaces, communities, and the world!

Our work continues until Christ comes again in final victory and takes full charge over all things.

Conclusion

Every Christmas Eve is a time to consider Christ’s birth in our lives

Are we more like Him than we were a year ago?

Is the process of becoming more like him continuing?

Has the process stalled amid the distractions and chaos of our daily lives?

Are we daily setting aside time and space to pray, read scripture, and allow God to occupy our hearts and minds?

Have we fully surrendered?

Are we shutting Jesus out as the inns in Bethlehem shut Mary and Joseph out because there was no room?

Is there no room in our lives?

Advent is a time to reflect on hope, peace, joy, love.

A time to reflect and ask have we have birthed Jesus in our lives?

Let us pray!

Silent Night - Cliff olds

We are bringing back a Tradition not done in many years.

While we light our candles Cliff Olds is going to sing silent night for us in German, Spanish, and English.

Then we will join him in the last verse and sing together.

Blessing for Dismissal

May God, who sent His angels to proclaim the glad tidings of the Savior’s birth

Fill you with joy and make you heralds of the gospel. Amen