Let There Be Light
The First Words of Christ • Sermon • Submitted
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· 6 views"Let There Be Light" is a short devotional used for Christmas Eve. The emphasis is the power of Christ, the Light of the World.
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I had never thought about it before, but have you noticed that Jesus was born at night? You could say that it was at least a 50/50 possibility, but I think that it is more than that. He is the light in the dark.
Have you ever noticed that light shows up repeatedly in the events around the birth of Jesus? In the Luke narrative Zechariah’s song follows Mary’s. He says…
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Zechariah refers to “my child” being John the Baptist but transitions to the birth of Jesus as the one who would “shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death”. Jesus always brings the light.
In just a few verses more the shepherds are overwhelmed by the light.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Although they were terrified at first, they were reassured that they should be filled with joy
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
In the middle of the night terror goes away and the light of joy floods the hearts of the shepherds. The light of Jesus brings joy to hearts.
Luke never mentions the magi, but Matthew tells us about magi from the East who came sometime after the birth of Jesus. Their guide had been a star that rose out of the west and guided them to the home of Jesus. Their only stated purpose was to worship Him.
Luke and Matthew point out places of light but so does John. In fact, the light was so important to John that he begins with it.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The issue of purpose and meaning and settled in this verse. Life is in Him. He is the light of all mankind. Later in John’s Gospel, Jesus would say it Himself.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
We could put out this center candle with our fingers, or with a breath but Jesus…well that’s another thing. Jesus pierces the darkness. Jesus warms cold hearts. Jesus destroyed sin and ravaged Hades and took the keys of death. Our candles and batteries will expire but the Light of the World is eternally lit.
I can’t conclude this evening without including one of my favorite verses. It occurs in Revelations and gives us a peek into Heaven.
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Along with millions of other Christians this evening we celebrate the Light, Jesus Christ. The advent candle reminds us of Him. The candles that each of us hold represent our hope in Christ, our joy that is complete in Jesus, the love of God in and through us, and the peace that comes in knowing that Jesus is “God with us”. Hold it high, the darkness cannot overcome it. LET THE LIGHT SHINE FOREVERMORE!