This One Light

Light dispels darkness: Where there is light, darkness cannot exist.

It is impossible for darkness to overcome light.

Light gives direction: Walking in the light tends to help you see where you are and where you are going. Walking in the light tends to give you direction on things to avoid.

Light offers discovery: Things are much easier to find with the lights on. Have you ever tried to search for something in the dark and not been able to find it?

Christmas is the beginning of death’s destruction.

Jesus pierced the darkness of death with the power of the resurrection and eternal life. There is hope because Jesus came to our world to defeat the power of sin and be our redeemer.

Tonight we celebrate that the light of life has dawned and that we no longer need to fear because the savior of the world has come to us.

Light has dawned

Isaiah 9:2 MSG The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows— light! sunbursts of light! Isaiah 9:2 MSG

The nation of Israel had been walking in a season of darkness that caused the people to lose hope.

God speaks in the midst of these fears and offers hope that there would be a day when the darkness would be defeated and a new light would dawn for the entire world.

The timing of God could not have come at a more desperate point in history. Israel was suffering immensely under the occupation of Rome and endured one of the worst periods of persecution in their history.

* Religious freedom was limited

* Massive deportations took place across the Roman Empire

* The promise of the Messiah seemed like a dim hope

One night the darkness was broken by the light of a special star.

It is not by accident that God chose to guide the Magi to the Christ child through the light of a magnificent star.

Christmas is the season where God penetrates the darkness of fear and doubt to give us light and hope.

The Light of the World

John 8:12 ESV

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The promise that Jesus makes is one of hope... that no matter what happens in life, we will never have to walk alone.

No matter what path we walk down, Jesus is with us to light the way.

There will never be a time when we have to wander in darkness – we have the gift of His light to guide the way.

The Light of Life

John 1:1–5 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

In the beginning of his gospel John describes Jesus as the living Word; the power that holds all things in life together.

There is no situation in your life that is so dark that Jesus cannot illuminate it.

The hope that we have in Jesus penetrates the despair that sin creates and allows us to walk in His divine light.

I am the Bright Morning Star

Revelation 22:16 ESV

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

The morning star appeared in the western sky before dawn.

It outshines other stars and is an indication that dawn will soon break.

The morning star brings hope, and gives direction.

That’s what Jesus has for you this Christmas.

Maybe the year hasn’t gone the way that you had hoped.

Maybe you have been left a little confused as to your next step.

Jesus is here, now. To show you the way and to help you take that next step.