Longing For The Light At Christmas

INTRODUCTION

Christmas is a time marked by anticipation and longing.

Gifts

Family

Celebrations

The Christmas season is not just about gift-giving and celebrations, but an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Jesus as the true source of hope and joy.

An Lesson In Humility

Read Luke 2:1-7

It is fascinating how our Creator came into His creation in such a humble manner.

The Almighty Creator laid in an animal feeding trough

He truly emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:7).

Read John 1:9-14

v. 9 - The message of the Word enlightens every man

Verse 7 shows that John testified so that all might believe through him.

John’s ministry was to point people to Jesus so that they would believe that He is the true Light

v. 10-13 - How Jesus is received…

Ignorance - The world did not know Him

Rejection - His own did not receive Him

Acceptance - right to become children of God

Jesus dwelt among the people

He took on human flesh and rubbed shoulders with His creation

He lived to make a difference…He exemplified the glory of God the Father to the people

Serving God is often not a lofty station in life.

But He works great things through those who humble themselves before Him

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

A Lesson In Faithfulness

Read Matthew 1:18-25

The word betrothed indicates the period of time before a marriage where a man and a woman “prove” their loyalty to one another.

This was really the first part of marriage.

With such a high view of the betrothal period, a betrothed woman and a man, who was not her husband, who engaged in an intimate manner could be punished as adulterers.

So, what is happening up to this point?

Mary has been with her cousin, Elizabeth for 3-months (Luke 1:56) She comes home to Galilee and is found to be pregnant.

There is only one reasonable conclusion: the baby’s daddy is not Joseph.

At this point, Joseph was legally permitted to divorce Mary, and even pursue having her put to death.

Joseph is called just, which means that he was careful in his observance of the law.

He preferred to divorce her quietly.

Enter: random angel in Joseph’s dream.

As soon as Joseph awakened from this dream, he obeyed God’s command for him.

He violated the custom by immediately taking Mary into his home rather than waiting till the one-year time period of betrothal had passed.

Joseph’s obedience is a reminder for us to trust in God's purpose amidst our uncertainties and brokenness.

Their testimonies are compromised and they probably do not have much of a support structure around them.

Mary would have brought shame to her family because of her pregnancy.

Joseph would have brought shame to his family because of his decision to take Mary in as his wife.

Jesus, during His own earthly ministry, would be ridiculed about who His father is (Luke 4; John 7-8).

Despite the certain opposition they would face and the relationships that would be lost, they continued in their obedience to God.

George Morrison Pastor in Glasgow, Scotland (1902-1928)

The victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings.

These new beginnings could be:

New friends

New home

New work

New ministry

No matter what changes in our lives, what must never change is our faithfulness to follow God.

CONCLUSION

The true gift of Christmas is found in the longing for and connection to Jesus, who brings hope and fulfillment to our deepest desires.