Share The Light!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Over the past four weeks, we have covered the other four Advent candles.

The first was hope, the second was peace, the third was joy, and the fourth was love.

As Christians, we can experience each of these in a very real and personal way because of what Jesus has done in our hearts!

Hope – We know from the Bible that God has always followed through on what He promises, and because of that, we have hope for the future. We understand that when we leave this earth, we will live eternally with Him in heaven.

Peace – The world is full of turmoil, and you don’t have to look far to find it. But as believers, we can have an inner peace despite our circumstances. The Bible describes it as a peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace can only be received through Jesus.

Joy – Similar to peace, joy is often fleeting in today’s world, yet as believers, we possess a joy that never ends. We know who we are, we are secure in Jesus, and we know where we are headed.

Love – the world’s love is unpredictable. Usually, love is only given when it’s received. But in the Bible, we see that God loved us first. In fact, it says He loved us even when we were still sinners. As believers, we experience a love that has no limits and is eternal.

Tonight is our final candle; it is the largest of the five and is in the center. It is known as the Christ candle.

Lighting of the Christ Candle

I want to ask some men in the church to come forward and light the Christ candle with me.

I want to make it clear that these candles hold no power; they are simply symbols of things we easily forget.

They serve as a reminder that Jesus Christ embodies each of the four qualities: hope, peace, joy, and love.

John 8:12 NASB95

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

When we think about candles and how they provide light in a room, Jesus also brings light.

He is The Light!

Have you ever been in a dark room where you can’t see?

You stumble around and inevitably stub your toe or hit your knee on something.

This is the imagery here…

If we are not followers of Jesus, then we are in constant darkness.

We are in the darkness of sin, and there is no way out.

We are constantly hurting ourselves and others as we navigate this life blindly.

But when we believe, Jesus brings light to our darkness.

He illuminates the path, and we are able to see.

As Christians, we have His light living within us.

That’s why even in a dark and dreary world, we can still find hope, peace, joy, and love.

Matthew 5:14–16 NASB95

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

If you are a Christian, you have the light of Christ living in you. Therefore, you have a responsibility to share that light.

Too many of us walk around this life trying to hide the light, afraid of what people may say or think.

But remember, if your friend, neighbor, or coworker does not have the light of Christ living within them, they are stumbling in darkness.

They are hurting and need help.

The greatest gift you can give this Christmas is to share the light of Christ with someone living in darkness.

Offer them a chance to receive the light that was so freely given to you.

Deacons come up for communion.

As we prepare for communion I want to share a couple of thoughts for us to consider.

While we celebrate Christmas and the gift from God, sending Himself in the form of a baby, we need to remember that the gift did not end at the manger; that was just the beginning.

If the gift of Jesus ended at the manger, there would be no salvation for you and me.

This gift of love from God was fulfilled 33 years later when Jesus gave His life for you and me on the cross.

This is why Jesus came. It wasn’t just for a cute manger scene on our front lawns or displays in our homes; it was a rescue mission for you and me.

Paul says this in 1 Cor. 15:3-4

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NASB95

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

This was God’s purpose when He came down as a little baby. His goal was to die and, in doing so, rescue those of us who believe in Him.

Interestingly, when we step back and look at Jesus' birth, it foreshadowed things to come.

When Jesus was born, He was wrapped in swaddling cloths, likely strips of cloth.

He was placed in a stone manger.

One of the wise men gifted Him Myrrh, a spice used for embalming and burial.

When Jesus died and was buried, He was again wrapped in cloths.

Then He was placed in a stone tomb.

This was and always will be the gift of Christmas given to you and me.

Many of us here have opened and received this gift called salvation.

But if you haven't, can I encourage you to open this free gift given to you?

You open it by believing that Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection were sufficient for your sins.

Understand that there is nothing you can do to get to heaven except depend completely on what Jesus has already done for you.

Pass out the Bread

Matthew 26:26 “While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.””

Pass out the Juice

Matthew 26:27–29 “And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.””

Light the candle from the Christ candle.

Silent Night

We Wish You Merry Christmas