Candlelight

The Light - Matthew 1:18-25

Why do you light the candles? Why celebrate the birth of Christ? Listen, lighting the candles, Jesus’s birthday, its all mainly because a mind-blowing event happened in their time - God became flesh and dwelt among them. (Jn 1:14). To commemorate it, many christians already thought it was 12/25 and then a bishop named Sextus Julius Africanus around the end of the 2nd century, beginning of the 3 did his best to come up with what he thought was the birth of Christ. Whether its right or wrong, they did it. And its still done today. And the candles, most think it sprang from the candles that used to be on the Christmas tree for the same reasons, lets look a that now.

Matthew 1:18–25  NKJV  “ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”

Now, 4 months after Jesus was born - Matthew 2:1–2  NKJV  “ Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”” they saw his light and traveled so far to come worship

The light -

In John 8:12  NKJV  “ Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”” Now an amazing thing He says is John 9:5  NKJV  “ As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.””

Turn to Matt 5, Now Jesus is the light, because He is still in this world, in all of us who have received His Holy Spirit - being lived in by HIM - Matthew 5:14–16 “ “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” when they saw jesus do miracles they glorified God, salvation is a miracle. Share jesus with everyone!

Light Candles - Sing my brothers and sisters, sing little lights! Live out the Gospel in this lost and dark world!