Lights in the Darkness

Intro

The meaning behind Carls by Candlelight.

Why do we have a carols by candlelight service? Is it just a christmas tradition or is tere something more behind it?

Well for many it is just a christmas tradition, but for me, its an evening of pause, appriciation and worship.

Carols by candlelight reminds us of the true meaning of chridtmas. Besides all the wonderful songs about the birth of Jesus, the elements themsleves tell us a story.

If we turned off all the lights and blew out our candles, it would be totally dark. But our candles give light.

The Bible says:

John 1:4–5 AV

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:5–6 AV

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

Lets understand the darkness for just a moment.

1 John 1:4–5 AV

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Before Jesus Christ came to us, we were all walking in perpetual spiritual darkness.

Proverbs 4:19 AV

19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

And here is the fact: we loved that darkness because in the dark our sins and shame were well hidden.

John 3:19 AV

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

We lived in a world of spiritual darkness and there we would have sayed were it not for God.

Genesis 1:2–3 AV

2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

This light is the light that shines in the darkness - Jesus Christ.

And Christmas is the celebration of the coming of that great light.

But Jesus did not just shine alone in the darkness, for all who put their faith in him were transformed.

We, once empty vessels filled with darkness, have become earthen velles filled with treasure - Jesus has put his light into each one of us.

Look:

John 8:12 AV

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

So who is the light of the world? - Jesus.

But after his transforming work in our lives, look at what Jesus says:

Matthew 5:14 AV

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

You and I are now the light of this world.

And that is what each of the candles represent, as each candke is souyrrounded by darkness and its light shines.

Each of us is like a single little candle, letting our light shine in the darkness.

Matthew 5:16 AV

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Our lights are not THE light. Our little lights exist, not to draw attention to ourselves, but to help those in darkness find the true light.

John 1:9 AV

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

How well does your lightilluminate the way for other to find Jesus?