Christmas Candle Light

Welcome And Prayer

Many Christians would be surprised, and perhaps even disappointed, to learn that the song often cited as our favorite Christmas carol is not actually a Christmas carol at all. The famed hymn writer Isaac Watts published "Joy to the World" in 1719. Millions of Christians sing this great hymn at Christmas, celebrating the great news of the incarnation and declaring "let earth receive her king."

"Let every heart, prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing."

At Christmas we celebrate the incarnation of Christ, the coming of Jesus in Bethlehem. But "Joy to the World," though sung rightly and triumphantly at Christmas, is really about the Second Coming of Christ.

Watts led in the development of hymns in the English tradition, drawing many of his hymn texts directly from the Psalms. “Joy to the World” is based upon , which declares creation’s joy when the Lord comes to rule and to judge. When we sing “Joy to the World, the Lord is Come,” it applies when we talk about Bethlehem and when we rejoice in the gift of the infant Christ. But the song also reminds us that Christmas isn’t over; the promises of Christmas are not yet fulfilled. Earth will fully receive her King when Christ comes again, to reign and to rule.

Song- Joy To the World (v. 1,2, and 4) #181

Welcome

Luke 2:1–14 NASB95

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Luke 2:1–12 NASB95

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

The fact of the Incarnation of the Son of God is for us a powerful invitation to worship him. This is what the first stanza is all about. The angels sing, “Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King; peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Because of their cry, we are invited to echo back: “Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; with th’angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

The Song goes on to beautifully lay out the benefits of the incarnation. We sing, “Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace,” because Jesus gives peace. We sing, “Hail the Sun of Righteousness,” because Jesus gives the righteousness of God to sinners. We sing, “Light and life to all He brings,” because Jesus opens our eyes and resurrects our souls unto eternal life. We sing, “Ris’n with healing in His wings,” because Jesus heals us from the sickness of our sins. The stanza then says, “Mild He lays His glory by,” and the threefold benefits of this act of the Son:

Born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

Song- Hark The Herald Angels Sing (v. 1,3) #192

Luke 2:15–20 NASB95

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Long lay the world In sin and error pining,

’Til He appear’d And the soul felt its worth.

The dark world into which our Savior was born is one living in sin. Paul, quoting Psalms, tells us:

The dark world into which our Savior was born is one living in sin. Paul, quoting Psalms, tells us:

None is righteous, no not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” ()

“No one seeks for God... no one does good.” This is captured well in “long lay the world in sin and error pining.” Instead of seeking God and doing good, the world (in error) pines after lesser things, idols crafted by human hands- their god is their belly.

Pining is one of those older words we don’t hear very often. It does refer to a desperate longing, but it also has a more archaic meaning of discontent and fret. Both reflect what the Bible tells us about the state of the world. In rebellion against God it seeks satisfaction in things that do not satisfy. It is a restless world that will not embrace the one cure that can save it.

Thankfully there is a message of hope attached to this dire assessment of the world. That hope is found in the appearance of our Savior. His light is the cure for our darkness. All the gods of this world will not satisfy or give meaning to lives that seem like dust in the wind.

Jesus the Christ satisfies thirsty souls that rest in Him and pine for Him. He makes our souls feel their worth because “He is the image of the invisible God” in who’s very image we were made. Only our Creator can give us purpose and fulfill us, and we can find much joy and comfort in the fact that He has come and accomplished this.

Song- O Holy Night (v.1,3) #194

John 3:16 NASB95

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

God sent His Son, born of a virgin, He lived perfectly. He died. And he rose again.

For us.

Guilty Sinners.

Romans 5:8 NASB95

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB95

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

So tonight we remember that gift and thank God for it.

1 Corinthians 11:23–32 NASB95

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

Give Some Time for Examination.

Pray.

Communion

When Jesus had finished giving the first Lord’s Supper, it says they sang a song.

Please stand and Turn With me to Hymn 506

Song- In Christ Alone #506

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.”

God has given us His Son Jesus to be the Light of the World.

We were in darkness. He has given us light.

2 Corinthians 4:6–7 NASB95

For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

2 Corinthians 4:6 NASB95

For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

2 corinthians 4:

the God who spoke into the darkness and brought forth light has spoken into our dark hearts and given us His light.

I pray that we reflect the light this Christmas and remember the light has shone in our hearts.

Our deacons will now come by and light the candle of the first person towards the center aisle, please be careful.The best way to light your candle is to have the person with the lit candle hold theirs steady while you take your unlit candle and light it with the flame. Keep doing that until everyone candle is lit and then we will sing Silent Night and dismiss row by row beginning with the first row and moving back. There is a box in the back. Please blow out the candle as you leave the church building and place the candles in the box.

Lets pray and then we will light the candles.