Christmas 2020: Light

2020 Advent  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  46:08
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Today’s theme for advent is light.
Again, we will use our questions to consider this theme.
What is light?
How can we experience light?
How does Christmas help us to understand and experience light?
Today we are going to be looking at two events around the birth of Christ.
The first is before his birth, and the second, after.
Please open your bibles to the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 1.
Matthew records Joseph’s reaction to Mary being pregnant with Jesus.
Matthew 1:18–25 NIV
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Matthew next records what took place after Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:1–12 NIV
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
What do these accounts tell us about light?
How can Christmas help us learn to understand and experience light?
Let’s pray, and then begin considering light.

What is light?

What is light seems like a silly question to ask. We have lights in the sanctuary. It is light outside. We all know what light is.
But let’s take a moment to reflect on this topic anyway.
What is light? First, as I already mentioned, we typically refer to light as:

Natural light

The first, and most natural definition of light that comes to mind is Natural light. This is what God created on the first day, just after creating the heavens and the earth.
Light is necessary for most forms of life that God created. Most plants need light to survive. We need plants for our survival. We need light to see and move about.
God created the sun, moon, and stars for us to use for light and for telling times and seasons. We use these lights for direction. Light is essential for life, getting around, and direction.
In Exodus, God used a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night to lead the Israelites. As long as they followed the light, they were on course.
In the account of what took place around Jesus’ birth you see the wise men following a special star that God put in the heavens to lead them to the newborn king, the savior of the world.
We did not read it today, but there is also the light that shone around the shepherds when the angel appeared to announce the savior!
Natural light is God-given for us to be able to live properly, determine the times and seasons, to get around safely, and to have direction.
That is one aspect of light, we need to consider when asking, “What is light?”
Another aspect is:

Spiritual light

God uses light in the bible in a spiritual sense as well. He uses Light to show forth certain of His perfections. His perfections are characteristics, or attributes, of God. We call them perfections because He is each of his characteristics, perfectly, or completely.
Here are some of His perfections which are symbolized by light:

Light as God’s Holiness and Purity

Light is a symbol of God’s holiness and purity. As Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:15-16:
1 Timothy 6:15–16 NIV
which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
unapproachable light - because God is holy. He is unique, distinct. He is also entirely pure and righteous.
And as John wrote in 1 John 1.5:
1 John 1:5 NIV
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
God has no evil, no unrighteousness in Him. He always does what is good an right.
Light represents God’s holiness, purity and righteousness.
Another spiritual use of light is:

Light as God’s glory

In describing the new Jerusalem on the new Earth, John records this in Revelation 21:23:
Revelation 21:23 NIV
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Asaph writes this in Psalm 76:4,
Psalm 76:4 NIV
You are radiant with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game.
God is glorious, majestic, which is often described as light!
Still another spiritual use of light is:

God’s immutability, or unchangeableness

God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
This perfection is described in James this way:
James 1:17 NIV
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Shadows change. Depending on the position of the light source related to different objects, shadows change shape, size and intensity.
However, light does not change.
God’s unchangeableness is a comfort to us, and we can remember this by looking at light.
Yet another spiritual use of light is:

Light as God’s favor and grace

Throughout the scriptures, light is used as a symbol of God showing favor and grace to His people.
Numbers 6:24–26 NIV
“ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’
The Lord’s face shining on you is meant to give hope and peace as we know the Lord is looking upon us favorably. He is taking care of us. He is providing what we need.

Light as God’s salvation

Throughout the scriptures, God is at work to redeem and restore His people.
God is Holy and Pure. He dwells in light. He is unchanging. He is gracious. He is wise. And He provides salvation for us, because we dwell in darkness.
Light is a symbol of the salvation God provides.
Isaiah 9:1–7 NIV
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Jesus is the Light of the world! The Savior has come to shine light for those who dwell in darkness and sin!

Light as God’s wisdom and direction

Psalm 119:130 NIV
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:105 NIV
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

What keeps us from the light?

Sin in the world can hinder us from seeing the light. This world and sin are often symbolized by darkness in the scriptures.
Isaiah 59:9 NIV
So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
This world truly is a dark place is it not? Do you sometimes feel the oppression of the darkness of this world? The context of this verse can easily describe our world today...
Isaiah 59:6–9 NIV
Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace. So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
Then, after considering the darkness of this world, we have to be honest and see the sin in ourselves...
Isaiah 59:12 NIV
For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities:
Sin in the world can hinder us from seeing and experiencing the light of the Lord. But what truly keep us from seeing and experiencing the light of the Lord is sin in ourselves.
1 John 1:5–6 NIV
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.
But there is hope in the Lord.
Isaiah 60:2 NIV
See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.

How can we find and experience light in our lives?

We need to see the natural light, and remember the spiritual light it symbolizes!
Like Joseph and the Wise men, we need to recognize that we are in a dark world, and we need light, direction from the Lord!
We need to see the Light, and remember that God is Holy and Pure! And, he created us to be holy like him.
We need to see the Light, and know that God is glorious and majestic, worthy of our constant focus and praise, instead of being distracted by things here.
We need to see the Light and know that God does not change. The world, and some supposed Christians want to tell us that we are evolving in our understanding, and that what was thought to be evil is not understood to be good.
God does not change. God does not lie. We need to see the Light that what God has said is still true today.
We need to see the Light of God’s favor and blessings in our lives. Though the darkness is great, God’s light and His blessings are real! We need to take time to see the blessings instead of focusing on the darkness.
And we need to see the Light to deal with sin!

Light of God’s grace and salvation

Acts 26:18 NIV
to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Psalm 56:13 NIV
For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Psalm 89:15 NIV
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
1 John 1:7–9 NIV
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Light of God’s wisdom and direction

God gave direction to Joseph and to the wise men through angels, his messengers.
Now, we have the Holy Spirit within us.
We have the word of God.
Ephesians 5:8–20 NIV
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:3 NIV
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
1 John 2:9–10 NIV
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.
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