The Voice of God

Introduction

IL: Christmas lights

Clark Griswold (Christmas Vacation) tries to get the lights to work.

Annual lighting of the O’Brien tree.

getting things out of storage (grrr)

the struggle with the lights (grrr)

the first lighting (squinting to get the out-of-focus effect)

eggnog!

Transition: It’s a dark world out there.

Covid, and other sickness and disease

Divided nation

Divided families

Economic challenges

But against the darkness, there is a greater light than that on our trees and in our neighborhoods. It is the light of the World - Jesus.

Open your Eyes to the Light of the World

John 1:1–5 NIV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Word

Life

Light and Darkness

Open Your Eyes to the Light of Creation

Genesis 1:1–5 NIV

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

Jesus, who is God, participated in the Creation of everything

Darkness and Light.

Open your Eyes to the Gift in the Manger

Isaiah 9:1–2 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.

Jesus is the gift in the manger.

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

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.

Who is Christ to You?

Invitation to receive Christ.

Darkness is always defeated by light.

IL: Cave of the Winds experience.

Similarly, Jesus is the Light in a world of darkness.

As we sing our final carol this Christmas Eve, we will dim all the lights. I will light my candle and you will see how one candle defeats the darkness. then as all of you light your candles and sing. Look around and see how much brighter it is when we all let the light shine.

If you are at home, I invite you to do something similar before the night is over. Find a dark room in your home. Feel the darkness, then light a single candle and read John 1 4-5

John 1:4–5 NIV

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.