Christmas Candlight 2020

INTRO:

We love Christmas lights - (really me, not just kids).

Special light this year: Did you see the Christmas star?

Transition: it reminded me of the tradition of lights at Christmas.

BODY:

Christmas from God’s perspective from John 1:

John 1:1–5 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

From the beginning: It was much bigger than our perspective. (not manger, not even Genesis).

V4 - life, was the light of men.

V5 - Light shines in the darkness

Its a dark world. We need light more than ever.

St. Augustine, how could there by bad, it is the lack of light or good.

John 1:6–11 ESV

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

V6 - John reflected that light. But he was not the light. He was doing was we are all called to do.

V10 - He made the world - yet they did not know him. He was born without pomp or circumstance. in a small village, with no one noticing besides shepherds.

Illustration: Star looked unimpressive, until you are close...

John 1:12–14 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Boys thought stars were small.

Christmas is not like a small star, but it is the sun which will rise in the morning. In which we not only see, but see everything else by!

Will you accept him? Will you seek Him draw close to Him? Be like John who reflected that light.

GET CANDLE OUT!!!

Let these candles by a reminder of the light that has come to us so long ago.

Let them be our motivation to draw closer to the light.