Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – Luke 2:1-21 Pastor Matt Davis – Long Valley Bible Church Pastor Troy Thalheimer – First Baptist Cedar City Well, welcome to our Christmas Eve candlelight service for Church of the Bible online, First Baptist Cedar City, and Long Valley, I bet say I got it good. Long Valley Bible Church Joint Service. For those of you watching at home, welcome. And for those of you who are here that are welcome. We actually have quite a few people here, they can all make it on camera. So you'll see some of them soon enough. Let's open up with a word of prayer. Father, God, we just praise you and thank you for this day that you've given us. We thank You, Lord, that we can come together. We can worship you together as one family, one church, one body of believers, praising your name and giving you all the glory that you deserve. And we thank you, Lord, for what you have done for us so many years ago on the day that tomorrow represents where you came as a child lived and died for our salvation. And we praise you and thank you for these things in Jesus name. Amen. All right. Well, we're gonna start the service with Silent Night. On each of the last four Sundays, we have recalled one of the promises God made to us through the prophet Isaiah, and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The promise of a coming time of peace and joy for all. promise of forgiveness of sins and healing for our world. The promise of victory over death and destruction. The promise of a righteous king who would reign forever. (LIGHT THE PINK I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. With gladness, we welcome Christ into our world and into our lives. With joy, we receive the blessings he brings. Let us pray: Thank you God for your faithfulness to promises that you made long ago. You loved the world so much that you gave us your son to save us and reign over us. Help us tonight to worship you, to hear your word in faith, and to do your will by obeying our heavenly king. We ask this in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem and who reigns forever and ever. Amen. Luke 2:1-4 - And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) (Song, O Little Town of Bethlehem) Luke 2:5-7 - To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Song, Away in a Manger) Luke 2:8-14 - And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Song, Angels We Have Heard On High) Luke 2:15-16 - And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (Song, Drummer Boy) Luke 2:17-21 - And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Song, All Hail King Jesus) So they called His name Jesus. Jesus meaning savior from the Hebrew Yeshua and Jesus would become our Savior. He would not just be born in a manger, would not, the story would not end there. His story we continue on where he continued to teach the Word of God, teaching people to love one another, love God and serve Him. Jesus would also go and he would die. He would go to die on the cross not for his sins, not for his sins that he committed, but for our sins. Praise God for King Jesus. (Song, Oh Come All Ye Faithful) Please stand together with us as we light the Christ Candle. John 1:1-5 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:9-14 - That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of your true light. Grant that we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence, and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Let's close in prayer. Father God, we don't even have the words to express our gratitude, other than to say Thank You, Lord, which seems so inadequate for the gift that you gave to come down here who knew no sin to live in a world surrounded by sin, that we might know freedom from sin or we praise you and thank you with all of our hearts. And give you the glory and honor in Jesus name. And to everyone out there. Have a Merry Christmas