The Seven lights of Christmas!
Thesis: The seven lights of Christmas all focus their beam of light onto the true meaning of Christmas. These beacons of light illuminate Jesus “The Light of the World”- The Messiah born to die so that we could live! Born to die to create and intimate relationship with us.
Texts: Isaiah 9:1-7
1Nevertheless, 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 Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan—
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
4 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.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
6 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.
7 Of the increase 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.
Introduction:
We have been captured for the last few weeks in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. We have been dunked into the Christmas movies – the Christmas décor-the Christmas spirit- the Christmas commercialization and so on.
I must admit it has been hard to come from the poverty and need of India right into the Christmas season with all the extravagance. All the spending of money all the “You have to have this for Christmas!” When you compare where I was and where I am it actually seems like a dream. It tugs at your heart and says is this real? Why do we have so much and the Indians possess so little?
Well they possess no material stuff but you know what I noticed about the Christians in India – they do have something we don’t have – They have deep personal relationships with one another. The guys walk down the street holding hands- Pastor Gabriel on one of our road trips sat in the front seat hugging his best friend Pastor David. He even once held my hand and man was I uncomfortable! But they value relationships with others- their lives are relational- they express their love for one another in a physical way. They laugh, giggle, smile, cry, hug, comfort one another, hold hands and genuinely care about the other person’s life and family. They in essence are people who place more value on relationships with others than they do on material things!
I look around at the mad dash to buy-buy and buy and ask myself is this the meaning of Christmas? Then I look around and search for meaningful loving relationships between others and I don’t see it. In my own family I really feel for my mom because my brothers do not value even the relationship of the family unit. It’s impossible to get us together for a time a celebration. My brothers all live their own lives – self centered lives and the value of family and spending time together is not a priority. Everything else in their lives take precedent working, parties, hunting, races you name it. But relationships who needs them!
Yet Christmas is about relationships not about presents- not about what I get or even what I give.
I discovered a recent report done about a couple of surveys one in Japan and one in England about the true meaning of Christmas. This quote comes from Steve Shepherds sermon on Sermon Central called Christmas Concerns:
ILL.- A television interviewer was walking the streets of Tokyo at Christmas time. Much as in America, Christmas shopping is a big commercial success in Japan. The interviewer stopped one young woman on the sidewalk, and asked, "What is the meaning of Christmas?" Laughing, she responded, "I don’t know. Is that the day that Jesus died?"
There was some truth in her answer. The truth is that Christ is dead at Christmas for some people. Many people have only material concerns at Christmas. BUT NOT EVERYONE!
ILL.- A survey taken in England revealed some interesting concerns. Despite spending hours of time and hundreds of pounds (or dollars) on Christmas presents, most Britons would gladly give up their seasonal gifts in favor of more time with friends and family.
According to research published by advertising agency J. Walter Thompson on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2002, 74 percent of Britons say spending time with their loved ones is the most important thing about Christmas. (Not bad)
Taking time off work is the next most valued aspect followed by food and drink. Presents ranked only fourth while the religious significance of Christmas trailed in fifth.
Peter Cowie, JWT’s business development director said, "Unlike other holidays, where people might worry about what is happening in their absence, Christmas time is the only true quality time that many people have left."
JWT says the average Briton spends 400 pounds ($630) on Christmas gifts each year, gives up 15 hours looking for the perfect presents, and walks 20 miles to find them.
"It appears that much of this money and effort is wasted as the main thing that people want is more time," Cowie said.
What are your Christmas concerns? Shopping? People? Parties? Money? Gifts? Friends? Family? (Shepherd)
I wonder what would happen to the people of the U.S. if they could not celebrate Christmas for a while. Would the real meaning spring forth? Would they seek to see the light of the world at Christmas? Would they learn to value the treasure of relationships? A relationship with Jesus and with others?
Let me throw a thought at you this morning if Christmas was removed from your life for a few years could you be able to recite the meaning of Christmas – could you lead a Christmas service. Could you quote verses about Christmas? Could you point out all the lights at Christmas which point to the “Light of the World - Jesus!”
Illustration: FINALLY CHRISTMAS
Senator John McCain of Arizona was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict. He was shot down and held as a prisoner of war in Hanoi for 5 ½ years, 1967-1973, spending much of it in solitary confinement.John McCain said this, “When I was being mistreated by the North Vietnamese, many times I found myself asking to live just one more minute rather than one more hour or one more day. And I know I was able to hang on longer as a prisoner of war because of the spiritual help that I received through prayer.”“At Christmas, I was the room chaplain, not because of my excessive virtue, but because I knew all the prayers that went with a church service, since I had been in a boarding school and was an Episcopalian. We asked for a Bible, and the Vietnamese said they didn’t have any. Later we learned that thousands of Bibles had been sent to us.”“Four days before Christmas, I was told that I could copy prayers and stories from the only Bible the Vietnamese had available…Our service consisted of a biblical passage read by me, followed by an appropriate song by the choir. I talked about the birth of Christ and the choir sang, ‘Silent Night.’”“I looked around the room and there were tears in those men’s eyes. They weren’t tears of anger or fright or sorrow or bitterness or even longing for home. They were tears of joy that, for the first time in seven years for some of them there was a celebration of Christmas together as Americans.” SOURCE: Homiletics Magazine 14:6. Contributed by Fred Mueller, The Reformed Church of Locust Valley in "Hold On!" http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=53162
Illustration:
ALONE ON CHRISTMAS
George Mason’s life was centered in his business. He lived alone and refused all invitations to socialize. His brother’s family had urged him to visit but the children always made too much noise. Besides, he didn’t want to buy presents for his nephews and nieces. Instead he bought some good records for himself and planned to listen to them and enjoy himself at home alone.
On Christmas Eve after his employees left, George Mason went into the office vault to get a little extra cash. Soundlessly on newly oiled hinges, the great door swung shut behind him. Sudden darkness and the final click of the automatic lock startled him and he panicked. Desperately he pounded on the door, but before long he realized that no one would hear him. Everyone had gone home and he was in the office alone. Even the cleaning woman had gone. He recalled hearing of people suffocating in vaults. He was frightened out of his wits. Maybe he could make it through the night if he was quiet and breathed slowly. In the morning the employees would arrive, open the vault and he would be fine.
The he remembered that tomorrow was Christmas. The office was closed. Everyone would be at their homes. No work, no people, no luck! Rats! His heart pounded with fear and he wondered if he could get enough air to last two days. He calmed himself and tried to think. It was a new vault. It seems like the salesman said it has a safety feature of an air hole. He began feeling around in the darkness. All around and then up and down before he finally located a screened hole at the top. It was too small for a thief but large enough for air.
He sat on the cold floor of the vault and began his vigil of waiting for Christmas. Christmas Eve passed, Christmas Day passed. He had wanted to be alone for Christmas but not this way. He was extremely uncomfortable, hungry and thirsty. He needed to use the toilet. The air was getting damp and cold. It was awful. The darkness was so intense it was almost brushing his face.
The day after Christmas the chief cashier arrived and disengaged the automatic lock of the vault but did not open the door. Without anyone seeing him George Mason staggered out of the safe and made his way to the water cooler. He grabbed his coat and hailed a taxi and went home to his lonely residence. Later in the day he returned to the office. No one had missed him. As he pondered his experience he decided to make a sign and place it beside the safe door. It was for all to read but it was a reminder to him. The words were: "To love people, to be needed somewhere, that is the purpose of life. That is the secret of happiness."
Although George never married he had learned a valuable lesson about family and the need for one another.
SOURCE: from "The Man Who Missed Christmas" by J. Edgar Park.
Today I desire to help each of us to connect to Christmas in a way maybe we have not connected in the past. I want us to experience and see that there are many lights at Christmas that direct us to the great light of the world Jesus. And this Jesus desires to have a personal relationship with us so that we can find genuine love and care from Him. This relationship then should drive us to want to have personal relationships with others so that we can pass on the blessings of relationships filled with love and caring.
T.S.- To help us in relationship development lets discover the seven lights of Christmas that cry out to us to make sure we have a personal relationship with the one who was born on this day so that he could die and have fellowship with you.
I. The first light of Christmas is the Prophetic light of the Word of God.
a. This morning I am going to light some candles to symbolize these lights that point to the great light of the world.
i. The prophecy candle represents how long before Jesus was born, God’s special messengers announced that the Savior the Messiah was coming to the earth. These messengers were called prophets.
1. Our first Visual is the Bible the Great written word of God which proclaims His prophetic messages of the past.
2. Some of these prophets who proclaimed the coming Savior of the world where: Isaiah, Micah, Hosea, Jeremiah, Malachi, Daniel, Moses, and David.
ii. These men cried out to the people to be ready to embrace the one who would create a relationship between them and God. No longer would God be distant and isolated from them but he would open a relationship between his followers and himself. It would be a personal relationship and intimate relationship a meaningful-impact full relationship that would last forever.
iii. Isaiah stated, “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold , a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
1. Which means, “God with us!”
2. God dwells with us – he has a relationship with us-he talks to us- loves us - hugs us- cares for us- protects us. Yes, this baby born of the virgin will bring forth a relationship with God almighty that will be personal and intimate. It will make a difference in your life because He will be with you literally.
iv. See hand out on the Prophecies Concerning Jesus Christ!
1. Pass them out! ( This hand out covers only 34 of the prophecies of the coming Messiah, fulfilled by Jesus )
2. Example of two:
a. Isaiah 9:6, 7: 6For 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. 7Of the increase 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.
b. Psalm 45:6, 7: 6Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.7You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.
c. Fulfillment of the prophecies found in JC in the NT:
i. John 5:30: 30By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
ii. Revelation 19:11-16: 11I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
T.S.- We see the prophetic light of the Word shines on Jesus this season- it illuminates the birth of Jesus as a supernatural fulfillment of the prophetic words spoken by God’s messengers 100’s of years prior to His coming.
II. The second light of Christmas which points to the Light of the world is the Bethlehem light.
a. Here we have the nativity scene which represents Bethlehem.
i. Article from paper on the pastor and his wife who collect nativity scenes from all over the world.
1. The message of the nativity according to the article is this: “An Enduring symbol. Christ’s birth has been a powerful story through-out the ages. The Nativity is a three dimensional depiction of that timeless story and an enduring symbol of faith, hope, and love for Christians around the world. The Nativity also has developed into an international art form with a universal message that speaks to people of all faiths and cultures. It is a story of family, new beginnings, the miracle of life, and a spiritual presence” (Englert, 7).
2. The Beyeas say this about why the collect Nativity scenes “ Our faith means nothing, “Francis says, “If we’re not sharing it.”
a. They share their collection of the Nativity scenes to spread the Good News of Jesus birth.
b. Today as we light this candle, the “Bethlehem” candle. This candle reminds us that Jesus left the glory of His home Heaven to come to the earth to be born in Bethlehem.
i. He left his throne for a barn and He did this for you and me. Why? So that he could establish a relationship with us.
ii. Bethlehem was a tiny town out in the middle of nowhere just five miles southwest of Jerusalem in the hill country of Judea. God designed even the smallest details of the coming of Jesus his son. May we this Christmas ponder the thought and see the beacon of the light that was born in the manager in the barn so that we could have a relationship with the Almighty.
iii. The Inn Keepers Story:
1. They think I’m some kind of cruel, heartless landlord. Someone must have told them that. But they’re wrong, just plain wrong, and it’s time to set the record straight, once and for all. People say I’m an innkeeper. I suppose you’d call it an inn. To us it’s just a big house. My grandfather, Joshua ben-Yahoudi, built it back when his trading business was at a peak. And he built it big enough to fit all fourteen kids. Well, a few years ago, the missus and I were just rattling around in that big house--kids grown up and all--and we were thinking, maybe we could take in a few travelers. Rachel has always been mighty good in the kitchen, so we just let out word that we’d take people in, and they started to come. Every night we’d have a person or two, sometimes more. People would always come back when they came to town again, intent on another bowl of Rachel’s lamb stew. Then came that blankety-blank census the governor thought up. Taxation, pure and simple! People from all over the province flooded into town that week. Filled us clean up. Rachel and I slept in the main room where we always do, and we started putting guests in the other three rooms. They kept coming. Then we doubled up two or three families to a room. They kept coming. Finally, when we had filled the main room with four families plus Rachel and me, we started turning people away. I must have gotten in and out of bed ten times that night, stumbling over bodies to get to the door. "No more room, sorry folks. No more room. Come back in the morning. We have a couple of families leaving then." They’d mutter something and head back to their party, and sleep somewhere next to a house under the shelter of a blanket. I just couldn’t make any more room. That’s the honest truth. But I did make room for one more couple. Joseph was a burly man with big arms and strong hands, down from Nazareth, I think he said. He wouldn’t take "no" for an answer. I would say, "No, I’m sorry," and he’d tell me about his "little Mary." Well, when I saw "little Mary" she wasn’t very little. She was just about as pregnant as a woman can get, and awfully pale. While Joseph was pleading, I saw her grab her tummy in pain, and I knew I couldn’t let her have that baby outside in the wind and sleet. The barn. That would just have to do, I told myself, and led them and their donkey out back. Now it was pretty crowded, so I shooed several animals into the pen outside to make room in one dry corner. Joseph said, "We sure are grateful, sir." Then with a serious look, he asked me, "Do you know where I can find a midwife in these parts? We might need her tomorrow or the next day." That man didn’t know much about having babies, it was plain enough to see. I ran to Aunt Sarah’s house and pounded on the door until her husband came. "One of the travelers is having a baby," I told him. "I’ll wait while Aunt Sarah gets dressed." I stopped a moment to catch my breath. "And tell her to hurry." By the time we got back to the barn, Joseph had "little Mary" settled on some soft, clean hay, wrapped up in a blanket, wiping the perspiration off her brow, and was speaking softly to her as she fought the waves of pain. Aunt Sarah sent me to get my Rachel, and then pushed Joseph and me out of the barn. "This ain’t no place for men," she said. We waited just outside in the shelter of the barn for hours, it seemed like. Well, all of a sudden, we hear a little cry. "You’ve got a baby boy," Aunt Sarah was saying as we peeped around the corner. She hands the young-un to Rachel, and she wraps it up in those swaddling bands she had saved. Cute little thing, I tell you. Well, Joseph goes over to Mary and gives her a big hug, and a kiss on the cheek, and Rachel hands Mary the baby, and then comes over to me and takes my hand. "Remember when our Joshua was born?" she whispers. The lantern was blowing almost out, the cattle were lowing softly, and baby Jesus was asleep in his mother’s arms. That’s how I left them as I walked Aunt Sarah home. Chilly wind, though the sleet had stopped. By the time I got back, Rachel was in bed, and I was about ready to put out the light, step over sleeping bodies, and get under the warm covers, when I heard some murmuring out by the barn. I’d better check, I told myself. When I peeped in, I saw shepherds. Raggedy, smelly old shepherds were kneeling down on the filthy barn floor as if they were praying. The oldest one was saying something to Joseph about angels and the Messiah. And the rest of them just knelt there with their heads bowed, some with tears running down their faces. I coughed out loud, and Joseph looked up. I was almost ready to run those thieving shepherds off, when Joseph motioned to me with his hand. "It’s okay," he whispered. "They’ve come to see the Christ-baby." The Christ-baby? The Messiah? That was when I knelt, too. And watched, and prayed, and listened to the old shepherd recount his story of angels and heavenly glory, and the sign of a holy baby, wrapped in swaddling bands, to be found in a stable-manger. My Lord, it was my stable where the Christ-baby was born. My manger he rested in. My straw, my lamp, my wife Rachel assisting at his birth. The shepherds left after a while. Some of them leaned over and kissed the sleeping Christ-child before they departed. I know I did. I’ll always be glad I made room in the barn for that family-- that holy family. You see, I’m not some mean inn-keeper. I was there. I saw him. And, you know, years later that boy came back to Bethlehem, this time telling about the Kingdom of God. Oh, I believe in him, I tell you. I was there. And, mark my words, if you’d seen what I’ve seen, you’d be a believer, too. (by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson)
c. Prophecy of the birth of the Messiah
i. Micah 5:2 states: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
1. The fulfillment of this prophetic word by Jesus.
a. Luke 2:4-7: 4Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’”5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7So if you worship me, it will all be yours.”
b. John 7:40-43: 40On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” 41Others said, “He is the Christ.” Still others asked, “How can the Christ come from Galilee? 42Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” 43Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.”
T.S.- The candle of Bethlehem illuminates the fact that Jesus was the long prophesied Messiah that would come to deliver the people from their sin and establish a personal relationship with God Almighty.
III. The third beacon of light which points to the true light is the Shepherd’s light.
a. As I light this candle I want you to focus on the Shepherd’s staff symbolized by our giant candy cane.
i. The candy cane story:
1. The red stands for the blood of Christ sacrificed for you and me. The white color stands for how the blood makes us pure as white as snow. The cane is in the shape of a shepherds cane to say, “This is what the good shepherd gives you and me!
2. The Cane represents that Jesus is the Great Shepherd and if you turn it over it’s the first Initial of Jesus -J!
a. John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
b. This candle points to Jesus, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for his sheep. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus strives to keep his flock together forever. He strives to guide and to defend his flock from the clutches of the enemy. He also disciplines the wanders for their protection.
c. This candle also reminds us that we need to share the Good News like the Shepherds did after the appearance of the angels to them in the field.
i. The Bible states, “They made known the sayings which had been revealed to them in the night about this king who as born.”
ii. Quote by Alan Perkins on the Shepherds:
1. Let me tell you a bit about shepherds. They were the last people you’d expect God to take notice of. First of all, they were religious outcasts. According to Jewish religious law, these men were unclean. Their line of work prevented them from participating in the feasts and holy days that made up the Jewish religious calendar. Why? Well, somebody had to watch the sheep. When everyone else was making the trip to Jerusalem to make sacrifices at the temple, or to participate in one of the annual feasts, they were out in the fields, watching over the sheep. A modern day example might be a trucker or a shift worker, whose job keeps them from regularly attending church. It wasn’t really their fault. But they were looked down on, from a religious point of view. Whatever might have been in their hearts, they weren’t able to participate fully in the religious life of the community. Not only that, but shepherds were borderline social outcasts. Since they were constantly on the move to find new pasture for their flocks, they were looked on with suspicion. Kind of the way people today might look at gypsies, or carnival workers. They were often accused of being thieves. If something came up missing – it must have been those shepherds. They were not permitted to give testimony in a legal proceeding, because their word wasn’t considered trustworthy. And on top of all that, they really didn’t have much contact with other people. Most of the time, they were “living out in the fields” (v. 8). This was not a 40-hour a week job. They didn’t come home at night. They were with the sheep 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During the day, they led the sheep to grass and water. They watched while the sheep grazed. They kept an eye out for predators like wolves. And at night, they actually slept in the sheep pen with the sheep to guard against theft and animal attack. A good shepherd could identify each one of his sheep by sight. He knew his sheep and they knew him.
“The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” – John 10:2-4 (NIV) (Sermon Central –Shepherds- Alan Perkins)
d. Prophecy text:
i. Isaiah 9:6: 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.
1. Fulfillment of by Jesus: Luke 2:8-20: 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
T.S.- The light of the Shepherd points us once again to the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep so they might live- It’s of course Jesus!
IV. The fourth beacon of light which points to the Messiah is the Angels light.
a. This candle points to God’s helpers his angels. Visual angel from the top of the tree!
i. Angels are the messengers of God designed for the purpose to proclaim the messages of the Lord.
ii. Angels spoke to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds about the Birth of Jesus.
iii. They also ministered to Jesus in the wilderness and in the garden.
iv. They rolled the stone away from the empty tomb and were with Jesus at the Ascension back to Heaven.
v. Angels are still at work, according to the Bible, assisting , protecting and delivering God’s people.
b. Texts: Angels text
i. Isaiah7:14: 14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
1. Fulfillment:
a. Luke 1:26-31: 26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
b. Matthew 1:18-23: 18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.20But 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. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”
T.S.- The angel light delivers the message to this world that Jesus is God in the flesh the one who came down to deliver His people and to create a personal relationship with His people.
V. The fifth beacon of light which points to Jesus as the way the truth and the life is the Christmas tree.
a. The candle we light by this tree symbolizes the cross.
i. When you look at your Christmas tree think about this Scripture found in Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Then verse 14 states, “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”
ii. That promise is eternal life. When you look at the star on top of the tree think upon the star that the wise men saw that lead them to the messiah king. When you look at the ornaments think about where most of them came from the lives that gave them and the sentimental meaning behind all the lives reflected in the ornaments.
1. You can see Christ in the Christmas lights on the tree.
a. Remember what Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12).
b. When you look at the lights on the trees or the lights on the houses – think about Jesus the light of the world and thank the Lord for sending Him.
iii. History of the tree by Jeff Strite –Sermon Central
1. The Christmas tree tradition was started in Germany in the late 15th century. At that time a popular play depicted the expulsion of Adam Eve from Eden, by a fir tree hung with apples. Soon trees were placed in the homes of Christians who interpreted it as a symbol of the coming Savior. The apples were replaced with small white wafers to represent Communion. Later, the wafers were replaced by small pieces of pastry cut into shapes of stars, angels, hearts, flowers, and bells.
T.S.- The Christmas tree light illuminates the fact that Jesus was born to die on a cross – a tree – for each one of us so we could be set free.
VI. The sixth beacon of light which points to Jesus as the everlasting father is the Poinsettia’s.
a. I light this candle by these plants to remind us of the meaning of this plant.
i. It was interesting while we where in India I actually saw a poinsettia tree.
ii. Story of the poinsettia:
1. A legend tells the story of the Poinsettia.
The legend tells us that the parishioners at a church in Mexico brought great quantities of flowers to the altar each Christmas. One day, while hundreds of people carried flowers to the cathedral, a little girl cried because she had no flowers to give. A priest found her and asked the reason for her tears, “I have no flowers to give to Jesus” she cried. The priest told her to pick a weed which grew near the roadside. The little girl wondered why the priest should tell her to pick a weed, but she did as she was told. When she placed the weed on the altar, the large green leaves glowed with a soft red light, and was the most beautiful flower presented. Since that time, the legend says, the poinsettia plant has been the special flower of Christmas.” Charles L. Wallis
T.S.- The light of the Poinsettia shines forth the truth that God loves us and He embraces our gifts to him that come from the heart even if we or others think they are worthless.
VII. The seventh beacon of light which points to Jesus as the mighty God is the Christmas wreath.
a. I light this candle to symbolize and to remind us that this wreath is a symbol of victory.
i. You can see Christ in the Christmas wreaths adorning the doors of many homes. The wreath stands for victory. The victory of Christ defeating the enemy and giving us New Life.
ii. I Cor. 15:54b-57“…Death has been swallowed up in victory. ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
iii. It is also the symbol of the unbroken ring of God’s love for His people.
T.S.- The wreath’s beam of light focus on the fact that Jesus defeated death and gave us the victory over death. His life and death took away the sting of death and it gave us eternal life if we embrace it.
Conclusion:
All of these beacons of light point to the one Great light of the World- Jesus!
* We light this last and largest candle to symbolize that Jesus is the reason for the season.
* We celebrate the birthday of this baby Jesus because his life and death gave us the greatest gift of all life.
# John 3:16: 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
* Christ has earned the right to be the center of all things this Christmas season
* He is the one who wants to establish a personal relationship with you this Christmas. He wants to impact your life so that this Christmas season lights up in your life like never before.
Altar Call: The Question I want to ask you this morning is this one. Do you want a personal intimate relationship with Jesus this year at Christmas?
Pause!
If the answer is yes – Then stand with me and lets pray for a new relationship or even a renewed relationship with the Light of the World!
