Sermon Snippet – Christmas: A Season of Light
INTRODUCTION – From God’s Word, we have found that Christmas is a season of prayer, of family, and of song. Today on one of the shortest and darkest days of the year, we find that Christmas is a season of light.
1. THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS SHINES FROM THE BEGINNING
Genesis 1:1-3 records the creation of the universe, including light: “And God said, ‘Let there be light: and there was light’” (verse 3). Light is energy; thus, God energized the entire cosmos and, in so doing, revealed that He is blessedly and constructively energetic. Light is also attractive, both aesthetically and literally. God is leaving the light on for each one of us! Figuratively, light is a revelation of the essential character of our God: “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (I John 1:5). He is good all of the time.
2. THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS SHINES THROUGH PROPHECY
Isaiah 9:1-2 predicts “a great light” that would blaze forth from “Galilee” to all people (“the people that walked in darkness”). This detailed foretelling is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, God the Son (Luke 1:79). Numbers 24:17 is likewise a specific prophecy, speaking of a “Star” and “Sceptre” that would arise in the land of Israel. Matthew 2:1-2 records the coming of the wisemen in response to “His star.” These magi were Gentiles (non-Jewish people), indicating that God was indeed reaching out to everyone, and He continues to do so today. Verse 10 tells us that “when they saw the star; they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” May we join with them in the wonder of fulfilled prophecy and in the glory of God’s “great light.”
3. THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS SHINES IN THE SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST
John 1:1-5 is a rich theological passage about Jesus. He is “the light of men,” providing revelation, drawing us (John 6:44), and standing in startling contrast to the “darkness” of this world. “The darkness comprehendeth it not” (verse 5); that is, the darkness did not, could not, overcome the Light, Jesus Christ. Twice in the Gospel of John, Jesus proclaims, “I am the light of the world” (8:12; 9:5); He also refers to Himself simply as “the light” (12:35-36 – in verse 36, the original Greek text has “the” before the first use of “light”). Truly, He is light in our darkness.
CONCLUSION – Last week, we closed with Psalm 118, which Jesus sang hours before His death on the Cross. Verse 27 combines the imagery of light and of sacrifice: “God is the LORD, [Who] hath showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.” This unusual coupling reminds us that for three hours utter darkness descended upon Calvary as Jesus died for us. However, that darkness did not overcome the Light of the World. He sacrificed Himself for us, to pay the full penalty of our sins, and He rose from the dead the third day in a most extraordinary display of life and light. Let us love the light of our Lord, and let us “walk in the light, as He is in the light” (I John 1:7).