Christmas Eve Service

SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS EVE 2008

The Lights of Christmas

I CHRISTMAS SHOULD “DELIGHT” US

Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed

Luke 1:44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

A The KJV translates Matt 2:10 as “exceedingly great joy”

B The wisemen who followed this star were overjoyed because they finally reached the end of their journey. They had found who they were looking for. John responded to the presence of the Savior – even while in the womb. The Shepherds praise God and were joyful because they had been some of the first to see the Savior.

C The word joy/overjoyed can be applied in two contexts

1 The joy which the world offers

a Worldly joy always has a sense of incompleteness – it is fleeting

b An area unfulfilled

c Something missing

d A lack of enduring satisfaction

e Worldly joy is always aware of its circumstances and that it is affected when circumstances change.

2 Spiritual joy

a This is a quality possessed by God Himself

b This is a quality given BY God himself

c A joy not dependent on circumstances.

d A joy related to some intervention by God

The joy of the world is in reality only happiness. Happiness is dependent on happenings. Biblical joy is not based on happenings, but on our relationship with God Himself!

II CHRISTMAS WILL “ENLIGHTED” US

John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

A You and I need to understand that there was only one reason for the birth of Christ

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

1 Abundant life is accomplished in our Salvation

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

1 Timothy 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.

2 Abundant life is matured in our sanctification

Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

III CHRISTMAS CAN “COUNTERLIGHT” US

Galatians 4:1-7 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. 4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

A Counter lighting is a form of lighting whereby what is illuminated is illuminated from a point directly opposite from the object illuminated.

B Paul tells us here in Galatians that we were nothing more than children, subject to the law

C In Romans, Paul tells us that we were only slaves forced to follow our master

D Christmas has the opportunity to show you a new alternative to the path you have chosen. We can never start over, but we can end different!~

Will you let Christmas “crosslight” you?

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.