The Light That Leads Us Home - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Series

THE LIGHT THAT LEADS US HOME

December 24, 2025

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

I. The Warm Glow We All Long For

There’s something about Christmas Eve that feels different from any other night of the year. Even as adults, we feel something stirring—something quiet, something gentle. The lights seem a little softer. The memories sit a little closer. The world slows down just enough for us to feel the ache and the beauty of this season.

When I was growing up, I remember driving home late on winter nights with my mom. The air was cold, the roads were quiet, and we’d pull into the driveway to see that warm porch light glowing. It didn’t matter how tired or worn out the day had been—that light meant we were home. It meant safety. It meant belonging. It meant we were expected and wanted.

And tonight, as we gather here on Christmas Eve, I am reminded that God did something very similar for humanity. On the first Christmas, God placed a Light in the window of the world—a light that still shines for anyone willing to follow it.

II. A Light in the Darkness

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. (Isaiah 9:2)

Darkness is not just the absence of light; biblically, it’s the absence of hope. The world Jesus stepped into was marked by silence, oppression, longing, and a deep spiritual ache. For 400 years, God had been silent. No prophets. No new Scriptures. No fresh revelation.

But silence is not abandonment. In the fullness of time, in the stillness of a Bethlehem night, God flipped on the porch light of heaven and stepped into our world.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4–5)

That’s Christmas. God breaking through the silence with the light of His love.

III. When God Left the Light On

I once heard a story about a family whose son left home at 18 after a heated argument. He stayed away for years—out of anger, shame, embarrassment, fear—no one knew. The parents didn’t hear from him, didn’t know if he was safe, didn’t know where he was. But every single night, without fail, his mom turned on the front porch light and said, “If he ever comes home, I want him to see the way back.”

Years later—long after she thought he might never return—she heard the front door knob turning. There he stood, older, thinner, weathered by life. When she asked, “How did you know tonight was the night to come home?” He answered, “I saw the light. I knew you still wanted me.”

That is Christmas.

God has left the Light on.

Not because we deserved it.

Not because we were good.

But Because He loves us and He knew we couldn’t find our way home on our own.

IV. A Child Brings Us Home

The miracle of Christmas is that God didn’t come with fanfare. He didn’t come surrounded by armies. He didn’t come with power or intimidation. He came as a child—fragile, small, dependent, humble. Why? Because a child invites us close.

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. (John 1:14)

The literal meaning is: God made His home with us. He got low so He could lift us up. That night, the Light of the world didn’t appear in a palace window but in a manger—so every kind of person, from shepherds to sages, could draw near.

V. Home Is More Than a Place

Some of us tonight are home in every earthly sense—surrounded by family, full of memories, rich with traditions. Others are carrying quiet losses—an empty seat at the table, a story that ended too soon, a relationship that still hasn’t healed. Some are feeling the weight of life, the sting of regret, the ache of loneliness.

The message of Christmas is this: Home is not a location—it’s a Person. Home is Jesus - where grace doesn’t remind you of what you were, but tells you who you can become.

You may have traveled far this year—emotionally, spiritually, even morally. But Jesus has left the Light on for you. The same grace that reached into Bethlehem reaches into your heart tonight.

VI. Following the Light

When the shepherds saw the angel that night, they said to each other, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” (Luke 2:15) They followed the light of revelation

When the wise men saw the star, Scripture says: “They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” (Matthew 2:10) They followed the light of guidance.