WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.940 Well, good evening and Merry Christmas. 00:00:06.940 --> 00:00:13.900 It's a joy to gather this evening as we reflect back on that first Christmas night. 00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:18.859 We read the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke, and Luke gives some of the details 00:00:18.859 --> 00:00:25.379 about Jesus' birth, where it happened, when it happened, how it was announced to the group 00:00:25.379 --> 00:00:29.579 of shepherds watching over their sheep in the fields outside Bethlehem. 00:00:30.660 --> 00:00:34.079 But I want to turn our attention to one verse from the Gospel of John. 00:00:34.140 --> 00:00:38.460 The Gospel of John doesn't actually give any of the details of Jesus' birth, but it begins 00:00:38.460 --> 00:00:43.280 by reflecting on the meaning of Jesus coming into the world. 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:48.039 And the verse I want to focus on is John chapter 1, verse 5, and it says this, 00:00:48.039 --> 00:01:09.539 You know, probably all of us could talk about darkness that we see around us in the world, 00:01:09.539 --> 00:01:14.120 whether it's the physical darkness of this time of year, the shorter days and longer nights, 00:01:14.120 --> 00:01:18.980 and how that affects us psychologically, the relational isolation we might have experienced 00:01:18.980 --> 00:01:23.880 this year, perhaps not being able to see or freely interact with some of those we love, 00:01:24.719 --> 00:01:29.780 the circumstances that may have disappointed us this year, the divisions and distrust we've 00:01:29.780 --> 00:01:30.820 seen in our society. 00:01:31.020 --> 00:01:35.860 I think it's easy to sort of identify some of those things around us. 00:01:36.800 --> 00:01:42.820 But I think, if I'm honest with myself at least, this past year hasn't just shown me the darkness 00:01:42.819 --> 00:01:45.439 of the world around me. 00:01:46.579 --> 00:01:49.459 I think it's also shown some of the darkness within me. 00:01:50.219 --> 00:01:52.119 Perhaps that's true for you as well. 00:01:52.239 --> 00:01:57.399 Maybe, I feel like this year, the pressures around us have squeezed us like a tube of toothpaste, 00:01:57.739 --> 00:02:00.979 and what has come out of us hasn't always been the prettiest. 00:02:02.159 --> 00:02:07.319 Whether it's anxiety and fear that have gripped us, or irritability and anger that have spilled 00:02:07.319 --> 00:02:13.400 out of us, or addictions, or unhealthy coping patterns that we've indulged, or despair and 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:15.900 numbness that we've fallen into at times. 00:02:16.519 --> 00:02:23.719 Let me just say, if you have seen the darkness within you in one of those ways or some other 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:25.819 way this year, you're not crazy. 00:02:26.579 --> 00:02:27.500 You're not unusual. 00:02:28.219 --> 00:02:30.900 You're just a human being, just like the rest of us. 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:37.980 But here's the question, what can we turn to in the midst of the darkness in the world 00:02:37.980 --> 00:02:42.200 around us, and the darkness that we sometimes see inside us? 00:02:42.819 --> 00:02:47.840 The Gospel of John talks about a light that shines in the darkness. 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:53.259 And you might ask, well, what is that light that John is talking about? 00:02:54.480 --> 00:02:59.340 Well, the Gospel of John is part of the whole Bible. 00:02:59.340 --> 00:03:05.180 And if you read through the Bible, starting from the beginning, you will see this same 00:03:05.180 --> 00:03:07.319 pattern happening over and over. 00:03:07.599 --> 00:03:13.939 And the pattern is the light of God's Word shining into the darkness of this world. 00:03:14.860 --> 00:03:19.020 You can see it right in the beginning, in the first chapter of the Bible, Genesis 1, 00:03:19.240 --> 00:03:20.960 the creation story. 00:03:21.400 --> 00:03:27.680 It starts with saying that the earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the face of 00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:28.020 the deep. 00:03:28.020 --> 00:03:31.040 It's a picture of emptiness and chaos. 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:36.120 And the first thing God says is, let there be light. 00:03:37.260 --> 00:03:39.860 And it says, and God saw that the light was good. 00:03:39.900 --> 00:03:45.180 And we know that John was actually thinking specifically about the creation story, echoing 00:03:45.180 --> 00:03:50.920 it, because the first word in John's Gospel, in the beginning, the first phrase is the same 00:03:50.920 --> 00:03:52.600 phrase that begins the book of Genesis. 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:58.699 And John says in chapter 1, verse 3, through him, through the Word of God himself, all things 00:03:58.699 --> 00:03:59.180 were made. 00:03:59.560 --> 00:04:05.019 So John is thinking all the way back to the creation story, and the picture of the beginning 00:04:05.019 --> 00:04:08.780 of everything, and God bringing things into being, and bringing light. 00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:13.099 But you know, we don't just see that pattern in the creation story. 00:04:13.580 --> 00:04:16.639 It continues throughout the Old Testament, throughout the Hebrew Bible. 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:23.199 The Old Testament is full of stories of people who lived in dark times, and even whose hearts 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:28.259 were full of darkness, fear, unbelief, rage, selfishness, lies. 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:35.180 But over and over, we see the light of God's Word shining into the darkness of this world. 00:04:36.219 --> 00:04:38.360 You know, you might think about the story of Abraham. 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:43.680 Abraham's one of the first major characters you'll encounter if you read the Bible. 00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:46.159 And when you meet Abraham, he's an old man. 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:47.480 He's 75 years old. 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:50.980 And he and his wife Sarah were childless. 00:04:51.519 --> 00:04:55.639 And in those days, to be childless meant that you would have no legacy. 00:04:55.639 --> 00:05:02.060 There would be no one to remember you, no one to carry on the family name, no one to 00:05:02.060 --> 00:05:04.740 hold you in honor in future generations. 00:05:05.379 --> 00:05:07.379 You would die, and you would be forgotten. 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:12.939 And God came to Abraham one night, and God said, don't fear Abraham. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:14.579 I'm your shield. 00:05:14.680 --> 00:05:15.839 Your reward will be very great. 00:05:15.919 --> 00:05:19.939 And Abraham was having an honest moment with God, and Abraham said, but God, what will you 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:20.479 give me? 00:05:21.099 --> 00:05:21.979 I'm old. 00:05:22.060 --> 00:05:23.360 I don't have any kids. 00:05:23.620 --> 00:05:24.919 I'm done. 00:05:25.639 --> 00:05:30.339 I've got a few more years, and then my name's going to go out of existence. 00:05:32.479 --> 00:05:36.639 Everything I have is going to pass on to somebody else who isn't really even related to me. 00:05:38.159 --> 00:05:45.219 And God took him outside in the dark night, and God said, look up into the sky. 00:05:45.719 --> 00:05:47.800 Look toward heaven and number the stars. 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:49.159 If you're able to. 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:52.980 That's, so shall your offspring be. 00:05:54.640 --> 00:05:59.020 I mean, Abraham could never have imagined that we would be sitting here tonight telling 00:05:59.020 --> 00:05:59.620 his story. 00:05:59.740 --> 00:06:04.160 That billions of people throughout the world would look to him as their father in faith. 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:08.960 You know, you can only see the stars when it's really dark. 00:06:09.340 --> 00:06:13.820 When the sun has gone down, and when you don't have electric lights blinding you by shining 00:06:13.820 --> 00:06:14.640 right on your face. 00:06:15.160 --> 00:06:21.080 And in the same way, Abraham could only see the pure light of God's promises when other 00:06:21.080 --> 00:06:24.280 humanly initiated hopes in his life had faded. 00:06:24.279 --> 00:06:30.259 So that's one story of the light of God's word shining in the darkness of this world with 00:06:30.259 --> 00:06:30.619 Abraham. 00:06:30.819 --> 00:06:34.899 But if you keep reading in the Old Testament, in the middle of the Old Testament, you'll 00:06:34.899 --> 00:06:36.459 meet a woman named Hannah. 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:42.119 And Hannah lived in one of the darkest times of Israel's history, the time of the judges. 00:06:42.799 --> 00:06:45.859 And it was a time of corruption and chaos. 00:06:46.459 --> 00:06:47.779 Families were breaking apart. 00:06:47.899 --> 00:06:50.919 There were violent gangs preying on unsuspecting people. 00:06:50.920 --> 00:06:53.580 The entire nation was on the brink of civil war. 00:06:54.660 --> 00:06:59.660 And Hannah went to the temple one day to pray, and the priest, Eli, went over to her 00:06:59.660 --> 00:07:00.840 and thought she was drunk. 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:03.160 I mean, that's how bad things had gotten. 00:07:05.720 --> 00:07:06.860 1 Samuel 3 says, 00:07:06.960 --> 00:07:09.100 The word of the Lord was rare in those days. 00:07:09.200 --> 00:07:10.660 There was no frequent vision. 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:14.960 The priest, Eli's eyesight, had begun to grow dim so that he could not see. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:18.100 It's all imagery of sort of growing spiritual darkness. 00:07:18.100 --> 00:07:25.220 But once again, if you read the story of Hannah, the light of God's word shone into the darkness. 00:07:25.760 --> 00:07:30.900 And God heard Hannah's prayer, and God granted her a son who was the prophet Samuel. 00:07:31.420 --> 00:07:35.720 And late at night, again, late at night when Samuel lay down to sleep, God called out to 00:07:35.720 --> 00:07:39.240 him and spoke to him and gave him a word to proclaim to the people. 00:07:39.520 --> 00:07:42.480 And through Samuel, God raised up the greatest king of Israel, King David. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:51.520 And then if you go on, toward the end of the Old Testament, the people of Israel were again 00:07:51.520 --> 00:07:56.879 facing the darkness because the monarchy had deteriorated, and they were facing the darkness 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:58.020 of impending exile. 00:07:58.680 --> 00:08:01.879 The nation was falling apart because of their idolatry and their injustice. 00:08:02.280 --> 00:08:05.460 They were trying to fix things up in all the wrong ways, and it wasn't going to work. 00:08:05.459 --> 00:08:10.359 But through the prophet Isaiah, the light of God's word shone into the darkness of the 00:08:10.359 --> 00:08:11.180 world once again. 00:08:13.039 --> 00:08:17.039 Isaiah looked beyond the impending exile to a time when things would be restored. 00:08:17.419 --> 00:08:21.699 And he said, there will be no more gloom for the one who was in anguish. 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:25.120 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:30.000 Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them the light has shined. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:34.539 And he goes on to say, for to us, a child is born. 00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:38.279 To us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, and his name shall 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:39.899 be called Wonderful Counselor. 00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:45.320 Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:49.980 You see, throughout the Old Testament, we see the same pattern over and over. 00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:53.340 The light of God's word shining into the darkness of this world. 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:58.019 And for Abraham, and for Hannah, and for Isaiah, God's word would be carried out. 00:08:58.019 --> 00:09:02.639 God's light would spread through the birth of a promised child. 00:09:04.240 --> 00:09:09.759 And so when John begins his gospel with these words, the light shines in the darkness. 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:13.259 And the darkness hasn't overcome it. 00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:17.980 He's building on that pattern established in the Old Testament. 00:09:18.100 --> 00:09:21.039 And he's proclaiming that the fulfillment of the pattern has arrived. 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:22.659 It's like the climax of a symphony. 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:28.939 He says, the true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:33.699 The word, like capital W, became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:36.500 And we have seen his glory. 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:43.219 You see, all the glimmers of light that's shown on Abraham and on Hannah and on Isaiah in their day, 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:50.639 all the little words of hope and promise that they heard from heaven had now come to their fruition and their fulfillment in the coming of Jesus. 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:57.180 Because in Jesus, something had happened that had never happened before in the history of the world. 00:09:57.940 --> 00:10:00.860 God himself had come on the scene. 00:10:01.540 --> 00:10:06.840 God himself had stepped into the world in the flesh of Jesus Christ, his son. 00:10:06.840 --> 00:10:36.820 God himself had come on the way. 00:10:36.840 --> 00:11:06.820 God himself had come on the way. 00:11:07.060 --> 00:11:14.460 We don't want the darkness of evil and death to simply triumph and wipe out all existence forever. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:16.420 We feel that desire. 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:22.399 But, you know, John is talking about something more than human beings reaching out for transcendence. 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:29.180 John is saying that the transcendent God has actually taken hold of humanity. 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:35.759 John is saying that the light of God's word has come into the darkness of this world in person. 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:41.120 And he's not just talking about an abstract principle or an undefined energy pervading the universe. 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:42.779 He's not just expressing a wish. 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:43.759 Right? 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:44.720 Many of us have a wish. 00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:47.080 Hopefully 2021 will be better than 2020. 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:48.279 Right? 00:11:49.399 --> 00:11:51.100 I certainly hope that's the case. 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:53.340 We'll all feel better if it is. 00:11:53.340 --> 00:12:00.279 But when John talks about the eternal word of God taking on mortal human flesh, 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:06.419 he's not just talking about a wish that circumstances will improve. 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:12.799 He's saying that something has happened that has never happened before. 00:12:13.559 --> 00:12:16.959 He's talking about God himself becoming a real person. 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:24.259 A real human being who walked on the earth who people could hear and talk to and touch and see. 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:27.199 A person who we can know and be known by. 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:30.039 Who is the word of God incarnate, Jesus. 00:12:30.279 --> 00:12:38.019 You see, according to the Bible, God didn't just visit this world in a metaphorical sense. 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:44.879 Or as we might say today, God did not just have a virtual visit with us. 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:50.339 While really sitting up in heaven and keeping a safe distance. 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:51.539 Right? 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:56.600 The Son of God came into this dark and broken world in person, in flesh, and in blood. 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:58.820 He took hold of all that is ours. 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:03.180 So that now and forever we could enjoy and be connected to all that is his. 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:09.000 You know, I think almost all of us have become more adept at doing things virtually this year. 00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:09.899 Right? 00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:11.740 And virtual technology, let me just be clear. 00:13:11.820 --> 00:13:13.460 Virtual technology can be a great blessing. 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:18.560 It's a resource that was not available to anyone else in the history of the world that was dealing with the pandemic. 00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:25.599 That option, it allows us to stay connected in some meaningful ways, even when we're not physically together. 00:13:26.239 --> 00:13:29.319 So we should make use of that for all the good that it can give us. 00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:39.459 But for all the blessings of virtual technology, we all know that some kinds of human connection can only happen fully in person. 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:53.000 And so all the letters and all the cards and all the phone calls and all the video chats only increase our longing to see the people we love in person, face to face, without inhibitions. 00:13:53.940 --> 00:13:59.019 And in some ways, that's a little bit of the situation that God's people were in throughout the Old Testament. 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:02.580 Glimpsing the true light from afar. 00:14:03.460 --> 00:14:07.360 Hearing from a distance the word of God. 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:17.039 Longing for the day when that word, when the God who is speaking to them would appear among them in person. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:19.720 And John says that day came. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:22.519 That day has come when Jesus came into the world. 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:24.779 He came into the world in person. 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:27.139 The light of God's word shone into the darkness. 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:33.240 And Jesus would later say, I am the light of the world. 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:38.740 Whoever follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life in them. 00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:45.560 You see, the darkness, all the darkness of this world, and all the darkness in human hearts, 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:50.000 has not and will not overcome the light of God's word. 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:52.139 And that is a statement of triumph. 00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:56.940 All the darkness of the world and its systems, all the darkness in human hearts, 00:14:56.940 --> 00:15:03.280 cannot extinguish or suppress or take control of the light that shines in Jesus Christ. 00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:11.380 You know, if you read on in the Gospels, beyond the first chapters of them, 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:13.840 the story continues. 00:15:14.380 --> 00:15:16.600 The stories all begin with Jesus coming into the world, 00:15:16.680 --> 00:15:21.460 and they all go on to tell of Jesus teaching and healing and liberating and reconciling power 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:22.720 during his earthly ministry. 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:26.080 But then they all tell of a day when the darkness seemed to triumph, 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:29.180 when the Son of God was nailed to a cross, 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:36.000 when the powers of evil and death seemed to triumph once and for all. 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:39.660 But then all the Gospels tell 00:15:39.660 --> 00:15:43.879 that contrary to all of his followers' expectations, 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:47.540 three days later Jesus came back to life again. 00:15:47.539 --> 00:15:51.599 His followers went to visit the tomb where he was laid, 00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:52.799 and they found it empty. 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:55.860 And they couldn't figure out what had happened. 00:15:57.099 --> 00:15:59.599 They thought someone had taken away his body. 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:03.959 And then to their great surprise and shock and disbelief, 00:16:04.219 --> 00:16:08.199 they encountered the living, risen Lord Jesus physically. 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:12.559 And even though many of them doubted it 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:14.719 and couldn't believe it at first, 00:16:14.719 --> 00:16:15.659 they were convinced. 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:21.379 And they proclaimed this message. 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:26.740 The light has shined into the darkness, 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:29.000 and the darkness could not overcome it. 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:33.699 Now, Jesus isn't here physically anymore, of course, 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:36.159 but before he ascended back into heaven, 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:39.980 he promised to send his life-giving spirit, 00:16:40.599 --> 00:16:42.879 his very own presence, 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:45.559 to shine in everyone who trusts in him. 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:47.659 And he promised to one day return 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:50.039 so that we would all see him face to face in glory. 00:16:51.119 --> 00:16:53.779 That's the story of the Christian Gospel in a nutshell. 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.759 In the person of Jesus Christ, 00:16:56.859 --> 00:16:58.579 the light of God's word has shone 00:16:58.579 --> 00:17:00.599 into the darkness of this world, 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:02.739 and the darkness has not overcome it. 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:07.500 Now, what do we do with that message? 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:11.460 Let me close by giving a couple of challenges 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:13.240 and a couple of invitations. 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:15.680 First, let me speak to you. 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:17.500 If you're not a follower of Jesus, 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:20.519 maybe you're here for the first time tonight, 00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:22.119 or just listening in, 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:25.019 let me challenge you. 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:28.640 What kind of light are you clinging to 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:30.599 in the midst of this dark world? 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:34.719 You know, I think it's easier to point out 00:17:34.719 --> 00:17:36.639 the darkness around us, 00:17:36.959 --> 00:17:38.139 in our circumstances, 00:17:38.399 --> 00:17:39.240 or in our society. 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:42.339 It takes a little more courage and humility 00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:44.939 to look inside and recognize the darkness 00:17:44.939 --> 00:17:46.019 within each of us. 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:48.659 But what kind of light, 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:51.480 what kind of hope are you holding onto this winter? 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:54.880 You know, when we really face 00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:56.120 the darkness of this world 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:57.360 and the darkness in our hearts, 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:59.380 we need something much more 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:00.980 than a mere wish 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:03.640 that hopefully next year will be a little better. 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.299 So let me challenge you. 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:08.620 What is the light or hope 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.920 that you are clinging to? 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:11.960 But let me also invite you 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:13.880 to consider the Christian story. 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:16.200 You know, you can read through 00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:18.319 one of the New Testament gospels for yourself. 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.940 If you don't have a Bible, 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:22.740 we have plenty of extras here. 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:26.259 Just ask me or any of us here. 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.700 We'd be glad to get you one. 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.779 If you'd like to read it for yourself, 00:18:29.840 --> 00:18:30.640 you can read it online. 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.700 Or you can go to our website. 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:33.740 There's a section called 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.820 How Can I Know God? 00:18:34.860 --> 00:18:37.380 There's links to talks you can listen to 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:38.559 and things you can read, 00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:40.960 things that will help you explore these questions 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:43.080 thoughtfully and intentionally. 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.620 Or talk to somebody. 00:18:45.620 --> 00:18:48.019 Talk to somebody who invited you 00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:49.340 or who's with you here. 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:53.059 But second, let me also give a challenge 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:54.519 and an invitation to those of us 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:58.600 who do claim to be followers of Jesus, 00:18:58.860 --> 00:19:01.600 who have identified with him. 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:04.460 Here's the challenge, 00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:06.900 a question for us to think about. 00:19:07.320 --> 00:19:10.580 Where have you seen the light of Christ 00:19:10.580 --> 00:19:13.880 shining into the darkness of this past year? 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:16.920 You know, I think it's easy to look back on this year 00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:19.980 and just focus on the disappointments 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:21.560 and the negative aspects 00:19:21.560 --> 00:19:23.340 and the hurts and the challenges. 00:19:24.280 --> 00:19:25.100 But John says, 00:19:25.300 --> 00:19:29.420 the darkness has not overcome the light of Christ. 00:19:29.620 --> 00:19:31.140 And that was true back then 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:33.720 in Jesus' life and death and resurrection. 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:35.900 And that is still true today 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:38.660 in the life of anyone who is looking to him. 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:41.420 We have a reason to rejoice 00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:44.500 because the darkness of this world 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:46.460 has not and will not overcome 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:48.060 the light of Christ himself. 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:50.840 So perhaps over the next week, 00:19:51.540 --> 00:19:53.180 as the year comes to a close, 00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:54.980 look back and ask this question, 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:57.460 where have I seen the light of Christ shining 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:59.640 in the midst of this year? 00:19:59.640 --> 00:20:02.720 But finally, an invitation 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:06.420 to those of us who believe in Christ. 00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:09.040 Let the light of Christ's presence 00:20:09.040 --> 00:20:12.500 dwell in you and shine through you. 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:14.200 In a minute or two, 00:20:14.280 --> 00:20:16.100 we're going to continue a tradition 00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:18.480 that we've had for the last few years at Trinity 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:20.960 and that Christians throughout the world 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:25.020 have done to look back on the birth of Christ 00:20:25.020 --> 00:20:26.180 and celebrate it together. 00:20:26.580 --> 00:20:27.620 We're going to light candles 00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:29.839 as we sing Silent Night. 00:20:30.959 --> 00:20:31.959 And as we light the candles, 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:33.739 as we hold them and sing, 00:20:34.659 --> 00:20:36.319 and as we remember 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:38.319 how the light of Christ has come to us, 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:40.359 let's pray that his light would shine 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:42.959 through us into this world. 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.459 Let's pray. 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.939 God, we thank you 00:20:49.939 --> 00:20:53.059 that you have not left us alone 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:55.279 to fend for ourselves 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:58.200 in the darkness of this world 00:20:58.200 --> 00:21:01.799 and even in the darkness of our own souls. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:05.160 Thank you that you have not left us 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:07.779 to merely reach out 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:10.399 blindly for you, 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:13.180 wishing and hoping. 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:15.740 Thank you that you have come to us. 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.960 Thank you that, in Jesus, 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:19.399 you have taken hold of us. 00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:22.640 You have taken on our human nature. 00:21:23.820 --> 00:21:28.420 You have had compassion upon us 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:32.140 in our brokenness and in our afflictions. 00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.780 Lord, thank you 00:21:35.780 --> 00:21:38.360 that you have taken the initiative 00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:40.900 to reveal yourself to us. 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:43.080 We pray that you would show yourself to us. 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:45.200 Lord, whether it's for the first time 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:47.360 or whether it's with a renewed desire 00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:48.640 to seek after you. 00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:54.180 Lord, we pray that your light 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:55.980 would continue to shine 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:57.840 through your word 00:21:57.840 --> 00:22:00.259 into our own darkness 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.640 and through us 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:04.180 into the darkness of the world around us. 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.160 That your hope 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:07.059 and your truth 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:08.279 and your mercy 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.000 and your grace 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:11.039 would be evident. 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:13.799 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:14.940 Amen.