WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.459 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:04.040 --> 00:00:07.000 Now, don't these Christmas lights look good? 00:00:07.740 --> 00:00:08.300 Yes. 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:12.759 I'm really thankful to the 40 or so people of the team 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:14.320 who came in on Wednesday night 00:00:14.320 --> 00:00:17.000 and really, I don't know if I... 00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:20.019 Pimped the church out, I suppose is a modern term. 00:00:20.100 --> 00:00:21.280 Thank you for laughing at me, my dear wife. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:22.859 Made the church look wonderful. 00:00:23.080 --> 00:00:24.620 Let's thank them. 00:00:25.500 --> 00:00:25.980 Yes. 00:00:26.339 --> 00:00:27.980 They've done a wonderful job. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.019 The church looks great. 00:00:31.960 --> 00:00:35.399 And yet, it's a little bit weird that we put lights inside. 00:00:36.420 --> 00:00:41.439 It's a bit strange that we bring a tree into our house 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:45.060 in December, or maybe November if you're particularly keen, 00:00:45.460 --> 00:00:46.879 and we put lights on it. 00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:50.200 It's a bit strange that in the southern hemisphere, 00:00:50.780 --> 00:00:53.299 in the brightest and lightest part of the year, 00:00:53.379 --> 00:00:54.939 we go, do you know what we need? 00:00:55.179 --> 00:00:57.539 The sun is up to 8 o'clock at night. 00:00:57.659 --> 00:00:58.760 We need more lights. 00:00:58.759 --> 00:01:00.979 You know, we're going to put up lights 00:01:00.979 --> 00:01:04.939 so that people can see the decorations in our house, 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:06.739 but they can only see them from about 8.30. 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:10.219 And, you know, I don't go out past the 8 o'clock these days, 00:01:10.299 --> 00:01:15.500 but this tradition comes from our European heritage, 00:01:15.719 --> 00:01:17.000 Australia's European heritage, 00:01:17.140 --> 00:01:20.599 where Christmas is the darkest time of the year. 00:01:21.299 --> 00:01:25.079 And so lights are put up because the season is dark, 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:27.079 and so they're put up to light the way. 00:01:27.899 --> 00:01:31.359 But there is something much more symbolic in it. 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:33.840 It's not just because we need to see, 00:01:34.420 --> 00:01:37.000 but we generally don't like the dark. 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:39.079 As children, we're... 00:01:39.620 --> 00:01:41.420 Sorry, I'm just struggling with this chord at the moment. 00:01:41.620 --> 00:01:46.140 As children, we are afraid of the things that go bump in the night. 00:01:46.140 --> 00:01:51.299 But as adults, you know, suburbs put lights up in dark spots 00:01:51.299 --> 00:01:53.200 to reduce rates of crime. 00:01:53.879 --> 00:01:56.079 Light makes us feel safe. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:01:59.400 Rates of depression follow the season, 00:01:59.719 --> 00:02:02.060 increasing as the dark increases. 00:02:02.519 --> 00:02:07.579 And so the lack of light has a palpable impact on us as humans. 00:02:07.579 --> 00:02:11.500 But this attitude of putting up lights in the dark, 00:02:11.599 --> 00:02:14.740 it's symbolic of also where we are as people. 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:19.500 We think that we can fix problems of darkness, 00:02:20.539 --> 00:02:23.780 the darkness of the world and the darkness of our hearts. 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:26.500 We think that we can be the agents of change. 00:02:26.919 --> 00:02:28.099 We have light in us. 00:02:28.419 --> 00:02:30.199 We can fix the problems of society. 00:02:30.539 --> 00:02:32.020 We can fix the darkness out there. 00:02:32.840 --> 00:02:35.020 At least that's the optimistic view. 00:02:35.900 --> 00:02:39.780 The optimist says we can fix all of society's problems. 00:02:41.200 --> 00:02:44.680 But the pessimist says that all you have to do is watch the news. 00:02:45.400 --> 00:02:47.939 People have been hurting each other for thousands of years 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:50.680 and there's nothing we can do to ever change that. 00:02:51.379 --> 00:02:54.820 Now, I'm not sure which of those that you're more likely to be. 00:02:54.820 --> 00:02:58.980 Do you fall on the more optimistic side or the more pessimistic side? 00:02:59.379 --> 00:03:02.700 I definitely chop and change between the two these days. 00:03:02.699 --> 00:03:08.219 But if we can vary between the two, what do we do? 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:11.659 Where does this light actually come from? 00:03:12.339 --> 00:03:16.939 If it doesn't come from within us, well, then we can be tempted to despair. 00:03:17.399 --> 00:03:19.560 Much like the pessimist, there is no hope. 00:03:20.079 --> 00:03:21.319 Humanity is doomed. 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:27.039 But what John 1 and Isaiah 9, that John has just read for us, 00:03:27.339 --> 00:03:29.099 show that there is a third way. 00:03:29.099 --> 00:03:32.879 It's not just optimism without looking at the world 00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:34.319 and it's not just pessimism. 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:35.840 There is a third way. 00:03:36.780 --> 00:03:40.780 A way where we can see that the world is dark and terrible, 00:03:41.120 --> 00:03:43.439 but there also is a light. 00:03:44.259 --> 00:03:47.299 And we need a light that comes not from within us, 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:49.459 but from outside of us. 00:03:50.240 --> 00:03:51.479 We need the light to come. 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:55.959 We need Jesus himself to light our darkened hearts 00:03:55.959 --> 00:03:58.000 and this darkened world. 00:03:59.060 --> 00:04:00.539 And a strange thing is going to happen. 00:04:01.159 --> 00:04:05.099 A strange thing is going to happen for those that follow Jesus the light. 00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:07.399 It's the opposite of a tan. 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:09.560 You know, this time of year, I'm often trying to get a tan. 00:04:09.780 --> 00:04:10.379 What do we do? 00:04:10.500 --> 00:04:13.679 We go and spend time in the sun and the sun makes our skin darker. 00:04:14.019 --> 00:04:16.740 But what happens when we spend time with the light Jesus? 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:19.319 We actually become lighter. 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:21.480 We become light like Jesus. 00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:26.019 And so as you would have noticed, we're in Christmas. 00:04:26.199 --> 00:04:26.779 It's Christmas. 00:04:26.939 --> 00:04:28.439 I'm not sure if you're ready for Christmas. 00:04:29.019 --> 00:04:32.019 Christmas is ready for you, whether you are ready for it or not. 00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:35.159 December always seems to creep up on me, but it's here. 00:04:35.560 --> 00:04:36.219 It's Christmas. 00:04:36.839 --> 00:04:42.060 And so for the next five weeks, we're in a series of Christmas 00:04:42.060 --> 00:04:44.719 because the light has come. 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:46.540 God himself has come. 00:04:47.020 --> 00:04:49.500 And so we can now see because of Jesus. 00:04:50.020 --> 00:04:52.720 We can have light and we can have hope. 00:04:53.420 --> 00:04:56.300 And so today, as we start this series, we're going to look at what the light is. 00:04:56.380 --> 00:04:59.200 We're going to look at what does it mean that Jesus is the light. 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:03.920 And the challenge today for us will be for us to be light. 00:05:04.400 --> 00:05:06.860 So as we do this, let me pray. 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:11.980 Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time at Christmas. 00:05:12.780 --> 00:05:18.900 Lord, we thank you for the opportunity to remind ourselves of the amazing joy 00:05:18.900 --> 00:05:21.040 that you became a person. 00:05:22.199 --> 00:05:28.420 God, as we spend the next four or five weeks getting ready for Christmas, 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:30.680 buying presents, organizing feasts, 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:36.019 help us not to miss the most significant part of Christmas, 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:41.680 that you have lit our way home and that you are a light for us even now, Lord. 00:05:42.400 --> 00:05:43.840 We ask this in your son's name. 00:05:44.100 --> 00:05:44.460 Amen. 00:05:45.900 --> 00:05:47.680 Three points for us today. 00:05:47.879 --> 00:05:49.939 You can be following along in the St. Paul's app. 00:05:49.980 --> 00:05:51.439 You can be making notes in there. 00:05:51.980 --> 00:05:54.160 First, we're going to see the dark. 00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:55.899 Then we're going to see the light. 00:05:55.899 --> 00:05:58.000 And then we're going to see reflections. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:03.139 Now, Christmas, it can often seem like Christmas is for kids. 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:07.500 There's presents, and then there's more presents, 00:06:07.620 --> 00:06:09.019 and then there's presents from family members, 00:06:09.079 --> 00:06:12.060 and you've got to buy presents for your second cousin twice removed. 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:17.500 And then there's food, and there's candy canes, and there's chocolate. 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:20.240 And a lot of it can seem like it's aimed at kids. 00:06:21.139 --> 00:06:24.379 But Isaiah 9, the very start of Isaiah 9, 00:06:25.220 --> 00:06:27.220 shows who Christmas is aimed for. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:29.439 It's not just for kids. 00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:31.120 It's not just for people who like decorations. 00:06:31.639 --> 00:06:32.740 Please have your Bibles open. 00:06:32.819 --> 00:06:33.680 We're going to look at Isaiah 9. 00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:35.519 We're going to spend a bit of time in Isaiah 9 today. 00:06:35.740 --> 00:06:38.100 More time in Isaiah 9 than in John 1. 00:06:38.660 --> 00:06:39.959 So have your Bibles open. 00:06:40.040 --> 00:06:41.360 We're going to start in verse 1. 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:48.800 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. 00:06:48.800 --> 00:07:11.620 So who is this message of Christmas for? 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:17.079 It is for those who are in gloom, who are in darkness and in distress. 00:07:17.899 --> 00:07:22.819 It's not really family-friendly, hallmark Christmas movie vibes. 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:26.319 I'm not sure if you're a hallmark Christmas movie type person. 00:07:26.639 --> 00:07:29.420 My Netflix has been inundated with these movies. 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:34.959 It seems to be new sequels with the exact same cast and the exact same plot every year. 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:39.939 But that's what we think Christmas is, these nice, happy family vibes. 00:07:40.919 --> 00:07:46.039 But Isaiah 9 says that the message of Christmas comes to those who are in darkness, in distress. 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:53.859 And there's this description of the area of Galilee, of Galilee being in darkness. 00:07:54.979 --> 00:07:58.779 Galilee was in a really difficult spot in the nation of Israel. 00:07:58.779 --> 00:08:02.399 They were the front door to the nations. 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:04.419 So they were in the north. 00:08:04.659 --> 00:08:11.819 And if there was an invading army coming to Israel, they would come through Galilee first. 00:08:12.739 --> 00:08:17.500 Can you imagine being in Galilee and just, ah, there's another army coming? 00:08:18.159 --> 00:08:23.219 They're going to rape and pillage us first before they go any further? 00:08:23.719 --> 00:08:24.819 Where is our help? 00:08:24.819 --> 00:08:27.959 Where is the army from Jerusalem coming to protect us? 00:08:28.779 --> 00:08:33.740 And so this message is for the broken and downcast and oppressed. 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:39.279 God is going to honour this town of Galilee in a special way. 00:08:40.339 --> 00:08:43.579 Galilee, in verse 2, is described as in darkness. 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:50.339 The Bible also describes the whole world as in darkness. 00:08:50.459 --> 00:08:51.500 We saw this in John 1. 00:08:51.759 --> 00:08:58.039 And it uses this term darkness to be both about evil and about ignorance. 00:08:58.779 --> 00:09:01.220 It's very similar to the way we'd use the language. 00:09:01.439 --> 00:09:05.079 We use darkness to be, you know, oh, that person, he's in the dark. 00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:06.059 He has no knowledge. 00:09:06.179 --> 00:09:07.199 Sorry, Tom, I'm not actually meeting you. 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:09.779 That person doesn't know what's happening. 00:09:11.259 --> 00:09:13.220 We also talk about it as evil. 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:14.839 We talk about dark or black. 00:09:14.919 --> 00:09:17.740 Oh, that person, they've got a black heart. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:20.480 They've got darkness inside them. 00:09:20.539 --> 00:09:24.139 Or if you're like me, a Star Wars nerd, you'd say they've gone to the dark side. 00:09:24.919 --> 00:09:26.899 In Chinese, you'd say something similar. 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:28.159 It's xin hei. 00:09:28.340 --> 00:09:29.740 It's a dark heart. 00:09:31.039 --> 00:09:36.539 You don't have to look much further than what was happening in the time where Jesus was born. 00:09:36.539 --> 00:09:41.319 It was a dark world filled with darkened hearts. 00:09:42.519 --> 00:09:46.899 Jesus' birth was a time of violence and injustice. 00:09:47.919 --> 00:09:56.539 There was abuse of power, homelessness, refugees fleeing oppression, families ripped apart, people filled with grief. 00:09:58.399 --> 00:10:01.879 But that world isn't actually that different to ours now. 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:06.620 We could say the same thing about all of those. 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:09.759 Our time, just like Jesus, is a time of violence and injustice. 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:11.899 There's abuses of power. 00:10:12.340 --> 00:10:12.939 There's homelessness. 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:14.960 There's refugees fleeing injustice. 00:10:15.320 --> 00:10:16.419 There's families ripped apart. 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:17.580 There's people filled with grief. 00:10:19.639 --> 00:10:29.080 Just like in Jesus' time, we see the dark and we long for the light, for justice and safety and protection from evil. 00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:35.920 Humans have been longing for light and the love of light, of salvation. 00:10:36.400 --> 00:10:39.980 And we think that we can fix the problems around us. 00:10:41.020 --> 00:10:44.960 We can think that all we have to do is have more technology. 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:46.160 Then we can feed the world. 00:10:46.300 --> 00:10:48.420 All we need is to continue to innovate. 00:10:49.060 --> 00:10:54.080 All we need to do is continually to get to know the different cultures, to know each other. 00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:55.320 And then there will be peace. 00:10:55.980 --> 00:10:58.740 Then we can fix the problems of war and racism. 00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:07.040 And we can hold up stories of what happened on Christmas Day in, I think it was 1942, World War II. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:11.639 The battle lines are drawn between the Allies and the Nazis. 00:11:13.320 --> 00:11:16.759 And there is, you know, they're on either sides. 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:21.780 Christmas Day comes and the war stops for a very brief moment. 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:25.279 They go out there into no man's land and they play soccer. 00:11:25.439 --> 00:11:27.379 They probably called it football at the time. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:29.279 And it was joyful. 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:30.360 They shared rations. 00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:31.919 They had a wonderful meal. 00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:33.379 And we can see stories like that. 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:35.339 And we can think, yes, see, people can do it. 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:38.039 There is light within us. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:40.279 We can fix all the problems of the world. 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:45.860 And it's very easy to forget that that was one day in 365. 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:50.740 And then the next day they just went back to war and killing each other. 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:57.399 No one knows how to cure suffering and evil. 00:11:58.539 --> 00:12:01.259 At the end of chapter 8 of Isaiah, the people try. 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:04.200 They consult magicians and mediums instead of God. 00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:07.019 And the chapter finishes on a depressing note. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:13.019 They will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom. 00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:16.080 Nothing really has changed. 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:20.560 We still look to human resources to fix the problems of the world. 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:25.700 You know, to go back to that kind of hallmark Christmas movie vibe, 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:27.879 I'm not sure if you've been watching them on Netflix this year. 00:12:28.440 --> 00:12:30.700 I've seen a little bit of a couple. 00:12:31.780 --> 00:12:34.139 I can't really avoid it in my household. 00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:35.600 I'm not going to blame anybody in particular. 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:38.780 We were watching one the other night. 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:41.220 And the theme always seems to be very similar. 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:43.200 There's a problem. 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:47.420 And romance and love need to happen. 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:50.259 You know, there's some kind of Christmas miracle. 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:54.379 And then this couple bring a community together. 00:12:55.180 --> 00:12:56.080 You know, we watched... 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:56.759 I can't remember. 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:58.860 It was about a family being broken apart. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:03.160 But the Christmas miracle was that at Christmas, love prevailed. 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:07.680 And the Christmas miracle was that this family was brought back together. 00:13:07.680 --> 00:13:10.960 Or a community comes together and a community is saved. 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:12.640 And then there is happiness and peace. 00:13:12.639 --> 00:13:17.220 And we even say things like, don't do that at Christmas. 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:18.899 It's Christmas Day. 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:19.720 Stop doing that. 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:24.139 Can't you just love each other because it's Christmas? 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:28.639 And we think that there is this specialness to Christmas time 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:33.279 that should motivate people to peace and love and joy. 00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:35.699 And I've been catching myself... 00:13:35.699 --> 00:13:37.600 You know, yesterday we were setting up the Christmas tree. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:42.139 And so many times I wanted to say, just love each other because it's Christmas. 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:45.399 But what's that got to do with the price of fish? 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:47.080 Which is a very strange Australian saying. 00:13:47.180 --> 00:13:48.139 I'm not sure where that comes from. 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:50.600 But what has that got to do with the time? 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:59.060 Because just because it's December doesn't mean that we should be loving anybody more. 00:13:59.059 --> 00:14:01.719 But we seem to think that that is the message of Christmas. 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:04.159 Love conquers all. 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.679 It can unite us. 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:08.539 We think that that is the message of Christmas. 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:14.419 But here in Isaiah 9, the message of Christmas is that it is dark. 00:14:14.419 --> 00:14:18.500 The world is evil and ignorant. 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:22.639 We actually don't even realise how bad things are. 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:28.019 And that's one of the reasons why social media for a lot of people is really difficult at the moment. 00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:33.979 Because for the first time in human history, we can actually see how bad the world is. 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:38.159 We can actually hear about terrible things going on. 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:41.439 And we're not built to process that amount of darkness in the world. 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:48.400 Thinking that humanity can save itself just leads to more darkness. 00:14:49.760 --> 00:14:53.040 And so the message of Christmas cannot be, let's be united. 00:14:53.420 --> 00:14:54.320 Let's be peaceful. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:58.020 Let's love and the spirit of Christmas will bring us together. 00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:59.860 That can't be the message of Christmas. 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:07.240 We grow up and learn that many of the fairy tales around Christmas aren't real. 00:15:07.420 --> 00:15:09.940 And this is just another thing that we need to unlearn. 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:14.060 We want to hold on to this view that the light is in us. 00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:19.160 And we can bring joy and the spirit of Christmas can help heal the world. 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:21.720 But this is just another part of Christmas that we need to unlearn. 00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:26.500 But the opposite message is also not true. 00:15:27.060 --> 00:15:30.940 It's not true that we are stuck in darkness and therefore we should give in. 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:33.640 That we should just become apathetic and not care. 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:41.240 Instead, the message of Christmas is that the world is dark, but the light has come. 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:42.919 Things are bad. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:44.860 Things are actually really, really bad. 00:15:45.059 --> 00:15:47.480 But there is a hope that has come. 00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:49.139 There is a light. 00:15:49.939 --> 00:15:51.519 And that light is a baby. 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:55.179 It's our second point today, the light. 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:57.599 Isaiah 9, verse 6 says, 00:15:57.600 --> 00:16:13.940 Isaiah 9, verse 6 says, 00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:18.200 Isaiah 9 not only tells us who the light is, but also how we get the light. 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:25.960 This light, Jesus, the Son of God, born to die on a cross, raised to life. 00:16:26.060 --> 00:16:28.740 He is given to us. 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:37.860 This light that comes to our darkened hearts and to our darkened world to reveal who we are and to reveal who God is. 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:39.560 He is given. 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:45.460 The only way you can receive this is to admit that you need this free gift. 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:48.159 It's a gift of grace that we don't deserve. 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:52.419 Christmas is about receiving gifts. 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:56.779 But this is a gift that is really hard to receive. 00:16:57.560 --> 00:17:02.539 If you've ever been in financial trouble and someone has offered a large chunk of money, 00:17:02.820 --> 00:17:05.380 you know that some gifts are really hard to accept. 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:07.940 You know, you have to swallow your pride. 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:11.040 You have to admit, oh, actually, I really need this help. 00:17:12.520 --> 00:17:14.060 But imagine it was Christmas morning. 00:17:14.300 --> 00:17:15.720 Let's push ourselves forward. 00:17:16.060 --> 00:17:16.440 What is it? 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.800 19 days or something. 00:17:18.040 --> 00:17:18.600 20 days. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:19.400 20 days to Christmas. 00:17:20.140 --> 00:17:22.020 And you open up a present. 00:17:22.620 --> 00:17:24.420 And there is a book there called 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:29.840 How to Properly Put on Makeup for Your Face Shape. 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:32.080 How do you feel? 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:32.880 What do you mean? 00:17:33.320 --> 00:17:34.680 What are you trying to say with this book? 00:17:35.800 --> 00:17:37.000 Is there an issue? 00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:40.020 So, you know, you put that to one side, feeling a little hurt. 00:17:40.360 --> 00:17:42.100 And then you take another one. 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:43.000 You pull off the ribbon. 00:17:44.020 --> 00:17:47.560 You rip the wrapping paper apart because, you know, you never try and keep it. 00:17:47.600 --> 00:17:48.480 You just always throw it away. 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.680 And there's another book there. 00:17:50.340 --> 00:17:53.260 And it's called How to Get Over Yourself and Your Own Pride. 00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:57.160 You grab something out of the stocking. 00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:58.340 And it's raw grain. 00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:00.740 It's a can of raw grain to grow your hair back. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:04.319 Now, you could get angry at this point. 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.500 You could get angry. 00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:10.579 Or you could admit that these gifts are hard to receive. 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:15.059 To receive them, you have to admit that you are flawed. 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:18.579 That you are weak and you need help. 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:25.059 That, you know, maybe you're terrible at putting on makeup and that you're arrogant and hard to be around or that you're balding. 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:27.980 Now, I don't want to recommend anybody give these gifts. 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:32.240 You know, don't say you need to grow in humility. 00:18:32.419 --> 00:18:34.679 I'm going to give you this gift so you can learn about your weaknesses. 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.599 That's not a good thing. 00:18:36.159 --> 00:18:39.039 But that is the meaning of Christmas. 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:40.659 Is that we are weak. 00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:43.379 That we are flawed. 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:46.599 That my heart is dark. 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:49.659 That the culture I'm living in is darkened. 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:52.079 And it sends me scurrying around in the dark. 00:18:52.879 --> 00:18:54.579 And I can't pull myself together. 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:56.139 And I need this Christmas gift. 00:18:57.159 --> 00:19:00.740 No matter how hard it is to receive. 00:19:01.919 --> 00:19:03.839 I need to be saved by grace. 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:06.899 I am in desperate need of this child. 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:09.559 God's son given. 00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:14.619 And that title in Isaiah 6 is a wonderful title. 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.699 The title of Jesus here. 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:18.119 Sorry, Isaiah 9 verse 6. 00:19:19.179 --> 00:19:20.199 Wonderful counselor. 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.639 Mighty God. 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:25.000 Everlasting Father. 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.680 Prince of Peace. 00:19:27.040 --> 00:19:28.900 He is a wonderful counselor. 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:31.800 He is God become flesh. 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:35.340 He knows what it's like to be frail and to be human. 00:19:36.600 --> 00:19:39.360 And if God was really born in a manger. 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:43.680 He is a God who understands us from the inside. 00:19:44.060 --> 00:19:46.060 He's had the same experiences. 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:51.539 There's no other religion that says that God suffered like his people. 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:56.779 Jesus knew what it was like to be courageous in the face of suffering. 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:59.899 To be abandoned by friends. 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.399 To be alone. 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:04.759 To be crushed by injustice. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.679 To be tortured and to die. 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:10.440 How amazing that we can take our burdens. 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:12.380 Our pain and our grief to him. 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:16.299 But he's also a mighty God. 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:18.400 And he's everlasting father. 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:20.240 And that means he's created the world. 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:22.140 And it's easy at Christmas time. 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:25.580 To like the story of the baby born in the manger. 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:29.859 But people didn't just like Jesus. 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:32.419 We can't just like this story. 00:20:33.639 --> 00:20:33.980 They aren't. 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:35.939 People that knew Jesus. 00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:38.480 Either loved him and worshipped him. 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:41.119 Or they hated him and killed him. 00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:44.220 There is no middle path. 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:46.939 There is no I really like the story of Jesus. 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:48.960 I like the cute fluffy manger scene. 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:52.460 You either love him and worship him as the mighty God. 00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:53.819 Or you hate him. 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:56.359 There is no in between. 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:59.679 And Tim Keller makes the wonderful point. 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.759 That it's too limiting. 00:21:00.939 --> 00:21:01.639 It's too small. 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:04.240 To say that we should celebrate Jesus. 00:21:04.439 --> 00:21:05.740 Born at Christmas. 00:21:06.179 --> 00:21:07.939 We should stare dumbstruck. 00:21:08.879 --> 00:21:10.039 Lost in wonder. 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:11.460 That the mighty God. 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:13.720 Became like us. 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:17.720 You know that feeling when you see. 00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:19.759 A really wonderful Christmas light display. 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.980 You know there's a couple of houses around. 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:23.960 That you know we try and find. 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:25.559 And you rock up there. 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:27.380 My first question is always. 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:30.339 How much is this costing for the electricity bill? 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.839 Because the light. 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:33.860 The house is just lights everywhere. 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:36.660 And there's you know inflatable Santas. 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.480 There's just. 00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:38.980 There's things to look at. 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:41.700 And for a lot of those places. 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.660 You just stand. 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:44.420 And stare in wonder. 00:21:44.600 --> 00:21:45.200 Oh there's that. 00:21:45.320 --> 00:21:45.960 Oh there's look at that. 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.100 There's this thing over here. 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:49.360 And then you know there's a coffee cart. 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.680 That's parked on the street. 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.740 And there's a Mr. Whippy van. 00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:54.400 And there's people coming from far and wide to look. 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:56.040 And you know make money out of it. 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:59.960 But we take photos and we share them. 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:01.180 Look at this display. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:04.559 How much more the true light himself Jesus. 00:22:05.899 --> 00:22:08.079 Should we be staring at. 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.259 Dumbstruck in wonder. 00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:11.420 Amazed. 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.240 At his goodness. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:16.200 That the light himself has come. 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:21.539 John 1.9 says that Jesus is the light. 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:25.000 But also he is going to give the light. 00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:27.480 That's our third point today. 00:22:28.080 --> 00:22:29.519 That we are to be reflections. 00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:33.600 The light that we so desire to have. 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:36.740 That we want to have to conquer evil and suffering. 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:39.480 Jesus gives it. 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:41.799 The light comes from Jesus. 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:43.779 And he gives it to his disciples. 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:46.160 Jesus says in Matthew 5. 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:48.840 You are the light of the world. 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:52.240 A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:54.960 Neither do people light a lamp. 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:56.319 And put it under a bowl. 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:58.100 Instead they put it on a stand. 00:22:58.740 --> 00:23:01.039 And it gives light to everyone in the house. 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:03.220 In the same way. 00:23:03.620 --> 00:23:05.759 Let your light shine before others. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:07.920 That they may see your good deeds. 00:23:08.080 --> 00:23:10.059 And glorify your father in heaven. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:12.539 Jesus says that. 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:13.539 We. 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:14.860 The church. 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:16.180 Are the light of the world. 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:18.200 We have seen the light. 00:23:18.340 --> 00:23:18.680 Jesus. 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.519 And we get to take. 00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:21.860 This light. 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:24.080 That we are celebrating here today. 00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:24.940 We get to take this. 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:26.340 To the diversity of Chatswood. 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.440 To our friends. 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.400 And to our families. 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:31.819 One way to understand this. 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:32.400 Is that. 00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:34.660 We are like the moon. 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:37.600 The moon has no light of its own. 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.480 The sun sets. 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:40.480 The sun goes down. 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:44.099 But we can continue to see the light of the sun. 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.700 Reflected in the moon. 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:47.779 The moon doesn't have any light of its own. 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:50.799 But it bounces back the light of the sun. 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:53.019 And we can still see. 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:55.480 And you know on those nights when it's a full moon. 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:57.240 It's like actually it's pretty bright out here. 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.279 I can see pretty well. 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:01.500 We are to be the moon. 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:05.759 To bask in the light and the glory of Jesus. 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:08.519 And to shine that out. 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:12.759 So that no matter how dimly we shine to the people around us. 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:15.079 People would realize that they're in the dark. 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:18.059 The sun has gone. 00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:20.460 But his light continues to shine. 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.559 On us. 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.759 And from us. 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:25.480 The sun has gone to heaven. 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:28.619 But his light still shines. 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:32.059 The light shines against the darkness. 00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:34.579 It reveals things for what they are. 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:38.000 It gets rid of deceptions and half-truths. 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:43.240 And so Jesus in Matthew 5 called us to let the light shine from us. 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:46.640 So that people would see our good deeds. 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:50.140 For the first time in a while. 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:53.660 We've set Christmas lights up outside our building. 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:56.039 Very much like that passage in Matthew 5. 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:58.559 We want to be a light on a hill. 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:01.440 We want the church building to be noticed. 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:02.400 So that people say. 00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.279 Oh wow. 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:05.119 Look at that light on a hill. 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.539 Doesn't it look nice? 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:11.279 But how much more do we want the people of Chatswood? 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:13.660 The people in our families. 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.180 Our friends. 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:15.259 The people on our front lines. 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:18.519 To see our good deeds of love and generosity. 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.400 And forgiveness. 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:23.220 How we go out of our way to shine as a light. 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:24.460 So that people say. 00:25:24.619 --> 00:25:24.980 Wow. 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:27.220 Look at that person. 00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:29.799 Where did they get that light from? 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:33.240 And we want to be the moon to people. 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:33.880 So we can say. 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.599 Don't look at me. 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:36.859 I'm just doing what Jesus has done. 00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:38.339 He is the true light. 00:25:39.939 --> 00:25:40.339 And so. 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:42.439 I have three encouragements. 00:25:42.699 --> 00:25:44.019 Three brief encouragements. 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.899 Of what it could be like. 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:49.000 What it could look like to be the light of Jesus today. 00:25:49.979 --> 00:25:50.839 First of all. 00:25:51.419 --> 00:25:52.479 From Matthew 5. 00:25:53.419 --> 00:25:55.339 Don't hide your light. 00:25:56.699 --> 00:25:57.219 Imagine. 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:57.759 You know. 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:59.440 When you're stuck in the dark. 00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:02.140 And you're stumbling around. 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.779 You've stubbed your toe. 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.819 You're crying a little bit from that. 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.980 You're hitting your shins. 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:10.319 And then you realize that there's somebody just standing at the light switch. 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:13.319 Why didn't you turn the light on? 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:16.019 Let's not be like that person. 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:20.579 Let's not hide our light from the people around us. 00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:22.279 Even the people in our families. 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:24.119 Even the people who might already know Jesus. 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.539 Let's not hide our light. 00:26:25.939 --> 00:26:27.639 Let's do what Matthew 5 says. 00:26:28.439 --> 00:26:30.139 To show the light in good deeds. 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.119 To love. 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:34.460 People are stuck in darkness. 00:26:34.699 --> 00:26:35.359 And without us. 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:37.740 They will continue to be ignorant of Jesus. 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.699 So don't hide your light. 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.099 Secondly. 00:26:41.919 --> 00:26:44.000 Take your light where it's dark. 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:46.500 As we've encouraged. 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:49.740 We've got piles of these out on the table. 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:51.180 And we've got these candy canes. 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:53.519 Now I had my first candy cane of the season yesterday. 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:55.680 And I forgot how much I like a good candy cane. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:58.299 Now these candy canes are not for you. 00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:00.680 I did have one child this morning say. 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.519 Can I have a candy cane? 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:01.759 I said. 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.000 No. 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.740 They're for your friends. 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.460 If you eat them. 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:05.720 People can't get to hear about Jesus. 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:07.259 And they're committed. 00:27:07.599 --> 00:27:09.119 They want to take 10 of them to their friends. 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:11.339 To invite them to our carol service on the 19th. 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.759 And that's wonderful. 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:14.180 I'm going to trust them with 10 of those. 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:16.160 I will maybe encourage their parents. 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.640 Just to encourage them. 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:19.059 To make sure they get to their friends. 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:22.319 But I want to encourage you to do the same thing. 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.160 Just like Jess. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:25.379 I'm going to be giving these out to people in my street. 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:27.519 Now I need to talk to Ian and Helen. 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.119 Who are here. 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:30.859 To make sure I don't do the same people as them. 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.160 But you know what? 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:34.579 Maybe those people can have two or three candy canes. 00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:35.660 That's probably okay. 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:38.099 Keep me accountable as well. 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:40.440 I want to be encouraging. 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:42.440 The people I know and love around me. 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:44.319 With a little gift. 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:46.039 To say hey. 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:48.000 There's something happening. 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:50.839 Come and see this Jesus. 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:53.160 Share the good news of Jesus. 00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:54.460 Is what we should be doing. 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:57.180 Invite people to Christmas here with us. 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.440 But we can think. 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.240 Job done. 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:04.019 I have been the light to people. 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:06.299 I have shared the good news. 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:07.559 And that's a really good thing. 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.220 Do that. 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.180 But we can think. 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:12.019 That's all I need to do. 00:28:12.139 --> 00:28:13.339 To be light to people. 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:15.139 And it's not Matthew 5 said. 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:18.079 Share the light in love and good deeds. 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.420 And so do that. 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:22.359 By sitting with people in grief. 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.500 Offer. 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:25.400 Help. 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.319 Or food. 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:28.319 Christmas is a time. 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:31.319 Where people feel very far from families. 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:34.439 The last two years have been particularly difficult for many people. 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:36.200 Because we haven't been able to see family. 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:37.519 To see friends. 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:41.759 It can be emphasized in this season. 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:45.980 Where a lot of people are away from friends or family or feeling lonely. 00:28:46.379 --> 00:28:48.379 Extend love to them in this season. 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:50.440 So. 00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:52.220 Don't hide your light. 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.300 Secondly. 00:28:53.760 --> 00:28:55.480 Take your light to where it's dark. 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:57.060 And thirdly. 00:28:58.600 --> 00:28:59.600 Shine together. 00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:03.320 You might not be feeling like the fullest of moons. 00:29:03.760 --> 00:29:05.160 Reflecting the light of Jesus. 00:29:06.020 --> 00:29:07.660 You might actually be feeling like that. 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.500 What's it called? 00:29:08.580 --> 00:29:10.060 When it's just a sliver of moon? 00:29:11.300 --> 00:29:11.740 Eclipse. 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.160 Yep. 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.560 Thank you. 00:29:12.800 --> 00:29:14.540 You might be feeling like an eclipsed moon. 00:29:15.540 --> 00:29:17.880 You might be feeling like if somebody looked at you. 00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:23.560 There's a whole lot of worries and anxieties getting in the way of the light of Jesus shining through your life. 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:25.200 And so let me encourage you. 00:29:26.020 --> 00:29:27.060 Shine with other people. 00:29:28.040 --> 00:29:29.040 Take someone with you. 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:30.800 Take another person. 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.680 Take another light. 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:34.100 What could your community group do? 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:36.800 I'm very aware that most community groups have only got a couple of weeks left. 00:29:37.120 --> 00:29:37.840 And then it's Christmas. 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:40.020 And then, you know, January's kind of out. 00:29:40.300 --> 00:29:41.940 But what could your community group do? 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:44.620 Who could your family love? 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:47.340 I think this was one of my favorite parts of Wednesday night. 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:48.899 We set up all the Christmas decorations. 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:54.959 But there was just this team of 20 or so people sorting all of the toys and tucker for us. 00:29:55.699 --> 00:30:05.059 It was really wonderful seeing people get in and pack boxes so that we can do love and good deeds for people down in Kullborough. 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:07.379 Steve's going to be dropping them off on Monday night. 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:12.559 And they are ready to be serving that community to love them. 00:30:12.919 --> 00:30:15.419 To give them an opportunity to come and hear Jesus. 00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:16.099 And do you know what? 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:18.839 To just love people like Jesus is loved. 00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:23.960 How can you be shining the light of Jesus on mission? 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:31.539 We, as a church, can have a far greater impact than if we're trying to do things on our own. 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:36.400 And so at Christmas time, we love to celebrate light. 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:44.519 But this year, let's reflect more on Jesus so that we can reflect his light to the world. 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:45.700 Let me pray. 00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:56.519 Dear Heavenly Father, Lord, are you a mighty God, everlasting Father. 00:30:57.259 --> 00:31:00.259 We thank you for all your goodness to us in Jesus. 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:05.279 That you not only prophesied him from many years ago. 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:12.019 But that you sent him for us, people lost in the dark. 00:31:12.119 --> 00:31:19.559 Just as Isaiah 9 said, people in the dark, darkened hearts and in an evil and darkened time. 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:24.660 Heavenly Father, we thank you for Jesus, that he is light. 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:26.660 That we can know you. 00:31:28.339 --> 00:31:32.160 Heavenly Father, help us be light to the world. 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:35.460 God, you have given us this incredible privilege. 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:38.220 Help us not hide it under a bowl. 00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:41.180 Help us to shine light. 00:31:41.840 --> 00:31:43.500 To share the good news of Jesus. 00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:44.360 To invite people. 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:47.160 Lord, we want to see many people come to know and love you. 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:51.640 But Lord, there are many people in our lives. 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:53.860 People that you know who they are. 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:56.880 That we long to see saved. 00:31:57.880 --> 00:31:59.480 Father, help us be praying for them. 00:31:59.580 --> 00:32:00.400 Help us be deliberate. 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:04.080 And help us to share love and good deeds. 00:32:04.820 --> 00:32:06.380 And Father, help us do that together. 00:32:07.080 --> 00:32:08.620 We ask this in your son's name. 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.519 Amen.