Welcome to Ontario Community Church, where we are encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ.
! I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and you're listening to our Christmas Eve service from 2025.
! Tonight is a special night.
We've just completed our four-week Advent series where we explored hope, peace, joy, and love.
And now on Christmas Eve, we are gathering to celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
In this service, we're going to focus on one simple but profound truth, that Jesus Christ is a light that shines in the darkness.
This is the light that brings hope, peace, joy, and love.
This is the light that transforms our lives.
If you think about it, just how there was in the beginning, in Genesis, God said,
Let there be light, and the light arrived in the dark and brokenness of the world.
And we think about Christmas, we think about Bethlehem, where the light arrived in humble beginnings.
Tonight, we'll explore what it means that Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.
So whether you're listening on Christmas Eve or another time, I invite for you to find a quiet place.
Maybe light a candle of your own, and let the light of Christ meet you where you are.
Here is the sermon, The Light of the World Has Come.
You know, tonight we have heard the wonderful story, these verses that help us remember the Christmas story.
And I want us to think about this idea and this concept and this truth about the light of God, the light of Christ.
A light that shines in the darkness.
A light that penetrates through.
A light that brings forth salvation.
A light that brings forth peace and hope.
We think of light and how important it is in our everyday living.
We turn on a switch and instantaneously a light will shine, lighting up a room.
Especially if you're going into a basement or if you're going into any sort of dark room.
We see that within our physical understanding.
But when we think in times such as this, we have to think about the light that has come that gives us hope.
Something that is much more powerful.
Something that is much more joyful.
And something that gives glory to God.
A light that paves the way for all of humankind.
And transforms how we live today.
And we think about it.
The scripture being read and us singing these songs.
These Christmas songs.
It's always a wonderful time to just think of these lyrics and just to all join in together.
As the church body.
As the body of Christ.
And we think of these scripture readings.
How Isaiah was talking about the promise for light.
For people that were walking in darkness.
And I can't help but think how many of us may have walked in darkness before.
And how many of us need direction.
We need comfort.
And we need that light within our life.
We also think how in the gospel account.
In the gospel of Luke.
It tells us that light has arrived.
A significant light in humble beginnings.
We think how the angels proclaimed.
And the shepherds received it.
And there was worship that followed.
Something of such great significance.
Something of such great power.
And great glory.
For God's grace.
We celebrate God's grace.
Appearing.
Into the world.
We think so much about how.
God has a plan for each and every one of us.
And God has a plan for us to come.
To this light.
And how important it is.
For us to understand this.
And as we think of tonight.
I want us to think.
Not the question of whether the light has.
Not only come.
Because that's what we celebrate.
But what does this light mean.
For you.
Today.
In your current situation.
And circumstance.
We think of the holidays.
We think of Christmas.
We think of the Advent season.
And all of these things that happen.
And some of us.
We're excited.
I hope for all of us.
We have a sense of excitement.
Children being ready.
To go to sleep.
And to open presents.
From mom and dad.
And from Santa.
For some of us.
It's just having rest.
For others.
It might actually be.
Another day.
And that may be very unfortunate.
For some of us.
But in any case.
Let us think.
Of the light.
That comes from the Lord.
And how comforting.
Guiding.
And how unique.
That light is.
Let us think then.
Light.
Will pierce.
Through.
The darkness.
As I mentioned.
In the beginning.
Of this.
Our time here.
To think.
From the very beginning.
The earth.
Being without form.
In the Genesis account.
Right.
That the earth.
Was formless.
And.
With void.
And there was darkness.
Over the waters.
And the light.
God speaking.
Let there be light.
And there was light.
And I think.
For a moment.
That is God's light.
Not the light.
Of the sun.
As it goes on.
In later verses.
But God.
Providing a light.
For the world.
And that little.
First.
One.
Two.
Three verses.
Of Genesis.
gives us.
An account.
Of what we celebrate.
Here.
Tonight.
God providing.
A way.
For us.
A light.
That shines.
Into the darkness.
And what does that mean?
Then.
Providing hope.
For those that are broken.
Providing comfort.
For those that are in need.
Providing direction.
For many of us.
Who need it.
Providing consistency.
And also.
Let's not forget.
The imagery.
Of how.
When there's light.
Where does the darkness go?
Where does it go?
It disappears.
Right?
I mean.
Granted.
You got shadows.
And stuff.
But when we're thinking.
Of the light of Christ.
The darkness.
Will flee.
And how powerful.
That is.
The next time.
You turn on a light.
The next time.
You light a candle.
The next time.
You think.
Of the light.
Of Christ.
Think for a moment.
That darkness.
Will disappear.
It will.
Be pierced.
It will pierce.
The darkness.
And we think.
Of how.
For many of us.
There's darkness.
There's fear.
And there's.
People who are.
Afraid.
And we have to think.
For a moment.
That Jesus.
Was born.
Into this darkness.
Darkness.
And God.
Meets us.
Right.
The word.
That became.
Flesh.
Is there darkness.
In your life.
That you need.
The light of Christ.
To shine in.
I know.
I certainly do.
And I think.
For many of us.
We need.
The light of Christ.
And of course.
When we think.
Of the light.
As well.
We think.
Of these names.
That came.
From our scripture.
Readings.
The wonderful.
Counselor.
The mighty.
God.
The everlasting.
Father.
And the prince.
Of peace.
And we think.
Of how that light.
Should be received.
By us.
Let us not be afraid.
Of the light.
I mean.
If we're in a dark room.
And a big.
Bright light.
Goes in.
It may.
Shock us.
For a moment.
I admit.
But certainly.
This is the kind.
Of light.
We should not.
Be afraid of.
And so.
I want you.
To think.
For a moment.
Out of those.
Names.
The wonderful.
Counselor.
The mighty.
God.
Maybe you.
Identify.
With one of those.
Names.
For many of us.
I always like.
The name.
Wonderful.
Counselor.
I don't know.
That's for me.
Personally.
You might.
Identify.
More.
With mighty.
God.
Or everlasting.
Father.
Or prince.
Of peace.
And we also.
Have to think.
That light.
Will change.
It will illuminate.
An area.
It changes.
Not only.
The room.
It changes.
The world.
And it changes.
Our very life.
We think.
Of God.
Providing.
Away.
God.
Giving.
His grace.
A light.
That shines.
Through.
To all.
Of us.
And we think.
Of the grace.
Of God.
That grace.
Is being.
Given.
Because.
Of that light.
And I want you.
To think.
As God.
Shines.
The light.
Providing.
Us.
Hope.
Peace.
Joy.
And love.
How will you.
Respond.
To the grace.
That is given.
To you.
In all.
Of these things.
I want you.
To think.
About.
How important.
It is.
For us.
To really.
Think.
Of how.
Can we.
Respond.
To such.
A powerful.
And beautiful.
Light.
The light.
That comes.
From God.
May we.
Receive.
The light.
May we.
Draw.
Near.
To.
The presence.
Of God.
I don't know.
About you.
But.
God's.
Presence.
Is where.
I want to be.
And I hope.
That for all of you.
That light.
That sense.
Of comfort.
Knowing.
That there's.
No more darkness.
That there's.
Comfort.
And healing.
From that light.
That you.
Receive.
The light.
And you.
Go.
Towards.
The light.
That it will.
Illuminate.
In your mind.
And in your heart.
And cause you.
To respond.
To grow.
Into it.
And to be.
Transformed.
In it.
And may you.
Walk.
In the light.
The light.
Of truth.
You know.
My.
Mother.
Would always.
Ask me that question.
She's.
Would always.
Be in prayer.
And ask.
Are you walking.
In the light.
Of truth.
And I remember.
Hearing that.
As a kid.
And I didn't always.
Understand.
Nor did I always.
Like hearing that.
But as I got older.
I thought.
There was some wisdom.
In that.
And certainly.
We can think.
For all of us.
May we walk.
In the light.
Of truth.
That comes.
From our Lord.
And our God.
May we respond.
Accordingly.
And the powerful thing.
That we can think of.
Is that.
No matter.
Who you are.
No matter.
What it is.
You have gone through.
What you're going through.
What you will go through.
God calls you.
To his light.
He calls you.
For transformation.
He calls you.
Into his very presence.
Not to be in darkness.
You don't have to raise your hand.
But I know.
Of a time.
When I was in darkness.
And I know.
For many of us.
We can think of times.
Where we have been.
In darkness.
God calls us.
To be in his presence.
To be in the light.
Of truth.
The light of love.
To receive his grace.
And this sense.
Of being illuminated.
This sense of safety.
And security.
I mean.
How many of you.
Have ever seen.
Videos.
Of people.
Who are.
Crawling through caves.
And they get lost.
And they.
Finally see the light.
That's piercing through.
And they know.
Where they need to go.
And I want us to think about.
Such kind of imagery.
That that light.
That light.
And that light.
That light.
That light gives us comfort.
And we can think.
Of where we are.
In our own life.
To draw near to God.
Because he's calling.
For all of us.
To respond to him.
And I hope.
That for all of you.
We can all.
Think of.
Where we are at.
You know.
Where you're at.
In your own journey.
May you respond.
Accordingly.
I want you to think, let Christ meet you where you are at in your current state.
Are you in darkness?
Have you turned from the darkness and you're seeing the light?
Are you giving him attention?
Are you ready to go towards the light?
And are you ready to walk in that light?
And as we have lightened up these candles, I want us to think of how powerful even but one light can be in a room.
Think of the flame.
Think of the fire.
Think of the light that is illuminated from that.
And think of the flame that burns within our hearts.
I want us to think of all of this and we're going to have our ushers come around and we're going to light our candles together.
It's a time for us to not only sing Silent Night, but also a time for us to think for a moment of how important the light of Christ is.
And now how that light should be in our minds and in our hearts.
May it be ignited within us.
May it transform us, lead and guide us.
I'm going to go ahead and pray and we'll go ahead and light those candles.
Father God, we thank you for this time, this chance and this opportunity for us to go over the light of Christ.
Your grace is so powerful.
Much as your love and your joy, your truth, all of these things.
And I just pray for every single person who is here in this room and every single person who is online, that they may receive the light.
They may respond to it.
And as they hold their candle, may they know that they are not alone and that you have provided safety and security because of your love and your grace for us.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, him having humble beginnings.
May we think of how you love each and every one of us.
And you call for us to enter in your presence and to become more like you.
We love you.
We praise you.
We glorify you.
And we honor you.
It is in the name of Jesus that we pray.
And we all say together, amen, church.
Amen.
Thank you for joining us for this Christmas Eve service.
I really hope that as you listened, you can picture that room being filled with candlelights.
We praise each small flame as a reminder to remind us that the light of Christ shines in the darkness, in the world, and in our own very lives.
You know, my mother used to ask me, are you walking in the light of truth?
When I used to hear that, I really didn't like hearing that.
I didn't fully understand what it meant.
But as I got older, I began to understand the wisdom in that question.
The light of Christ is the light of truth, and it calls for us to be transformed in his name.
Tonight, wherever you are, I want you to know this.
You are not alone.
God has provided safety and security in his salvation because of his love and his grace.
The light has come.
Jesus Christ was born in humble beginnings to bring light to all of us.
So let me ask you, ask yourself this question.
Where are you at in your own spiritual journey?
Are you in darkness?
Have you turned from the darkness?
Are you looking for the light?
The light is there.
Go towards it, and may you walk in the light.
May the light of Christ illuminate your mind and your heart.
May it transform you.
May it lead you and guide you.
And may you receive the light and draw near to the presence of God.
From all of us here at Ontario Community Church, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas.
May the light of Christ shine brightly in your life.
God bless you, and thank you for joining us.
Bye-bye.
May the light of Christ.