Yesterday we celebrated Christmas at the Angell house. We started with pictures around the tree and gifts being opened....supper out together with whatever the kids wanted (which happened to be Italian)..Then we drove around and looked at Christmas lights. It really is amazing how many Christmas lights are up.There are Disney characters all over. And Candy Cane Lane and Charlie Brown Crescent and Smurfy Crescent and the Enchanted Forest and a couple hundred Santas and trees filled with thousands of lights. There are literally thousands of lights.I wondered out loud as we drove around and then I asked the question, "How many lights are there in this city?" I was thinking about a specific number, but Kaden, our 4 year-old, was simply satisfied with there being, ".lots and lots of lights, Daddy." That was his answer.
Here's the most amazing thing about Christmas lights or lights of any kind..and it struck me as we drove around..How a few very little lights make the darkness completely disappear..and how so many people are looking for a little light at Christmas time. There were hundreds of cars looking at lights last night - (That light display [name] at the Forestry Farm is now the biggest tourist attraction in Saskatchewan.)
People really like seeing lights...Tonight I want to talk for a little bit about darkness and light and Christmas..and why light is such a vital part of what Christmas is all about..
Let's look at that first Christmas 2000 years ago. As you read the story in the Bible..you'll see a lot of darkness and light, like.out in the hills that night, the shepherds were sitting around a campfire, their sheep resting quietly nearby.the shepherds laugh and talk and doze and finally sleep in the night.then an angel appears to them.and the story says this, "And the glory of the Lord shone around them.and they were terrified." - I guess so. When is the last time you were woken up by the bright light of God and an angel?
But the angel had a message, "Don't be afraid - I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in Bethlehem.a Savior has been born.He is Christ the Lord."
Darkness broken with a great Light.
Or how about - the three wise men - the three kings who brought baby Jesus gifts. The Bible says they followed a star..Well, if they followed a star.when do you think they travelled? At night - in darkness - following a light provided by God.
Darkness broken by God's light.
Or how about the stable where Jesus was born..certainly it was dark and damp and cold and unpleasant...and into this darkness..was born the Light of the world..
See - I believe that first Christmas really was about darkness and light.
.And not much has changed.
Look at our world this Christmas..If you watch the news or read the paper, it certainly seems there is more darkness than light in our world..
September 11th - and all the horrific events of that day - and now a war that leaves yet another country destroyed - Afghanistan..I watched a report on how much this war will affect the basics of heat, power and light in that Nation. This Christmas will be spent in a cold darkness for many - with no joy and no hope - and with only the faint hope of peace..
Darkness has won again and stolen the light. The same type of fear and darkness prevails in the Middle East this Christmas..where senseless bombings occur all too regularly. And the biggest news is about how Israel is banning Arafat from coming to a Christmas Eve service in Bethlehem...and how he boldly professes he will come no matter what. Words of war - leading into a Christmas Eve service..Darkening the place of light.
Joke - I don't know what kind of pressure you had getting everyone dressed and out the door tonight - to this Christmas Eve service. (Is it a battle?) Just relax - the battle there can be fixed tonight..It's not like that everywhere.
Newspaper clippings..
RCMP Constable - with six kids - shot and killed in a senseless shooting (Russell, Manitoba)
Army and airforce men and women.away from their families this Christmas.
Man dead after shots fired at wedding. (Richmond)
The only good news in this paper, are thoughts of a few great Boxing Day sales...
It is a very dark world in which we live. And just in case you don't think darkness affects us here in Saskatoon..all you have to do is look around you..Do you have any idea how many hungry and homeless kids there are in Saskatoon tonight? How many lonely and broken families? How many people with wounds from the past that won't let them see anything but darkness? (My gut tells me) there are people here tonight - hundreds of you that know about darkness, because it has touched your life.You've felt the sting of broken relationships - you've known the pain that comes with failure. You've sensed the brutal feeling of aloneness - especially at Christmas..You know the scars that the past can cause - And you've seen hope disappear as cancer and disease infects a family..
There is no question we can all feel the darkness this Christmas Eve..
You wanna know absence of light? Try doing your Christmas shopping on the last Saturday before Christmas - aggressive was not the word for the woman at Winners..Lineup does not define properly what I saw at Walmart...and Costco - well I just wish I owned Costco..Story - couple in front of me in line..
December 22nd - store is hugely busy - lineups, stress. They bought some garden ornaments from the sale rack. Then they wanted a discount because it was chipped. Then they wanted a box...They were so condescending and mean to the poor gal behind the till...All I could do was watch and then try and spread a little encouragement and light to the cashier. Life is just too short for that staff...Selfishness is a pretty dark thing..
But let's talk about light for a moment..
Listen to this verse from the Bible. It's found in the Book of Isaiah..."The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.on those living in the land of the shadow of death - a light has dawned..For unto us a child is born and he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Folks - listen to those words..Don't you think our world needs a Wonderful Counsellor...a Mighty and Just God..and Everlasting Perfect Father and a Prince who brings peace? Kinda sounds right to me.
The Bible calls Jesus the Light of the world.and folks - I need to tell you the truth this Christmas...Jesus is the only light that will push back the darkness in our lives and in this world.this Christmas..
See, here's what Christmas is really about: It's about understanding that Jesus came to this earth for the sole reason of shining a light into our souls and into the world. He came that we might see that new light and that we might know love and hope and peace and joy as realities..
even though we live in a very dark world..And really, that's what faith is all about - it's about Jesus inside..shining a light into your heart..
The prophet Isaiah gave Jesus another name - Emmanuel - which means "God with us". The message of Christmas Eve is probably the simplest message in all of history - but has the most profound impact. To battle a world filled with darkness and lives that have been riddled by sin and suffering..God has devised a very simple plan with massive results..He sent His Son - Jesus - the Light of the world - into our lives to be our Light. What did Isaiah say? - "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.For unto us a child is born."
See folks - The difference between walking in darkness and walking in light throughout our lives - is all about Emmanuel. It's about God with us.
So - what is it that's creating darkness in your life tonight? Is it a lack of peace? A fear of what's gonna happen to this world? A fear of the future? A fear of failure? People, fear is only the absence of peace..And peace can be found this Christmas..
What is creating darkness for your life tonight? Is it a lack of hope? Are finances crushing you? Do you have relationship struggles that aren't getting better? Family pressure that won't end? Illness that won't get better? And all these things dim your hope.Hope is a huge light-giver in our lives. But when hope is gone, the light seems so very dim..
Hope is in high demand this Christmas..But it is available.
What is it that is creating darkness in your life? Is it absence of love? Don't feel loved? Can't love yourself? Can't love others? Something inside you malfunctions when it comes to love? And a lack of love creates darkness..
Love is so desperately needed in our lives..and available from only one source - God is love. That's how the Bible defines God in a very straightforward, simple definition - God is love.
I don't know what is creating darkness for you this Christmas - (everyone's story is different). I don't know what crushes your hope - or what fears steal your peace or what robs you of love in your life..
I don't know what specifically causes darkness for you..But I know how to help you find the light..
One of my favorite Christmas carols states the answer to these causes of darkness.."The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight."
Jesus - the Light of the world..Jesus - the Prince of Peace..Jesus - the Everlasting Father...Jesus - the definition of our love..Jesus - the One who illuminates our souls..Jesus.
Jesus is the Light that we need this Christmas..
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light." Jesus.
People - it's Christmas Even and our goal tonight is simply this - To provide you with some light..To allow you a few moments where you can choose Jesus - where by faith we simply say - Jesus, I celebrate you this Christmas. Live in my life - light up my hear with your love. Guide me, love me, heal me, cleanse me, hold me, lead me. Meet me in these moments and fill my life with your light....
Tradition at Lakeview Church to light candles on Christmas Eve. Why? What's the significance? Well, it's all about light. This candle is called the Christ candle.and it's surrounded by love, joy, peace, and hope. Tonight, we take the light of Jesus and we allow Him to light up our lives. So when you receive the light - simply whisper a prayer - Come Lord Jesus, breathe life and light into my soul. |
