Christmas Eve
Message Title: “All is Bright”
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. Luke 2:1-7 (NIV)
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2:1-7 (NIV)
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:1-7 (NIV)
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NLT)
Light only works in the darkness.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 1:1-5 (NIV)
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 (NIV)
It wasn’t so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. Ephesians 2:1-6 (MSG)
You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. Ephesians 2:1-6 (MSG)
It’s a wonder God didn’t lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Ephesians 2:1-6 (MSG)
Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. Ephesians 2:1-6 (MSG)
If you’ve never seen light… the darkness seems normal.
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Ephesians 5:8-14 (NLT)
Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. Ephesians 5:8-14 (NLT)
But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said… Ephesians 5:8-14 (NLT)
“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light. Ephesians 5:8-14 (NLT)
Light revels what you can’t see.
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine... Isaiah 9:2-7 (NLT)
For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod… The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. Isaiah 9:2-7 (NLT)
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:2-7 (NLT)
His government and its peace will never end. Isaiah 9:2-7 (NLT)
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” - C. S. Lewis
