Jesus: The Light of the World at Christmas
Summary
In this Christmas series, we explore the profound truth that Jesus is the Light of the World, a light revealed amidst the darkness that covered the earth before His birth. Isaiah 60:2 reminds us of this darkness, but also of the glory of the Lord rising upon us. The birth of Jesus, as recounted in Luke 2:8-20, is a pivotal moment where the light pierces through the darkness, offering hope and salvation. The shepherds, humble and unassuming, are the first to witness this revelation. Their story is a testament to God's choice of the lowly and the unexpected to carry His message. Despite their menial status, the shepherds respond with faith and urgency, leaving their flocks to seek the newborn Savior and then spreading the good news to others.
This narrative challenges us to reflect on our own lives during the Christmas season. It prompts us to consider what this time reveals about our character and priorities. Amidst the busyness, we are called to focus on what truly matters—our relationship with Christ and our response to His gift. The shepherds' willingness to share the light they encountered serves as a model for us. We are encouraged to let the light of Jesus shine through us, not hidden away, but visible to all.
The Christmas season is a reminder of the generosity and love that should characterize our lives. It is a time to share the gospel and extend kindness to those in need, as exemplified by the story of helping a young man in need. This act of compassion reflects the heart of Christmas—giving of ourselves to bring hope and light to others. As we celebrate, let us remember that Jesus, the Light of the World, came to dispel darkness and bring salvation. May we be inspired to carry this light into the world, sharing His love and hope with those around us.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Light in Darkness: Jesus' birth brought light into a world shrouded in darkness, fulfilling God's promise of hope and salvation. This light is available to us today, inviting us to step out of darkness and into His glorious presence. [01:30]
2. The Humble Shepherds: God chose shepherds, humble and lowly, to first witness and proclaim the birth of Jesus. This choice reminds us that God values open hearts over worldly status, and He often uses the unexpected to fulfill His purposes. [05:57]
3. Reflecting on Priorities: The Christmas season challenges us to examine our priorities and make room for what truly matters—our relationship with Christ and sharing His love with others. Amidst the busyness, we must find time to reconnect with Him. [11:23]
4. Generosity and Compassion: Christmas is a time to embody generosity and compassion, extending kindness to those in need. Our actions should reflect the heart of Jesus, who came to serve and give His life for others. [19:20]
5. Sharing the Light: We are called to be bearers of Jesus' light, sharing His hope and love with a world in need. As light overcomes darkness, our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of Christ's presence. [20:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:30] - Jesus, the Light Revealed
- [02:50] - The Shepherds' Encounter
- [03:44] - Humble Beginnings
- [04:41] - The Life of a Shepherd
- [05:57] - God's Choice of the Lowly
- [07:16] - Responding to God's Call
- [09:12] - Proclaiming the Good News
- [09:50] - Christmas and Our Character
- [11:23] - Prioritizing What Matters
- [12:02] - Generosity in Action
- [13:55] - The Heart of Christmas
- [16:05] - Church's Generosity
- [17:28] - A Story of Compassion
- [20:25] - Sharing the Light of Jesus
- [21:42] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 60:2
- Luke 2:8-20
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Isaiah 60:2 say about the state of the world before the coming of Jesus? How does this relate to the theme of darkness and light in the sermon? [01:30]
2. In Luke 2:8-20, who were the first people to hear about the birth of Jesus, and what was their initial reaction? [02:50]
3. How did the shepherds respond after visiting Jesus, and what does this tell us about their role in spreading the news of His birth? [09:12]
4. According to the sermon, why might God have chosen shepherds to be the first witnesses of Jesus' birth? [07:16]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the choice of shepherds as the first witnesses of Jesus' birth suggest about God's values compared to societal values? [05:57]
2. How does the sermon suggest that the Christmas season can reveal our character and priorities? What might this reveal about one's spiritual life? [09:50]
3. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to embody generosity and compassion during the Christmas season? How does this reflect the heart of Jesus? [19:20]
4. How does the concept of Jesus as the "Light of the World" challenge believers to live differently in a world that still experiences darkness? [20:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current priorities during the Christmas season. Are there activities or commitments you need to reconsider to focus more on your relationship with Christ? [11:23]
2. The shepherds shared the good news of Jesus' birth with urgency. How can you share the message of Jesus with those around you this Christmas? [09:12]
3. Consider a recent situation where you had the opportunity to show generosity or compassion. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future? [19:20]
4. In what ways can you let the light of Jesus shine through you in your daily interactions? Identify one specific action you can take this week to be a light to someone in need. [20:25]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of having an open heart. How can you cultivate an open heart to God's calling in your life, especially during this busy season? [07:16]
6. Think about a person in your life who might be experiencing darkness or hardship. How can you offer them hope and support during this Christmas season? [20:25]
7. Reflect on the story of helping the young man in need. How can you be more aware of the needs around you and take action to help, even in small ways? [19:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus, the Light in Our Darkness
The birth of Jesus marked the arrival of divine light into a world enveloped in spiritual darkness. This light, as prophesied in Isaiah 60:2, signifies hope and salvation, inviting humanity to step out of the shadows and into the presence of God. The darkness that once covered the earth is dispelled by the glory of the Lord, offering a new beginning for all who choose to embrace it. Today, this light continues to shine, calling us to leave behind our own darkness and walk in the transformative power of Christ's presence. [01:30]
Isaiah 9:2 (ESV): "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone."
Reflection: What areas of your life feel overshadowed by darkness, and how can you invite Jesus' light to illuminate them today?
Day 2: The Shepherds' Humble Witness
God's choice of shepherds to first witness the birth of Jesus underscores His preference for the humble and lowly. These shepherds, despite their modest status, were entrusted with the profound revelation of the Savior's birth. Their story is a powerful reminder that God values open hearts over worldly status and often uses the unexpected to fulfill His divine purposes. The shepherds' immediate response to seek out Jesus and share the good news exemplifies a faith that transcends societal expectations. [05:57]
1 Corinthians 1:27-28 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are."
Reflection: In what ways can you embrace humility and openness to God's unexpected plans in your life today?
Day 3: Prioritizing Christ Amidst the Busyness
The Christmas season often brings a whirlwind of activities and distractions, challenging us to examine our priorities. Amidst the busyness, it is crucial to focus on what truly matters—our relationship with Christ and our response to His gift. The shepherds' willingness to leave their flocks and seek the newborn Savior serves as a model for us to prioritize our spiritual journey. This season invites us to reconnect with Jesus, ensuring that our lives reflect His love and light to those around us. [11:23]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to prioritize your relationship with Christ amidst your daily responsibilities?
Day 4: Embodying Generosity and Compassion
Christmas is a time to embody the generosity and compassion that Jesus exemplified throughout His life. The story of helping a young man in need reflects the heart of Christmas—giving of ourselves to bring hope and light to others. Our actions should mirror the love and service of Jesus, who came to serve and give His life for others. This season challenges us to extend kindness to those in need, allowing our lives to be a testament to the transformative power of Christ's love. [19:20]
Proverbs 19:17 (ESV): "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."
Reflection: Who in your community could benefit from your generosity and compassion today, and how can you take action to help them?
Day 5: Sharing the Light of Jesus
As followers of Christ, we are called to be bearers of His light, sharing His hope and love with a world in need. The light of Jesus is not meant to be hidden but to shine brightly, overcoming the darkness around us. Our lives should reflect the transformative power of Christ's presence, inspiring others to seek the same light. This calling challenges us to actively share the gospel and extend the love of Jesus to those we encounter, becoming beacons of hope in our communities. [20:25]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: How can you intentionally share the light of Jesus with someone in your life today, and what impact do you hope it will have?
Quotes
"Today we are talking about His light being revealed, but as we remember back to last week and pre-Jesus' birth, right, there was widespread darkness. Isaiah 60 verse 2 says, Darkness as black as night covers all of the nations of the earth, but, big but, the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you." [00:00:12] (29 seconds)
"Jesus is coming, and we understand that the integrity and the character of who God is is that He does what He promises, but we get to Jesus' birth, and the light of the light of the world. The light of the world is revealed to the earth, into this darkness that was, and in many ways still is, but the opportunity of light is there through Jesus' life." [00:00:41] (31 seconds)
"Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. Don't be afraid, he said. I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior, yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David, and you will recognize him by the sign." [00:02:02] (27 seconds)
"When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, Let's go to Bethlehem. Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph, and there was the baby lying in the manger." [00:02:50] (19 seconds)
"After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them." [00:03:09] (29 seconds)
"The shepherds' job is to care for the flock. Whether it's lambs or whether it's, goats. They would meander along with this flock and they would go with them. They had a very nomadic lifestyle going from pasture to pasture just trying to find some amount of area for these animals to graze. They lived outdoors." [00:04:41] (26 seconds)
"Do you ever feel that your job is not that important in the world? Or that maybe you don't do it as well as you maybe hoped you could? Or you feel like you have a lot to learn. I'm kind of in that spot where I'm being stretched into so many different places right now, most of them in very, very good ways, but yet I'm being stretched." [00:06:03] (22 seconds)
"God reveals so many times through scripture that it's not the important things of this world. It's not having all of the money. It's not having all of the fame and the prestige. That's not what he desires for us. He desires for us to come to him with a pure heart of worship." [00:08:38] (23 seconds)
"What are your priorities throughout the Christmas season? As we looked at our schedule going up for the next month, there is very little time to be spent doing nothing. We had Jacob's band concert last week. I had a meeting for volleyball that starts in January. I had a practice for playing out on Main Street and then we actually played out on Main Street." [00:10:46] (26 seconds)
"Paula mentioned earlier I was at the dollar store yesterday and at the end of my transaction, yeah I bought, Leon's laughing at me because I bought zip ties. Don't ever buy zip ties at the dollar store. Not worth it. Anyways, I digress. I was at the end of my transaction, and they said, oh, do you want to donate 50 cents to something? And I said, sure, let's do that." [00:12:24] (30 seconds)
"So as we enter through the Christmas season and we see who we are revealed through this season, take this opportunity to bring the light of Jesus in, to turn that light up, not to put it under a basket on the floor, not to kick it under your bed, but to let it sit on a stand where it can be shown around. Remember, there was darkness. In many ways, there still is darkness." [00:16:28] (31 seconds)
"The light of the world is established and lived his life and he's given the Holy Spirit to each and every one of us to present the gospel out to a world that needs it because it is hurting so bad. As I talk with this young man, he feels that there is nothing for him to do. There's no right move to make." [00:20:33] (26 seconds)
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