Message Notes

Series Intro: This advent, we’re getting ready to celebrate Jesus’ birth through a celebration of Christmas Lights—the ways that Scripture reveals Jesus brings light to our world as the Light of Creation, Light in the Darkness, Light for the Nations, Light of Praise, and Light of All Humanity.

• Traditionally, Christmas lights symbolize the coming of Jesus, the light of the world, who entered into our darkness.
• How we observe time shapes us—so we want to be intentional with our preparation for Christmas this year by looking at how Jesus’ light shines in the darkness of our world through what the Old Testament and New Testament say about His coming.

Light

• In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. (Genesis 1.1-5 NIV)
• Light drives away darkness and makes everything else possible.

Dark

• God creates light, but it becomes dark. Men, women, and the trickster who opposes God (often called the devil or Satan) are cursed for their embrace the darkness.

Light in the Dark

• And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. (Genesis 3.15 NIV)
• These words are not just a curse in the dark—this is a promise of restored light. The darkness won’t last forever. Light will come again.
• The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1.5 NIV)

Practices for Preparation

• Put up Christmas Lights
• Enjoy Christmas Lights
• Share Christmas Light
• Light Christmas Lights

Suggested Resources

• A Time for Wonder (Advent Devotional)
• Advent, Tish Harrison Warren (The Fullness of Time Series)
• Christmas, Emily Hunter McGowin (The Fullness of Time Series)
• Advent Word Studies, The Bible Project (videos)
• Living the Christian Year, Bobby Gross (book)
• Arise Christmas Songs (Spotify Playlist)

For Reflection

• How does today’s message resonate with you?
• What questions does this message raise for you?
• What actions does this message encourage you to take?
• How can you dig deeper into today’s message?

Take Your Next Steps

Remember: Jesus loves you right where you are, but He loves you too much to leave you there.

• Want to talk to someone about giving your allegiance to Jesus? Let us know.
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