The People Walking in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light

December 25, 2016 1 comment advent, Christmas, Life

Christmas Readings and Carols

O Holy Night

Narrative 1: The People are Walking In Darkness

The people are walking in darkness. Long lays the weary world.

For hundreds of years, God had been silent.

The people cry out:

Does God still see us?

Does God notice our lives as we sit in the shadows waiting for light to come?

Chains hold us back like slaves.

Oppression presses in on every side and it does not cease.

A yoke burdens God’s people like a heavy bar across their shoulders.

They fall under the rod of their oppressor – The evil one, the enemy of God prowls around in the darkness.   

The people are walking in darkness, they are living in the land of deep darkness. The look around and see only distress and fearful gloom.

The earth is pining for a night divine, but only nights of distress are to be found.

Come to us – “with us God”!

We want to be the “with YOU” people!

Ransom the captives – Emmanuel!

We mourn in lonely exile away from your presence.

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night!

May death’s dark shadows be put to flight.

Greed, envy, strive and quarrels –

With us God will you make them cease!

We desperately ask you to fill the whole world with your presence and your peace…

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Narrative 2: Light Breaks Into the Darkness

Rejoice, Rejoice Emmanuel!

Light breaks into the darkness!

The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned!

The true light that gives light to everyone is coming into the world!

The word, the light, became flesh and moved into the neighborhood.

In him was life and that life was the light to all humanity.

The life-light pierced the darkness in a most humble entrance.

A little baby.

For a child was born—for us!

the gift of a son—for all of us!

He’ll will be stronger and more powerful than any government!

His names will be:

Wonderful Counselor,

    Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

    Prince of Peace


He will reign on the throne for ever and ever.

God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

The light is emanating justice and righteousness that will never end.

Light broke into the darkness and changed everything.

An angel of light appeared to scared teenagers – and changed everything.

Light filled the sky and the shepherds were told an amazing story – a story that changed everything.

The light of a star shone brightly as a guide for the magi – and as they saw the radiant beams from tiny saviors face – they knew… this changes everything.

Jesus came into the world. He is the light of the world.

Whoever follows him will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.

Though the silence of night and darkness may be deafening all around you… the light shines bright in the midst of the darkest night.

Light pierced the darkness….

Love’s pure light of redeeming grace… came to us, and changed everything.

Silent Night

Narrative 3: Light Brings Hope in the Darkness

Jesus, Lord at they birth.

Jesus, Lord, savior, leader and friend…

Born into a manger… but already a king.

The light of Jesus brings hope in the darkness!

The light compels his young mother to sing:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

God’s mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation!”

The light fills Jesus’ relative Zachariah to exclaim:

“God will give his people the knowledge of salvation

 through the forgiveness of their sins,

because of the tender mercy of our God,

the rising sun will come to us from heaven

and will shine on those living in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet onto the path of peace.”

Jesus the light of life causes an old man Simeon to lift up this praise:

“Sovereign Lord, you have done as you have promised,

My eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all nations!

A light for revelation to all people!”

The light brings hope.

Jesus, the light of the world. Our hope, A firm foundation, our refuge, our strong tower. Our deliverer.

Jesus, our king, will reign forever more.

I Will Not Be Shaken

Narrative 4: Hope Gives us Confidence to be Children of Light

Hope in Jesus, the light of the world, give us confidence to be children of light.

For God let light shine into the darkness and made his light shine in our hearts to give US the light of life!

The Light Of The World, tells us that WE TOO can be light to a dark and hopeless world.

You were once in darkness, but now you are in the light of Jesus, so live as children of light!

We are children of light and we do not belong to the darkness we do not belong to the night.

We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, letting our light shine so that that we may declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light!

We can come in faithful adoration to worship The Light Of The World…

Who gives us confidence to be joyful, triumphant even as we declare “our God is a God of love and light!”

Come all of you faithful ones and let your light shine to others so that our God will be glorified and adored!

O Come All Ye Faithful

Benediction: Children of Light Go Out in Joy

May the light of the world be your joy!

May you declare the wonders of his love to a broken world!

May you embrace the glories of his righteousness!

May you go out in joy as children of light!

Merry Christmas!

Joy to the World