Sermon Tone Analysis

!                The Light of the World , Shine on Us      

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! Isa 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light:

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For generations, the children of God embraced this prophecy of the prophet Isaiah.

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!  Hopeful that a King would bring freedom from their oppressors, and peace to their lives, God’s people waited expectantly for their promised Messiah.

This day we gather to celebrate the wonderful gift of God, wrapped in the person of the baby Jesus – The Wonderful One- the Christ of Christmas.

This is the gift that is at the very heart of the Christmas season – a season rich with tradition,

 alive with music,

and warm with family and friends.

What an awesome reason to celebrate this wonderful holiday!

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But the true wonder of the season is that hope is reborn each Christmas.

Into this dark world, a light is come!

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Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watchd over their flock by night.

 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this /shall be/ a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 

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Energetically

 

Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.



16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

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Luke 2:17 And when they had seen /it/, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard /it/ wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered /them/ in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The shepherds were not the only ones to realize that this was no ordinary baby born that starry night in Bethlehem.

This was the Light of the World.

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The Bible tells us of Simeon, an old man who had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

When Simeon witnessed the baby Jesus being presented at the temple, he proclaimed, Luke2:30 “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

Then there was the old woman Anna, who also saw the baby Jesus there in the temple.

She too, recognized Him as the long awaited Messiah.

And of course there were the wise men from the east.

Following the brilliance of a midnight star, the journeyed far to worship the Light of the world.

(Music ends, “I have seen the Light of the Lord”)

 

To a people walking in darkness, a great Light has dawned.

That was true 2,000 yrs.

ago and it is true today.

(Music begins)   Into our sin-darkened hearts, God has sent the Light of the world.

(Prayer)   Lord Jesus, come shed Your Light on us this day- right here – right now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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God sent His Son, Jesus, into our world to redeem us to Himself.

Jesus lived a perfect life, and His death and resurrection make it possible for us to have a relationship with God as His sons and daughters!

Jesus was Emanuel – God with us!  Just as the shepherds & wise men so long ago bowed to greet their Messiah and King, won’t you welcome Him as your Savior this Christmas?

(Music ends, “Emmanuel”)

 

Emmanuel came into the world as the long awaited Messiah, and He continues to come to us in our need, in our sin and confusion, as our Savior.

Not just King of the Jews, not just King of the World, but He comes this Christmas as King of my heart.

(Music begins)  

Our King is born…let’s rejoice together!

Come, bow, and worship Him!

 

 

 

 

 

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Like those who worshiped the infant Savior that first Christmas, our lives are transformed when we come face to face with Jesus.

Let’s worship Him now, then go from this place as the shepherds did – praising God for His gift of Jesus – the Light of the world!