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Here we are at the final moments before we celebrate the birth of Christ. We have been talking about the journey to this point. Many Christian churches call this journey Advent. The destination is truly in sight right now. The questions of Are We There Yet? are beginning to wain as the kids can see the destination and now the journey is almost over. This journey has probably worn out some of you. You are looking forward to a time to recover from the running around to get everything you need. You may want to lock yourself away from humanity for a few months after dealing with everyone at the mall and in stores. But that is not possible. There is still much to do.
As Christians we cannot hide from people but we must be out among them especially during this season.
A theologian said about this night, “We gather, not just to be warmed by a familiar story and much loved rituals, but to bear with to the light.” Isaiah spoke of this light when in our Old Testament scripture for this evening.Isaiah reminds me of what one professor at seminary said in a sermon. He talked about Country Dark, you know that dark where you cannot see you hand in front of your face. Some of you know this well. You can go outside when you get home and experience this type of darkness. But the light shatters this darkness. The light reaches all corners and completely removes the darkness surrounding us. The pitch-dark land has been covered with the light.
Tonight we lit the Christ candle as a representation of this light in our lives. Of course, Christ was the light that Isaiah spoke of in his prophecy. Christ came into the world not to condemn it but to set it free. Christ came to free us from our sins. Our sins keep us in darkness. Our sins keep us separated from God. Our sins enslave us to the Sin itself and we need the light of Christ to free us from our own sins.
While this thought of being freed from sin may be frightening. There is no reason to be afraid because Christ did not bring hate into the world with him but brought love. And it is through Christ’s love that we are freed and forgiven. When this happens the darkness is removed from our lives just as the darkness of night was removed from the shepherds in the field. These shepherds were sleeping in the field with their flock when angels showed up and awakened them. We know the shepherds were afraid when the angels appeared and some of that fear must have been due to the light they brought. Imagine being outside in the dark and suddenly a great light appears, removing the darkness. I’m sure each and everyone of us would have been filled with great fear.
But, the light and news brought to these shepherds caused them to get up and go. They went to see the light that had come into the world. They went to see Jesus, who left the comfort of heaven. I mean think about the comfort that Jesus had in heaven. Sitting at the right hand of the Father. On a throne in royalty. A place that was clean and filled with love. And Jesus comes to Earth, in a manger surrounded by animals. Does not sound like a place for someone of Jesus’ stature to be born. Sounds more like a place where the poor would’ve had their children. Jesus lowered himself in order to free us. We should be rejoicing with this news. We should be taking this light and freedom to the world.
All to often though, we hold this to ourselves like if we tell others then we lose it and cannot gain it back. We fear telling others because it may bring a fear to them that turns them away. We fear telling others because we don’t want to be viewed as a zealot or crazy person. When we do not share the light with others, then the true light begins to fade in us. The darkness that we once carried begins to fill us again. As we move further and further away. I was thinking about this as I was reading an Advent thought from Bishop Sue. In this thought she talked about Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. We all know the story of Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Bishop Sue pointed to the conversation between Scrooge and Christmas Past, Jacob Marley. Bishop Sue pulled out this part, “When Scrooge says to Jacob Marley, "You are good at business," Marley says, ‘Oh, no. Oh, no. The world was my business. People were my business and I didn't do anything.’”
Here is Marley as a ghost lugging chains around like being slowed and struggling. Well, maybe in his comment we really find why the chains. He will never get the rest he wants because of the needy people he did not pay attention to in this life. Marley did not look at those who had been left out. Friends, it is a message for us as followers of Christ. We are in the business of being among people. We are in the business of seeking out those whom have been forgotten. We are in the same business that Jesus was and is in, which is saving souls. In order to be in this business though we need to allow the light to remove the darkness in our lives.
The thing is, no matter how much darkness surrounds us, Christ’s light can and will overcome the darkness. Christ’s light can remove the Country Dark in our lives. This is the light that all of the world needs to know about. I mean think about it. If we could take the light of Christ to one person before the start of 2020 we will affect about 100 lives. I’m sure the shepherds did not keep what they saw and experienced to themselves. I am sure they told others and introduced them to the light.
Friends, it is a joyful occasion as we get ready to celebrate the birth of the light’s arrival into the world we must remember those who may have not had the chance to experience the light. We need to ensure that we are in the people business and not just good at business like Jacob Marley was. So, be filled with the light that and take that light to all that you meet. Tonight we will close out the service with Silent Night, Holy Night and light candles and as the song ends we will walk out side as a representation of each of us taking the light of Christ into the world. The candles will be lit from the Christ candle. Allow the light of Christ to lighten your path and your soul. As we sing and walk out think remember your participation is your commitment and word to God that you will take the light into the world!