Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (4)

December 24, 2014

Scripture referenced 9 passages

The passage this message was preached from, in full, with every other passage it reached for.

John 8:12 Jesus declared 'I am the light of the world' when the Christ candle was lit

12 Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

World English Bible · Read it in another translation
Keep this verse

Isaiah 7:14

prophetic reading: the virgin will conceive and bear a son called Emmanuel

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

World English Bible · Read it in another translation

Keep this verse

Isaiah 9:6-7

prophetic reading: a child is born, called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

6 For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.

World English Bible · Read it in another translation

Keep this verse

Micah 5:2

prophetic reading: a ruler of Israel will come from Bethlehem Ephrathah

2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.

World English Bible · Read it in another translation

Keep this verse

Matthew 1:18-2:11

narrative of Jesus's birth, Joseph's dream, the census, the manger, the shepherds, and the wise men

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

19 Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly.

20 But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

21 She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”

22 Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel”; which is, being interpreted, “God with us.”

24 Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself;

25 and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,

2 “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”

3 When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.

5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,

6 ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’”

7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.

8 He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.”

9 They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

11 They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

World English Bible · Read it in another translation

Keep this verse

Luke 2:8-20

the shepherds in the fields, the angel's announcement, and the heavenly host praising God

8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

11 For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”

13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”

15 When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.

17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.

18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.

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

World English Bible · Read it in another translation

Keep this verse

John 3:16

cited as the reason for generous giving: God so loved the world that He gave His Son

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

World English Bible · Read it in another translation

Keep this verse

John 1:5

the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.

World English Bible · Read it in another translation

Keep this verse

Matthew 5:14-16

you are the light of the world; let your light shine before others that they may glorify your Father in heaven

14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.

15 Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.

16 Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

World English Bible · Read it in another translation

Keep this verse

Recap

The message in order, in a few minutes of reading.

This was the Christmas Eve service at First B Jackson, centered on the lighting of the Christ candle to close out the Advent season. The message wove together the nativity readings, the candle lighting ceremony, and a direct invitation to receive Jesus as the light of the world. It was a worshipful night meant for reflection more than instruction.

What was said

Doyle and Diana Vaughn came forward to light the Christ candle, the final candle in the Advent wreath. As they did, they spoke from John chapter eight, verse twelve, where Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." That one verse set the tone for everything that followed.

Scripture was read from the prophets and then from the nativity accounts, tracing the story from Isaiah's promise of Immanuel through the birth in Bethlehem, the shepherds in the fields, and the wise men who followed the star and bowed down to worship the child. The readings were presented as one continuous story, ending with the wise men offering their gifts.

Drawing a line from that moment, the preacher noted that just as the wise men joyfully gave gifts to the Lord, the congregation had the same opportunity. He explained that offerings that night would go toward First B's discretionary fund, which helps people who come to the church in financial need. He shared that he had been able to say yes to someone that very morning, and that being able to do that is a real blessing for the staff.

He then turned to John 3:16, saying the church was taking its cue from God as a generous giver. The point was simple: God gave His Son, and that gift carries the promise of eternal life to anyone who believes.

From there, the preacher returned to John 8:12 and pressed on what it means personally. He described it as a real and present invitation, speaking plainly about spiritual darkness and what it means to be drawn out of it and into light through faith in Jesus. He acknowledged that some in the room had heard this a thousand times, but that others might be hearing it for the first time, and he wanted both groups to know the invitation was for them.

The candle lighting ceremony followed. Elders lit their candles from the Christ candle and passed the flame through the congregation. As the candles were blown out at the end, the preacher pointed to John 1:5, that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it. He wanted the church to be encouraged that nothing in this world can put out the light of Christ that lives in those who trust Him.

He closed by reading Matthew 5:14 through 16, where Jesus calls his followers the light of the world and tells them to let that light shine before others. The congregation then sang "Go Tell It on the Mountain" together to end the service.

Doing a Bible study?

Here is a guide we have prepared for you: the passages in order, questions for the group, and room to write.

Doyle and Diana Vaughn said, 'As we light the Christ candle, may we devote our lives to reflecting his light.' What does it look like in your daily life to actually reflect that light rather than just carry it?
The reading from John 8:12 has Jesus saying He is the light of the world and that whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness. Where in your own life have you experienced that movement from spiritual darkness into spiritual light?

and 3 more questions in the guide

Open the study guide

Read the full transcript 2,507 words

Find in this transcript

0:00 But tonight is just meant to be a a fun, reflective, worshipful night. We're gonna celebrate the Christ in Christmas. How does that sound? Amen. That's why we're here.

0:08 Yes. Reading of scripture, the the choir, they've been working so hard and and, they have got a a great list here, lined up for us. So... And candle lighting. And everyone should have got a candle as they got in?

0:24 Yes? Good. Good. Good. Good.

0:26 You're gonna need that. Not right at this moment. Right now, what I'd like to do is invite up Doyle and Diana Vaughn, and they're going to light the much anticipated Christ candle. Here's our advent wreath. We've been working through this through the the last month, and here we are at the Christ candle night.

0:44 My favorite one, and so we'll let them introduce that to you.

0:48 Today marks the end of our Advent journey. We're... We've prepared our hearts, our minds, and our spirits for the celebration of Christ's entrance into the world. As we light the Christ candle, may we devote our lives to reflecting his light. He is the light of the world.

1:09 In, John, chapter eight and twelve verse, Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of of life.

1:28 God almighty, we thank you tonight for the gift of your son and lord, as we sing these praises to you, would you join our hearts together, lord, in harmony and just silent reflection about how you do, what you do but until then, lord, would you give us voices to just sing out? Thank you God for all that you have done for us and that one baby born that night. We love you. Jesus name, amen. Now, if y'all would, stand up and greet one another and we'll bring it together with oh come all you faithful.

1:58 We'll call you back together with a song.

5:50 Shall we keep going? Alright. Y'all can have a seat.

7:55 The Lord himself will give you the sign. Look, the virgin will conceive a child. She will give birth to a son and will call him Emmanuel, which means God is with us. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders, and he will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace.

8:23 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of heaven's armies will make this happen. But you, oh Bethlehem, Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet, a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past will come from you on my behalf.

11:47 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiance, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.

12:13 Joseph, son of David, the angel said, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet. Look, the virgin will conceive a child. She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means God is with us. When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

12:50 At that time, the Roman emperor Augustus decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.

13:18 He took with him Mary, his fiancee, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no lodging available for them. That night, there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby guarding their flocks of sheep.

20:20 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of God's glory surrounded them. They were terrified. 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 this sign.

20:47 You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth lying in a manger. Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others, the armies of heaven, praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. When the angels 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.

25:18 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 shepherd's 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. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the reign of King Herod.

28:49 About that time, some wise men from Eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem asking, where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his stars that rose, and we have come to worship him. King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of the religious law and asked, where is the messiah supposed to be born? In Bethlehem, in Judea, they said.

29:16 For this is what the prophet wrote. And you, oh, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not leased among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people, Israel. Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. When you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him too.

29:45 After this interview, the wise men went their way, and the star they had seen in the East guided them to Bethlehem. He went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chest and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

30:11 Well, just as the the wise men joyfully gave gifts to the Lord tonight, we too have an opportunity, to be joyful givers as well. I'd like to invite the ushers, to come forward if they would. While they're coming forward, I I do want you to know that you are not under any obligation to give tonight. You really aren't. If you're visiting for the first time, we're just glad that you're here.

30:31 Thanks for checking us out. But if anyone does feel compelled to give tonight, do want you to know what you're giving too. Here at First B, we have a discretionary fund. For those who are are are coming through and they need some financial help or assistance, I got to to to say yes to somebody this morning who was coming in and and needed, I just needed some help, and it was a real blessing to be able to do that for our staff. It is nice for us to be able to say yes.

31:00 So if that is something that you feel led to give, please do. But John three sixteen says that God so loved the world that he gave his son Jesus. We're we're really taking our cue from from from God tonight as being generous givers. That whoever believes in him would not die but would have eternal life. That's quite a promise, isn't it?

31:26 Can we pray together? Lord, we do thank you for being, so loving and so giving, and it is really, God, our pleasure to be able to, take our cue from you and and to be able to do the same. Tonight, God, we do celebrate Jesus, and, we thank you, God, for the the greatest gift that we really could receive, and that is eternal life. So we wanna pause for a moment and give you thanks, that anyone believes in you will have eternal life, and that would be a message that we would take to heart and and and really know that that invitation is for us. Amen.

41:02 So as Jesus, grew and became a man in John eight twelve, he said, I am the light of the world, and if you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness because you'll have the light that leads to life. He's talking about eternal light, eternal life here, spiritual darkness, and light, and and and being drawn out of spiritual darkness and into spiritual light. And tonight, I want you to hear that very real invitation to you because that's where we start out in spiritual darkness, and it's Jesus who draws us to himself. And then as we're drawn to him and we believe on the one whom God has sent, that's where eternal life comes. That's where eternal life comes.

41:46 So tonight, want you to hear that invitation. Some of you have heard that a thousand times and and they accepted it, but maybe there are some who have not and are hearing that for the first time. And I want you to know this is what Jesus is offering here. He's offering eternal life. He's offering for us to to walk in spiritual light rather than spiritual darkness.

42:07 And so I want you to hear that invitation tonight. I want you to know that you can accept that invitation and have that. And in response we're going to close in the candle lighting. I want to invite a couple of our elders to come forward. They're gonna write a light, their candle from that middle candle right there.

42:23 That's the Christ candle, the one we've been looking forward to here for a month now. And they're gonna light from that, and they're gonna pass that light to you. And as they do, would you stand up and... Here's the thing with the candles, let's be careful with them. Many a casualty over Christmas light, over the candle light service.

42:45 So if your, candle is lit, make sure you you keep that candle straight up and down, and the one that's unlit, you tip that candle. K? We'll save some wax dribbling on on somebody. But know that Jesus has passed that light to us and then we're passing that others that to others. That's what this represents here.

43:06 And you all can stand too. Yeah. Let's... Why don't we do that? Let's let's stand while we while we light these candles and the choir is gonna sing a song and I invite you to stand with your candle lit while they sing this song.

46:54 We pray together. God, I thank you that you have come to this world as light so that we no longer have to walk in in spiritual darkness. And thank you, God, for this this very real invitation to us. And I do pray that if you are indeed knocking on the door of our heart that we would respond to you, and know that you truly are the light of the world. You came to give us light, and life and so much more.

47:22 And for that, we give you thanks. Amen. You can now blow out your candles. Here's what I want you to know tonight. There is nothing that can extinguish the true light of Christ that lives in those who put their faith and trust in him.

47:37 Do you know that? There's nothing that can extinguish the light of Christ that lives in us. Nothing. John one five, the light shines in the darkness but the darkness can never extinguish it. So I want you to be encouraged by that tonight.

47:50 I really do. The darkness of this world, which there is darkness in this world, it cannot extinguish the light of Christ. Therefore, you and I have a privilege and that is letting that light of Christ shine through us. Letting it shine through us. Jesus said, he's the light and then look at what he says here in Matthew five fourteen through 16.

48:14 You're the light of the world. He's passing that on to us. A town belt built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.

48:27 And in the same way, let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven. We're gonna close in this last song, Gold Tail on the Mountain. It's a familiar one, I think, for for many. So would you sing it out and sing it loud? Ray and I are gonna play the guitar and bass.

48:46 It's a little louder than the choir. And the choir, would you guys join us too, please? Singing loud. Alright. And we're gonna close with this one.

48:53 Okay? Christ is born Amen. You got you got a little closeout, Greg?

51:25 Amen. May God bless and this this is the greatest season because we're celebrating that birth but may God bless this week as we shared and do. Go tell him on the mount literally. Amen.

Topics

Advent Candle Lighting Christmas Eternal Life Light Of The World

Recap

What was said

Doing a Bible study?

Topics

Share this message

Come find us