Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (9)

In one paragraph

This was the Christmas Eve service at First B Jackson, a night of scripture readings, congregational singing, and candle lighting built around the arrival of Jesus as the light of the world. Pastor led the gathering through the birth narratives and pointed toward what that birth means for everyone in the room. The evening closed with a candle lighting from the Christ candle, sent out into the...

Read together

1. John 8:12 Jesus declares himself the light of the world; quoted twice during the service
2. Isaiah 7:14 the virgin will conceive and bear a son called Immanuel
3. Isaiah 9:6-7 a child is born, wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace, ruling from David's throne
4. Micah 5:2 Bethlehem Ephrathah, small among Judah, yet a ruler of Israel will come from you
5. John 1:17 God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ, who has revealed God to us
6. John 1:5 the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it
7. Matthew 1:18-25 the birth of Jesus the Messiah, Joseph's dream and the angel's announcement
8. Luke 2:1-20 the census, the birth in Bethlehem, the shepherds and the angel announcing the Savior's birth
9. Matthew 2:1-12 the wise men from the East following the star to find the newborn king
10. Matthew 25:34-40 the king welcoming the righteous, saying what was done for the least of these was done to him
11. Matthew 5:14-16 you are the light of the world; let your light shine before others

Talk about it

1. The Sycamma family read John 8:12, where Jesus says 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.' What does it look like, practically, to follow that light in your own life right now?
2. The reading from Isaiah gives Jesus several names, including Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Which of those names means the most to you this season, and why?
3. The preacher pointed out the contrast between the small-k king Herod and the capital-K King born in Bethlehem. Where do you see that same tension playing out between earthly power and Christ's authority in your own experience?
4. The wise men were led to Jesus through something they already knew how to read, a star. How has God communicated with you in ways that made sense in the context of your own life?
5. The preacher closed by reading Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus charging us to let our light shine so others glorify God. What is one specific way you could let that light shine through you when you leave here tonight and go back into your regular week?