Christmas Eve Candlelight Services (3)

In one paragraph

This was a Christmas Eve service at First B Jackson built around readings of the nativity story from the New Living Translation, with Pastor leading the congregation through Scripture, song, and candlelight. The through line was a simple one: Jesus came as the light of the world, and those who trust in him are called to carry that light to others. The service opened with the Old Testament promises...

Read together

1. Isaiah 7:14 prophecy that the virgin will conceive and call his name Emmanuel
2. Isaiah 9:6-7 child born to us, son given, government on his shoulders, names including Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace
3. Micah 5:2 Bethlehem Ephrathah small among Judah yet a ruler will come from you
4. Matthew 1:18-24 account of Mary's pregnancy, Joseph's dream, angel's instruction to name him Jesus
5. Luke 2:1-20 census, birth in Bethlehem, shepherds and angel announcing the Messiah in a manger
6. Matthew 2:1-11 wise men seeking the newborn king, Herod's inquiry, star leading to the child, gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh
7. John 3:16 God so loved the world that he gave his Son so whoever believes has eternal life, said during the offering
8. John 8:12 Jesus says I am the light of the world, follow me and you won't walk in darkness
9. John 1:5 the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it, said at candle lighting
10. Matthew 5 you are the light of the world, a town on a hill cannot be hidden, let your light shine before others

Talk about it

1. Pastor Michael paused during the shepherd narrative to point out how encouraging it must have been for Mary and Joseph to have strangers show up confirming the manger detail they had been given. When has God sent someone or something alongside you to confirm that you were on the right track?
2. The scripture readings traced prophecy from Isaiah through to the birth account. What does it do to your faith to see those older promises line up with what actually happened in Bethlehem?
3. Herod heard the same news as the wise men but responded with fear and deception rather than worship. What do you think it is about Jesus that some people find threatening rather than comforting?
4. The closing message drew a line from John 3:16 through to John 8:12, connecting God's gift of His Son with Jesus calling Himself the light of the world. How do those two ideas connect for you personally?
5. Jesus says in Matthew 5 that His followers are the light of the world, a light not meant to be hidden. What does it look like in your everyday life to let that light shine rather than cover it up?