The Light of Christ

December 25, 2022 Christmas Day John 1:1-14 Year A Prelude Lighting of the Christ Candle Welcome Call to Worship L: Rejoice! Happy Christmas to everyone! P: Happy Christmas to you also! L: Christ our Savior is born. P: God’s Light is poured into the world. L: O Come, let us celebrate this wonderful gift. P: Let us praise God with shouts of joy and singing! (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Song O Come All Ye Faithful UMH 234 Children’s Sermon OBJECTS SUGGESTED: Candles, a flashlight, picture of a lighthouse, a sunrise, a sunset. Today we celebrate Christmas Day, the day our Savior, Jesus Christ was born. When we remember the Christmas story we think about how the shepherds in the field were visited by an angel and told about the birth of Jesus and “the glory of the Lord shone around them” (Luke 2:9). And we remember how the wise men followed a star until they came to the place where Jesus was born. We get the idea that both the shepherds and the wise men saw a bright light. Today let’s talk about light. It comes from many sources. Can you name a few? Here are some ideas. During the Christmas season we see light coming from advent candles. If we need to find something that is in an unlighted space or if we walk outside after dark a flashlight is a good source of light. We have electric lights in our home to light the space around our dining table or near the chair where we read. A lighthouse is another source of light. It helps boats out on the water find their way and often marks the areas of rocks and danger. Then, there is the beautiful natural light that comes from the sun. The sun gives us special gifts of light in the morning, at sunrise, and when we are getting ready to go to sleep, at sunset. In the Bible we read about John the Baptist who told everyone that “The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world” (1:9). He was talking about Jesus. Jesus is the most important, true source of our light. It is the kind of light that warms us from the inside and feels like love. The light that comes from Jesus helps us find our way and from it we learn how to honor God and how to treat others with love. This is a big idea – that Jesus would give us light that would light us on the inside and shine out so that others could see our love. Merry Christmas. Scripture quotations from the World English Bible Copyright 2007, Richard Niell Donovan Huh. That’s a funny Christmas story. Let’s see here, I brought a Nativity set to help me tell the story, but I’m not sure that any of these pieces are in the story that I just read. (Take the pieces out of the nativity scene as you mention them.) I didn’t hear about wise men, or shepherds. There wasn’t an angel, either. Mary and Joseph weren’t there. I didn’t even hear about a baby! Well, I guess I brought the wrong things to tell the story today . . . wait, let’s read a little further in the story. (Read John 1:6-14) Did you hear that? The Word of God became flesh and lived among us! That sounds like a baby to me! Let’s put the baby back then. When we talk about the Word of God we often think of stories. Well, before we had so many books people had to remember stories so that they wouldn’t get lost. And babies need people to remember them so that they can get food and be taken care of and not get lost, so let’s put Mary and Joseph back. What good is a story if it doesn’t get told? That’s the best way to learn a story, right? To hear someone tell it and then tell it back? Just like the angels told the story with their song! And who did they tell? A story needs to be heard, right? That’s right, they told the shepherds. So I guess we should put the angel and the shepherds back, too! Alright, now all the people here know the story, but they all live here. What this story needs is someone to help spread it around. I wonder who we could find to come hear the story and then take it with them? The wise men! That’s it! Three people from a far away land who came to see and hear and who will take the story with them to their homes. Look! Out Nativity set is complete again! And you thought that this wasn’t a Christmas story! Word of God, teach us the stories of our faith, be always on lips and always burning in our hearts. Be with as we hear the story again and again, and give us the courage to tell the story again and again. Amen May God’s Word shine a light into your life today and always. ~GB Prayer The celebration of Christmas has just begun. Even though many of us have gone through the gift giving and receiving, have feasted with family and friends, there is yet another gift which has been given. You, O Loving God, have wrapped the gift of your Son Jesus Christ around our lives. The light of your love through him is shining brightly. It is not a harsh light, but a multitude of bright colors that remind us of the wondrous ways you love us. Open our hearts and spirits as we hear the words of your holy scriptures, and the beautiful music. Bring us to you with such joy that it will seem as though our feet aren’t even touching ground. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Passing the Peace Hymn What Child is This? UMH 219 Scripture John 1:1-14 Sermon The Light of Christ [Note: Written by Rev. Russell N. Gallimore, from the Viewpoint of the Innkeeper. To be given from memory. Possible props: a stool; a manger before which to kneel at end of story] Would you allow me to be personal? I have an unusual story to tell, and I delight in telling it. My work brings me into contact with many people. In fact, I deal with all kinds of people from the humblest country folk to the highest officials. But the event I most vividly recall happened at one of the year's peak seasons. Our country's leader had felt that additional taxes were needed for us to meet our budget, so he had urged all local citizens to have their names registered at the polls, so they could be duly taxed. Of course, this meant many thousands had to make their way across the countryside to the city which represented their political interests. I recall the weather...still cool...although the fresh smell of spring was in the air. Grass was even good enough for limited grazing on the nearby hillsides. And the days...rather pleasant, but I must admit the nights were somewhat chilly. But one night in particular stands out in my memory. It seems that the crowds had been unusually large that day. And many had come by seeking lodging for the night, as they lived at too great a distant to return home for bedtime. Already I had turned dozens away to seek shelter elsewhere. [If stool is used, sit here] Exhausted, I had dozed off at the register's counter when I was awakened by a gentle "tap-tap-tapping" on the counter-top. "Coming to" with a start, I made out the figure of a young couple, standing in the lingering shadows of the lamp light. "May I help you?" I asked, [jumping-up and off of stool]. As the young man stood by his pretty companion, he began to speak in a low, trembling voice: "Do you have room for....?" "Room!" I blurted bluntly. "No! No!" There's no room here. You should have come earlier, or at least sent me word. You'll have to go elsewhere!" Plopping back down on my stool [sit on stool], I was prepared to continue my nap, when, much to my surprise, the young man spoke again: "But Sir, you're got to have room!” Angrily I jumped up and shouted at him [arise from stool], "I don't have to have anything. I've already told you I can't take care of you, so beat it! I've gotta get some rest!" But patiently and kindly he responded, "Sir, please…my wife is “expecting” a baby right away. We’ve tried everywhere. All the rooms are full. Can’t you give her someplace? Please?” Looking closer, I noticed that the young man spoke the truth about his wife, and then I began to really feel sorry for them. I thought for a moment [scratching my head], then I said, “Well, you do need a place to stay. If you’re not too choosy, I believe I can provide something for you. Come with me!” So I led them to a cobweb-covered cattle-cave nearby. It wasn’t the best of surroundings, I must confess, but it did offer some shelter from the cold and some privacy. Though I considered it the meagerest of offerings, the man was overjoyed and couldn’t stop thanking me for my kindness. I told him he could settle up with me the next morning. I left and went back to my stool and soon forgot all about them as I dozed off into dreamland. Lost in the midst of dream castles in my peaceful slumber, I was again awakened, this time rudely, by a rather loud “Rap-rap-rapping” at the door. Jumping up and hastily pacing to the door, I was greeted by three sheepherders. They apologized profusely for stirring me from my sleep. It was rather obvious from the start that they weren’t interested in a room. Then they went on to explain why they had come, the best I recall, they told this fantastic story: "Sir," they said, "we were watching over our flocks out on the hillsides nearby, when 'Lo, an angel of the Lord appeared unto us, and the glory of the Lord shone around us, and we were really afraid. And then the angel said to us, ‘Don't be afraid, for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.’ Each of us looked at the other in amazement and wondered if the angel knew what he were talking about, when he continued: ‘Now listen to me, men: this shall be a sign for you Look! Yonder in the East...there in the East is a brightly shining star; follow that star and you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ He had no more than finished, sir, when suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.’ Immediately we rejoiced at the sight of the star. So we said to one another, 'Let's go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known unto us.' And so we came with haste, sir, following the star, and you know, its light appears to fall over your place here. So we...well. . .we wondered if you could tell us anything about the Christ-child?" It seemed like a fantastic story to me at first. I couldn’t recall anything about a baby connected to my business…after all, I wasn’t running a hospital, much less a maternity ward. But they insisted I must know something. Since they seemed so intent no finding out more, I quickly recalled the guests I had bedded down for the night. And then it dawned on me…I had led a couple who were expecting an addition to the family to the cattle-cave. “Oh, yes!” I exclaimed, “Maybe I do know something about the baby. Come with me!” Excitedly, I led them to the meager place, and lo and behold! We exclaimed in unison, ‘It’s a baby crying!’ Rushing in, we found it just as the shepherds had said, a newborn babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger [move toward manger, if used as a prop]. Then the shepherds, one by one, knelt down beside the manger in such a humble manner. I can’t really explain what happened to me after that, but somehow I was touched and moved to kneel beside that manger, too! [Kneeling while speaking] Not only had a baby been born near my place of business, but strangely, I felt this babe had also been born in my heart! [Arising] Oh, incidentally, I never did settle up with that couple for the night’s lodging. I just felt I had been more than repaid with the unsearchable riches of Christ! That’s my story. How often it comes to mind! Just think! I almost had no room for the Christ! And as I have reflected on that across the years, it seems to me something of a parable of the human predicament: so often people exclude the Christ from the inn of their hearts! How about you? Have you made room for the Christ? [Turn toward the congregation and begin to move away from manger] Oh, one other thing…I think I forgot to introduce myself. I’m the innkeeper! ChristianGlobe Networks, Viewpoint of the Innkeeper, by Russell N. Gallimore As a matter of fact, all of us are innkeepers for the baby Jesus. It is our job to not only make room in our hearts, but to make room in our relationships, in our activities in our world the Spirit if Christ. Merry Christmas. Song Go Tell it on the Mountain UMH 251 Prayer It is interesting, O God of Miracles and Light, that we think of Christmas Day as the final destination for the journey on which we have embarked. We are bathed in that light on this day and reminded that this journey has now begun. For once the light has been given, it cannot be hidden.....it pours out of those whom it has touched. Send us forth into this world in service to the Light. Healing and Comforting God, we have spoken aloud and within our hearts the names of people and situations which need your loving touch. For all the situations in our world this day, where there is warfare, oppression, strife, all the hideous ways in which your beloved people can suffer, God , please lay your hand of healing love on them. Help them to feel your powerful presence with them, guiding and strengthening. These things which we have spoken with our lips and our hearts we offer in confidence of your eternal love and in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment John’s Gospel opens with poetic words, familiar to many of us. What does this mean: “the Word became flesh…and we have seen his glory”? We see, in Jesus, the love of God in human form. When we see God’s generosity, sharing Jesus with the world, we know in our own spirit the desire to follow it. So, today, our joy in the birth of Jesus and our gratitude for the gift of his life, gives us incentive to reflect that joy and gratitude in our own giving. On this last Sunday of 2022, know your giving will allow us to _____________ (be specific!). And, it will encourage you to celebrate Jesus’ birthday with generosity and gratitude. Let us share our Christmas Day gifts, giving thanks for the Word made flesh. Prayer of Thanksgiving Generous God, Thank you for the abundance of gifts you provide to each of your beloved children. Today please receive this offering as one way we show our love for you after seeing the glory of your Word made flesh. AMEN (Disciples of Christ, Center for Faith and Giving) Celebration of Christ's Birth Heaven sings: sing of creation and life; sing of love and light. Earth sings: join the chorus, tell the story of salvation. Let all welcome the Messiah. Sun and moon proclaim the message of divine light. Ocean waves tell of life-giving water. Forests rustle with Spirit-filled wind. Field and vineyard give fruit for a heavenly feast. All peoples marvel at what they see and hear. Join with all of creation in praise. Sing of God's deeds of power and grace. For Jesus Christ is born this day: the One who was foretold by the prophets, and promised in ages past; the One who would triumph over death, and bring us life; the One who would forgive our sin, and heal our wounds; the One who would show us the kingdom of God, and how we might live. Born to set us free … Born to give us life ...Born as a gift ... Heaven sings and earth rejoices: Jesus Christ is born. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Bryan Schneider-Thomas) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook Community Time Benediction When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among others, To make music in the heart. Go in hope, peace, joy, and love…to spread the beauty of Christmas. (“The Work of Christmas” by Howard Thurman) Additional Illustrations