The Christ Candle

“In the beginning was the word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood it . . . Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

John 8:12: “Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’”

Today we light the Christ candle, declaring that Jesus alone is the way, the truth, and the life:

When we give away gifts at Christmas, we imitate the grace of God, who said the wages for our sin is death, but the FREE GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ – dwelling with Him forever, and ever, and ever. We rejoice that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved: released from sin and shame, delivered from the decay of a broken world, and rescued from the penalty of hopelessness and hell apart from our loving Father.

 We pray with Isaiah, “Lord open eyes that are blind, free captives from prison, release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness . . . bring your salvation to the ends of the earth.”

And we declare with Zechariah: “(in Christ we are) rescued from the hand of our enemies, enabled to serve the Lord in holiness and righteousness without FEAR all our days. We are given the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins and the tender mercy of God. Jesus, oh rising sun, please shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death. Guide our feet into the path of peace.”

JOY TO THE WORLD! The Lord has come. And the Spirit and the church cry: Come again, Lord Jesus.