Preparing for Christmas Eve
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
What Child Is This? | [listen + lyrics]
William Chatterton Dix
Luke 2:11-12
Christmas Day | [listen + lyrics]
Andrew Bergthold, Scott Cash, Franni Cash, Ed Cash, Ed Cash Jr.
Isaiah 49:13
He Has Come For Us (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen) | [listen + lyrics]
Meredith Andrews, Unknown
Luke 2:13-14
Noel | [listen]
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, and Matt Redman
John 1:4-5
Silent Night | [listen]
Joseph Mohr, Franz Gruber, John Freeman Young
Luke 2:9
Crown Him (Christmas) | [listen + lyrics]
Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Matt Redman, DK Kim, Colby Taylor
Hebrews 2:9
All Creation Sing (Joy To The World) | [listen]
Isaac Watts, Steve Fee
Luke 2:10
SERMON TEXT
Luke 2
Doxologies: Light Has Come
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5
Christmastime is here. (Are you singing the Charlie Brown theme in your head right now?) The decorations, the lights, the music – and that feeling of anticipation for something long-awaited. We run from place to place in preparation and take part in things that bring incredible joy in the moment… but that often result in the great “December 26th Let-Down.” Do you know what I’m talking about? On December 26, it’s time to go back to normal: as we take down the lights and the tree, put away the music and the decorations, and start looking ahead, we begin feeling the weight and the pressures of the approaching new year.
How can we anticipate December 25th with great excitement without dreading December 26th? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the shift… and that’s where Jesus comes in and sits with us in the pile of crinkled-up wrapping paper, tree flocking and storage boxes. While the worldly evidence of the season may disappear, the Reason for the season remains and will reign forever and ever. The goodness of God and light of His glory will never fade. It remains tangibly evident in every element of His creation (Isaiah 55:12, Psalm 96:11-12).
“Light Has Come” was written as a testament of this truth and as a joyful declaration of God’s lovingkindness. Its lyrics contain some of my favorite names of God, those which I frequently call upon in times of joy and sorrow.
- “King of Heaven” (Daniel 4:37)
- “Son of Man” (Matthew 18:11, Matthew 25:31-32, Mark 14:62)
- “Blameless One” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- “Perfect Sacrifice” (John 1:29, Hebrews 10:12)
- “King of Kings” (1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 19:16, Revelation 17;14)
- “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, John 14:27, John 16:33, Ephesians 2:14)
- “God’s Own Son” (Romans 8:32, John 3:16)
- “Messiah” (John 4:25-26, John 1:41)
- “Light of the World” (John 8:12, John 1:5, Psalm 27:1, 2 Corinthians 4:6) who has overcome darkness, sin and death (2 Timothy 1:10, Revelation 1:18, Isaiah 25:8, John 11:25-26)
Perhaps most frequently heard at Christmastime, Jesus is Emmanuel: “God with Us” (Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14). We have a real and personal Savior, mighty enough to take away the sin of the world and merciful enough to love and help us every step from now through eternity.
He sees every high and low, standing with us on the mountaintops and equipping us with His sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:9) to navigate the valleys and wilderness without fear (Psalm 23:4, Psalm 118:6, Psalm 27:1, Romans 8:31, Philippians 4:13). He shows His infinite lovingkindness and mercy (Psalm 145:9, Deuteronomy 7:9, Nehemiah 1:5, Psalm 100:5) to the least of these and calls us to do the same (Matthew 25:40, Proverbs 19:17, Matthew 10:42). He is kind to bring people and circumstances across our paths that provide opportunities to share the light of Christmas and the joy of the world throughout the year (Ephesians 5:8, Ephesians 5:30, Matthew 5:13-16.)
With Jesus, God’s Christmas gift of hope, light and joy becomes a permanent fixture rooted deep within us and held fast by the Holy Spirit (Jude 24, John 10:29-30). This unspeakable joy overflows and permeates every facet of life, compelling us to live it out loud and declare it boldly in words and deeds (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:16-20).
This sums up the message of “Light Has Come,” and my prayer is that this song and its lyrics will encourage your heart this season as we turn our eyes upon the Light and the Hope that came down to dwell among us more than 2,000 years ago in the frailty of human flesh (John 1:14). In Jesus, that frailty was put to death (Hebrews 4:15) so that we could be raised to abundant life for all of eternity when we place our hope solely in Him (1 John 2:2). May we keep Christ in Christmas and may we share the steadfast love of Jesus with the world during this season and beyond – during the silent nights and during the busy days.
LIGHT HAS COME
In a stable, history began
King of Heaven, born the Son of Man
A star shone bright, the angels sang
Wise men, shepherds, all they came
Knelt before the newborn Savior King
Innocence wrapped in Love’s pure light
Blameless One, Perfect Sacrifice
King of Kings, Prince of Peace
Lover of the least of these
God’s own Son, come to give us life
So light the candles, ring the bells
Climb the mountains, go and tell
Of Messiah’s love for us
It’s Christmas!
Emmanuel, God with Us
Hallelujah, Christ has come!
Sin defeated, death undone
It’s Christmas, it’s Christmas!
Sing joy to the world!
Joy to the world!
Sing joy to the world!
Light has come!
Preparing for Sunday | December 19
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
All Creation Sing (Joy To The World) | [listen]
Isaac Watts, Steve Fee
Luke 2:10
Redemption Song | [listen]
Canyon Hills Worship
Romans 8:22-23
Crown Him (Christmas) | [listen + lyrics]
Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Matt Redman, DK Kim, Colby Taylor
Hebrews 2:9
SERMON TEXT
Philippians 4
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
Preparing for Sunday | December 12
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel | [listen + lyrics]
John Mason Neale, Henry Sloane Coffin, Andy Melvin
Isaiah 7:14
What Child Is This? | [listen]
William Chatterton Dix
Luke 2:11-12
Christmas Day | [listen + lyrics]
Andrew Bergthold, Scott Cash, Franni Cash, Ed Cash, Ed Cash Jr.
Isaiah 49:13
SERMON TEXT
Philippians 4
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
Preparing for Sunday | December 5
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Joy to the World | [listen]
George Frideric Handel, Isaac Watts, and Phil Wickham
Psalm 98:4
He Has Come For Us (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen) | [listen + lyrics]
Meredith Andrews, Unknown
Luke 2:13-14
Angels We Have Heard On High | [listen]
Hymn, possibly from the 18th century; translated by James Chadwick (1862)
Luke 2:9
Noel | [listen + lyrics]
Michael Guy Chislett, Ben Tan
Isaiah 6:9
Your Promises | [listen]
Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye
2 Peter 1:3-4a
SERMON TEXT
Numbers 13-14
2 Corinthians 5
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:6-7)
Preparing for Sunday | November 28
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
God So Loved | [listen]
Ed Cash, Scott Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash, Andrew Bergthold
John 3:16
Let There Be Light [listen]
Bryan Torwalt, Katie Torwalt, Hank Bentley, Mia Fieldes
Genesis 1:3-4
Promises | [listen]
Aaron Moses, Carrington Gaines, Dante Bowe, Keila Alvarado, Lemuel Marin
Psalm 113:2-3
Jesus Paid It All | [listen + lyrics]
Elvina M. Hall
Colossians 2:13-14
The Blessing [listen + lyrics]
Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown
Numbers 6:24-25
SERMON TEXT
1 Corinthians 10
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Preparing for Sunday | November 21
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
King of Kings | [listen + lyrics]
Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, and Scott Ligertwood
Revelation 19:16
Do It Again | [listen + lyrics]
Matt Redman, Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick
2 Corinthians 1:20
Thank You Jesus for the Blood | [listen]
Bryan McCleery, Charity Gayle, David Gentiles, Ryan Kennedy, and Steven Musso
1 John 1:7
Goodness of God [listen + lyrics]
Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, Ben Fielding, Ed Cash, Brian Johnson
1 Chronicles 16:34
Jesus Is Better | [listen | lyrics]
Aaron Ivey, Brett Land
Mark 9:24
SERMON TEXT
Romans 10
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:14-15)
Preparing for Missions Sunday | November 14
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Christ Be All Around Me | [listen + lyrics]
Jack Mooring, Leeland Mooring, David Leonard, Leslie Jordan
Ephesians 4:4-6
In Christ Alone | [listen + lyrics]
Keith Getty, Stuart Townend
Galatians 2:20
Your Great Name | [listen + lyrics]
Michael Neale, Krissy Nordhoff
Philippians 2:10-11
Living Hope | [listen]
Phil Wickham, Brian Johnson
1 Peter 1:3
Amazing Grace | [listen]
John Newton (1779)
Psalm 107:14
SERMON TEXT
John 17
1 Thessalonians 5
Galatians 6
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)
Preparing for Sunday | October 31
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Be Lifted High | [listen]
Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Jess Cates, Wade Joye, Jane Williams
John 3:30
This I Believe (The Creed) | [listen | lyrics]
Ben Fielding, Matt Crocker
Romans 1:16
Before the Throne of God Above [listen]
Charitie Lees Bancroft, Vikki Cook
Romans 8:35
God of Revival | [listen]
Brian Johnson, Phil Wickham
Psalm 77:13-14
SERMON TEXT
2 Corinthians 9
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
Preparing for Sunday | October 24
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Come As You Are [listen]
Matt Maher, David Crowder, Ben Glover
Luke 15:24
His Mercy Is More | [listen]
Matt Boswell, Matt Papa
Romans 5:20
Great Are You Lord | [listen]
Leslie Jordan, David Leonard
2 Corinthians 4:6
Build My Life | [listen + lyrics]
Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Kable, Matt Redman, Pat Barrett
Hebrews 12:28
SERMON TEXT
Colossians 3
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)