Date Posted: 2024-12-25 16:25:29 | Video Duration: 01:21:25
At Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, the warmth of community and the spirit of faith come together to celebrate the holiest of nights. On this Christmas Eve, the church invites everyone, regardless of where they are on their life’s journey, to experience the profound message of hope and love that the birth of Christ brings.
As the congregation gathered, the words of Isaiah 9:2 set the tone: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” This scripture, echoed in the lighting of the Christ candle, reminds us of the light that Jesus brings into the world. The pastor emphasized, “Jesus says, ‘I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'”
The sermon drew from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, recounting the timeless story of Jesus’ birth. As the narrative unfolded, the pastor shared a touching anecdote from author Anne Lamott about a little girl afraid of the dark, longing for someone “with skin on” to comfort her. This story beautifully illustrated the core message of Christmas: God took on flesh in Jesus to be with us in our darkest moments.
The pastor reflected, “The good news of this night is the story of a God who took on flesh in Jesus so that God would never be separate from you.” This message resonated deeply, reminding all that no matter the darkness or fears we face, we are never alone. The sermon encouraged the congregation to embrace the transformative power of faith, echoing the angel’s message to the shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy for all people.”
A poignant story about a man named Jim, struggling with addiction, further illustrated the theme of community and support. On Christmas Eve, Jim found himself at a church, surrounded by those who, like him, were friends of Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. The pastor recounted how this impromptu meeting became a living embodiment of the Word becoming flesh, as those gathered supported Jim in his moment of need.
The sermon concluded with a call to action, urging everyone to be “God with skin on” for others. The pastor said, “We share a common calling to be the body of Christ for one another. By the grace of God, we are the body of Christ, the church in the world.” This powerful message encouraged acts of kindness, love, and service, reminding us that we are called to carry the light of Christ into the world.
As the service drew to a close, the congregation was invited to partake in communion, a sacred act symbolizing unity and grace. The evening ended with the sharing of candlelight, a visual reminder of the light that Christ brings to each of us. In the spirit of Christmas, the message was clear: we are all called to share the light and love of Christ with the world, bringing hope and joy to those around us.
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