By Rev Jean Baptiste Rock, PhD
122422
Heavenly Father, I pray you to sanctify me with your truth before I deliver your message this Christmas Eve. I pray that you will guard my heart and guide my thoughts—and that You would set me apart for your use and glory in the pulpit.
May the word of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in your sight, O Lord my strength and my Redeemer. Amen.
Merry Christmas to you all.
For nearly 2 billion Christians around the world, the Christmas season is considered as a time of family gathering, and gift giving, a time of peace, hope, joy and love.
This Saturday evening, December 24th, 2022, we have come to celebrate the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.- we call this moment: Christmas Eve.
We all enjoy Christmas Eve. We enjoy Christmas memories, Christmas music, Christmas parties, the trees, the shopping, Christmas gifts, and Christmas dinner.
I want to remind you Christmas season is also a time of profound reflection on the great mystery of the birth of Jesus who came on earth to shine the light into the darkness.
This Christmas Eve is a celebration of light in a silent holy night, a celebration of the light of Jesus, the light of Christ, of the Redeemer, of the wonderful counselor, of the prince of peace, of the Savior of the world.
This light has been prophesized for 700 years before Jesus came to earth: “ The people who walk in darkness will see a great light For those who live in a land of deep darkness- a light will shine.” John is inspired from this prophecy, he says this: Jesus’ life brought light to everyone. This light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it”. Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light (John 1:4-5)
In this celebration on Christmas Eve, I want you to know this, life itself is built on sunlight. Without it, our world would become cold, dark, and dead. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he came to shine light in us and around us.
Until today, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, continues to shine in us for real into our hearts, our minds, and our souls.
Let this light shine in and around us, that could be a smart choice.
All that we need to do is to open ourselves, to receive this light, and be ready to live in harmony with one another.
Christmas Eve is all about light, the light of Jesus Christ that has been predicted by the prophet Isaiah for 700 years before Jesus came on earth.
If there ever was a time for God to shine his light around an event, it was the birth of His only Son Jesus who was born in Bethlehem in a manger. Our lovely God decided to command light to illuminate us with the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ who is himself defined as the eternal light.
God has sent Jesus to invade our darkness, this is why Jesus said this:, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life and the glory of God” (John 8:12).
Are we willing to walk in the light of Jesus, the Son of the living God? I urge each of you to walk in this light because he wants to shine in us for real.
When I look at your kind face, I feel among us there is a spirit of hope , peace, joy and love, despite whatever hardship occurred during this year 2022.
The glorious light of Jesus shines in our hearts, minds and souls.
We need this light to survive. One thing that we cannot live without is the light. It may be easy to take light for granted, but nothing can live without it. I can say this: if I am here as the priest in charge of your parish it is because Jesus shines his glorious light in my heart, mind and soul. I remember in 1987, I received a full scholarship from Boston College to do my Masters in pastoral ministry, but they did not give me the airplane ticket that cost o$ 300.00 round trip, and I did not have that money. I told this to my older brother, he said to me, don’t worry, I will give it to you.
I felt that moment, the glorious light of Jesus shine on my path and until today it continues to radiate like the sun at noon. During difficulties and trials I stay mostly quiet and patient and create space for Jesus Christ’s light to shine my way to keep on moving on with hope, peace, joy and love.
May this Christmas Eve be really a moment of hope, a moment of peace, joy and love and above all a moment where the light of Jesus Christ shine in us for real and be ready to live in harmony with one another all the day long.
May it be so. Amen.
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