Sermon: Christmas Eve Midnight (OT)
24 December AD 2013
The Nativity of Our Lord
Title: Light in the Darkness (MP3 Audio)
Summary: Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. He banishes the darkness of sin and grave. He illuminates the path of righteousness and guides us on our way.
To make this point about the coming Messiah, Isaiah dipped into Israel’s past. He mentioned another time when light shone in the darkness, referring to Gideon’s battle with the Midianites. Just as the sudden blazing of the torches and the clamor of clashing foes threw the foe into disarray, so Jesus’ coming shook hell to its core and eventually brought Satan’s domain crashing down on itself.
His light doesn’t merely point out and contrast God’s brilliant goodness with the dark evils of devil, fallen world, and sinful flesh. His light also burns away decay and death as a medical laser burns away scars and tumors. He doesn’t merely provide us with an option but He shows Himself to be our only salvation and makes us children of the light through His Word and Sacrament.
Text: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:2-7
Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Audio: Click to hear the MP3 of Light in the Darkness.
NB: For some reason, a few people have had problems trying to play the inline audio if Windows Media is their default MP3 player. If this occurs, you can either change to QuickTime or another default browser player, copy and paste the link directly into a selected player, or download it to your computer, where it seems to work regardless of which player. Several folks have suggested VLC Player from VideoLAN.
Other Readings: Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Tags: Christmas Eve Christmas Eve Midnight | Christmas | The Nativity of Our Lord | Three Year Lectionary | 3 Year Lectionary | theology | Jesus | Jesus Christ | Christ | Gospel | Law and Gospel | Law | light | healing | life | dark | oppression | sin | death | Gideon | 24 December 2013 | December 24, 2013 | Lutheranism | Lutheran | Church | Christian | Christianity | Christian Church | Isaiah 9 | sermon | preaching | homily | text | theme | topic | Light in the Darkness | audio | mp3 | Pastor Snyder | Pastor Walter Snyder | Walter Snyder | Ask the Pastor | Happenings
The Nativity of Our Lord
Title: Light in the Darkness (MP3 Audio)
Summary: Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. He banishes the darkness of sin and grave. He illuminates the path of righteousness and guides us on our way.To make this point about the coming Messiah, Isaiah dipped into Israel’s past. He mentioned another time when light shone in the darkness, referring to Gideon’s battle with the Midianites. Just as the sudden blazing of the torches and the clamor of clashing foes threw the foe into disarray, so Jesus’ coming shook hell to its core and eventually brought Satan’s domain crashing down on itself.
His light doesn’t merely point out and contrast God’s brilliant goodness with the dark evils of devil, fallen world, and sinful flesh. His light also burns away decay and death as a medical laser burns away scars and tumors. He doesn’t merely provide us with an option but He shows Himself to be our only salvation and makes us children of the light through His Word and Sacrament.
Text: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:2-7
Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Audio: Click to hear the MP3 of Light in the Darkness.
NB: For some reason, a few people have had problems trying to play the inline audio if Windows Media is their default MP3 player. If this occurs, you can either change to QuickTime or another default browser player, copy and paste the link directly into a selected player, or download it to your computer, where it seems to work regardless of which player. Several folks have suggested VLC Player from VideoLAN.
Other Readings: Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Tags: Christmas Eve Christmas Eve Midnight | Christmas | The Nativity of Our Lord | Three Year Lectionary | 3 Year Lectionary | theology | Jesus | Jesus Christ | Christ | Gospel | Law and Gospel | Law | light | healing | life | dark | oppression | sin | death | Gideon | 24 December 2013 | December 24, 2013 | Lutheranism | Lutheran | Church | Christian | Christianity | Christian Church | Isaiah 9 | sermon | preaching | homily | text | theme | topic | Light in the Darkness | audio | mp3 | Pastor Snyder | Pastor Walter Snyder | Walter Snyder | Ask the Pastor | Happenings
posted by Xrysostom | 23:50
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