Opening Hymn: Joy to the world: By Christmas songs and carols.com.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come Let earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room And heaven and nature sing And heaven and nature sing And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing Joy to the Earth! The Saviour reigns Let men their songs employ While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy Repeat, repeat the sounding joy No more let sins and sorrow grow Nor thorns infest the ground He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found Far as the curse is found Far as, far as, the curse is found He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love And wonders of His love And wonders, wonders, of His love!
Sermon:
Bells are a central symbol of Christmas, representing a call to celebrate the birth of Jesus and a universal announcement of joy.
Bells are also associated with good luck and prosperity, welcoming a fresh, abundant year. Evergreen trees at Christmas primarily symbolize eternal life, hope, and the triumph of life over death. Because they remain vibrant and green throughout the harsh winter months when other plants appear dead, they serve as a powerful reminder of resilience and renewal.The trees represent Our Heavenly Father’s unchanging love and power, bringing hope during darker days, much like Jesus brings spiritual light. Holly: For Christians, holly’s red berries symbolize Christ’s blood, and its thorns represent his crown. Angels at Christmas are heavenly messengers (from Greek angelos) announcing Jesus’ birth, confirming His divine identity as the Savior, and bringing messages of hope, glory, and peace, serving to bridge heaven and earth during this miraculous event, appearing to shepherds and others to declare the good news. They are not just decorative figures but powerful agents delivering Our Heavenly Father’s plan, validating the sacredness of the nativity, and inviting people (even outcasts like shepherds) to recognize the arrival of the King.
Biblically, Christmas Day celebrates the incarnation of Jesus Christ—Our Heavenly Father becoming man—as the promised Savior, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy to offer humanity love, salvation, and eternal life from sin, marked by the angelic announcement to shepherds in Luke 2 and symbolizing Our Heavenly Father’s immense love for the world. It’s about Our Heavenly Father’s gift of His Son, a “cradle to a cross” journey for redemption, bringing hope and peace, not just a historical birth.
Light in the Bible is Our Heavenly Father’s presence actively dispelling spiritual gloom, offering guidance, and calling His people to live lives that reveal His goodness to the world.
Christians are called to be “lights in the world,” reflecting Our Heavenly Father’s character through good deeds and shining brightly for His glory (Matthew 5:14-16).The New Year focuses on new beginnings in Christ, spiritual renewal, and recommitting to Our Heavenly Father’s purposes, using verses like 2 Corinthians 5:17 (new creation) and Isaiah 43:18-19 (doing a new thing) to encourage transformation, repentance, and setting biblically aligned goals like serving others, forgiving, and seeking Our Heavenly Father’s will over personal plans, viewing each day as a chance to honor Him.
Closing Hymn: Silent night by Christmas songs:
Verse 1]
Silent night, Holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round young virgin mother and child.
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
[refrain
[Verse 2]
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah
,
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
[Refrain
[Verse 3]
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, let your light shine on me a
nd my family, let your light shine on our blindspot, let your light shine in us and let your light shine on any thing covering us… remove it Lord and let us shine for you”.
Our lord and savior we pray, please forgive me of my sins
against you, please come into my heart. By the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me.
raynettekweissministries@yahoo.com