During this Sermon Series, we’ve looked at the theme of “Waiting” and how it runs throughout the Christmas Story; as well as how this theme relates to our “stories” today.

to save and redeem His people. We have previously discussed how the Jewish people waited in hopefulness for the coming (or “advent”) of the Messiah….God’s chosen/anointed One to save and redeem His people. But… the Christmas Story clearly shows that the Jews weren’t the only people waiting in hope for his arrival.

of how the Messiah’s coming will affect non-Jewish people: Nearly as often as there are prophecies about how the Messiah will lead Israel to a time of great renewal; there are prophecies of how the Messiah’s coming will affect non-Jewish people: He will bring them light!

for the Gentiles, that My salvation Isaiah 49:6 “It is too small a thing for You to be My Servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make You a light for the Gentiles, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

So, like the Jews, they waited… From the evidence of ancient history, it seems that other cultures took great interest in these Jewish prophecies about a “Savior” that would arrive with great power and would be capable of bringing light and peace to our darkened world. So, like the Jews, they waited…

[from the Prophet Balaam] Numbers 24:17 “I see him, but not now;     I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob;     a scepter will rise out of Israel.” [from the Prophet Balaam]

“The Magi & The Light of the World” Matthew 2: 1-12 “The Magi & The Light of the World”

Many have wondered about the gifts that the Magi brought Jesus. But what if these gifts are simply reflections of the Magi’s knowledge of Messianic prophecies?

Isaiah 60: 5-6 5 “…The wealth on the seas will be brought to you to you, the riches of the nations will come. 6 Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.”

in His death, though He had done no violence, nor was any deceit Isaiah 53:9 “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death, though He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.”

The Magi walk into the Christmas Story as those longing for a place in God’s Story and being given that honor... all because they sought God with all that they had and didn’t quit until they found Him.

John 1:9 John 9:5 Jesus is the “true light that gives light to everyone.” -------------------------- John 9:5 [Jesus said] “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Isaiah 60: 1-3 1“Arise, shine, for your light has come,   and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth     and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you     and His glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light,     and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”

to share His light and love so that salvation in As much as Jesus is always the “true light” for this world, those who believe in Him are also called to His global mission… to share His light and love so that salvation in His Name will reach the ends of the Earth. Many are still desperately waiting for “the light of the world”!

“How Many Kings” by: Downhere How many Gods have poured out their hearts To romance a world that has torn all apart? How many fathers gave up their sons for me? Only one did that for me.