The Light of Christmas

The Light of Christmas 1 John 1:5 Genesis 1:3 Exodus 3:2 Exodus 13:21

The Light of Christmas Darkness can be uncomfortable! Darkness can be confusing! Darkness can be terrifying! Isaiah 9:1-3

The Light of Christmas “Those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death…” What were the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali? How were they in darkness? Zebulun and Naphtali are the furthest northern tribes of Israel. These two tribes were the weakest point in Israel’s defense.

The Light of Christmas “Those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death…” How were they in darkness? They would suffer often from the attacks of their enemies. They lived under a constant threat of uncertainty. Would they harvest their crop or have it plundered by their enemies? Would their families be safe or be taken hostage? Constant danger for their lives homes and crops?

The Light of Christmas Until Isaiah 9! They lived under this cloud of darkness. Zebulun and Naphtali are relatively insignificant tribes of Israel. Until Isaiah 9! These tribes are the only tribes that God included in connection with the coming Messiah. Matthew 4:13-16 Isaiah 9:2, 3 I. “Those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death…” How were they in darkness? They lived under this cloud of darkness. Zebulun and Naphtali are relatively insignificant tribes of Israel. Until Isaiah 9! These tribes are the only tribes that God included in connection with the coming Messiah. Matthew 4:13-16 Isaiah 9:2, 3

The Light of Christmas “Those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death…” Why would Jesus choose to live there and minister there? John 12:46 John 8:12 The people of Zebulun and Naphtali dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

The Light of Christmas “Those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death…” Hebrews 2:14, 15 Jesus sheds a powerful light on our fear of the blackness of death. Psalm 23:4

The Light of Christmas Light for Today Isaiah 9:3 Isaiah 9:6, 7

The Light of Christmas Light of the World John 12:46 Matthew 5:14-16 Isaiah 58:7-11 Isaiah 58:8 Isaiah 58:9,10 Isaiah 60: 1, 2

Scriptures

1 John 1:5 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Genesis 1:3 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

Exodus 3:2 2 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.

Exodus 13:21 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.

John 8:12 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 12:46 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

Isaiah 9:1-3 1 Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, As when at first He lightly esteemed The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, And afterward more heavily oppressed her, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, In Galilee of the Gentiles. 2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

Matthew 4:13-16 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: 16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”

Isaiah 9:2, 3 2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the and of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

John 12:40 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.”

John 8:12 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Hebrews 2:14, 15 14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Psalm 23:4 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Isaiah 9:3 3 You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

Isaiah 9:6, 7 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

John 12:46 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

Matthew 5:14-16 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Isaiah 58:7-11 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Isaiah 58:7-11 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. 11 The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:8 8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Isaiah 58:9, 10 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.

Isaiah 58: 11, 12 11 The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. 12 Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

Isaiah 60: 1, 2 1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.

Isaiah 58:7-11 7 I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor, and destitute. Clothe those who are cold, and don’t hide from relatives who need your help. 8 If you do these things, God will shed his own glorious light upon you. He will heal you; your godliness will lead you forward, goodness will be a shield before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.

Isaiah 58:7-11 9 Then, when you call, the Lord will answer. “Yes, I am here,” he will quickly reply. All you need to do is to stop oppressing the weak and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors! 10 Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day. 11 And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

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