The Collect:

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation,

that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a

mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Scripture:

Micah 5:2-5 He will stand to lead his flock with the Lord's strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God

Hebrews 10:5-10 God's will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

Luke 1:39-45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.

Psalm 80:1-7 Come to rescue us!

Homily

Most of us love Christmas lights right?

Have you ever thought about why we love Christmas lights so much?

When I was young the house across the street would decorate their yard with thousands of Christmas lights each year. These were not the pre-made ones like you can buy today, they were all hand configured into shapes and designs. The house itself was not well kept, and I do not remember ever seeing the owners. However, the whole town would drive and walk past their yard to behold the beauty. It would be cold, and usually, there was snow on the ground, but that did not deter people from looking at the lights. I often wondered why Christmas lights were so popular, and why would we endure the painful cold to look at the lights. Later, it dawned on me that in the cold night, light makes you feel better.

Just a little light makes you feel better.

The Light shines through the darkness of the world, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Jesus came into the world as light, so that we would not have to walk in darkness.

Think about what Mary and Joseph went through to accomplish God’s plan

It was because of love that God using Mary, came to earth to live among us.

To give us light. To give us hope.

May we go and be used by Jesus to be lights into the darkness, beacons of hope, and joy.

Benediction

Lord God, we praise you for the light,

we praise you for the light the shines in the darkness,

we praise you for Jesus the Light of the World.

We pray that your light will shine through us,

shining out into the world so that all can see your love,

experience your mercy, and live in your grace

Amen.