Now a Christmas people

My friends, the world is an ever-darkening place -
Shine the light!
We are a broken, hurting people -
Shine the light!
Our flame is small and always in danger of flickering out - 
Shine the light!
Shine the light into this dark, broken, hurting world.
Shine the light into our wayward, fragile hearts.
Shine the light on a tiny manger in tiny Bethlehem,
And a young mother and father.
And all the unexpectedness of God's arrival.
The day is always darkest before the dawn -
The Light shines in the darkness
And the darkness will never, never,
Never put it out.
Shine the light!

And so: you are no longer Advent people
You are now a Christmas people!
So as you go,
Live simply
Love generously
Speak truthfully
Pray daily
Let God's light shine
And leave everything else to God.  
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
Merry Christmas!!

Closing benediction given at the 5pm and 9pm Christmas Eve worship services
at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
To read and listen to my Christmas Eve sermon, click HERE.