Christmas Series
A Wake-Up Call for Christmas
Isaiah 60:1-5
1. Background
• a focus on the coming anointed conqueror (59:14-63:6)
• a conflation of advents
• a conflation of advents
2. A Time to Rise and Shine 1-3
• summons to “walk” in the light
• subjective experience with an objective basis
• addressing a national and global need
• magnetizing manifestation of glory
• subjective experience with an objective basis
• addressing a national and global need
• magnetizing manifestation of glory
3. A Time to Lift Up and Look 4-5
• a gathering not hindered by distance or frailty
• a thrilling and enriching processional
• from begrudging enemies to glad tributaries
• a thrilling and enriching processional
• from begrudging enemies to glad tributaries
4. A Time to Connect and Confirm
• Magi in Matt. 2:1-12
• Simeon in Lk. 2:25-32
• Jesus in Jn. 8:12
• Paul in Rom. 13:11-4
• John in Rev. 21:23-26
• Simeon in Lk. 2:25-32
• Jesus in Jn. 8:12
• Paul in Rom. 13:11-4
• John in Rev. 21:23-26
5. So What?
• Because Jesus Himself is the arrival of prophesied light, cherish His presence and treasure His promises.
• “There I find an experience fully God-centered, asking of God no gift more urgently than His presence, the gift of Himself, joyous to the highest degree, and unmistakably real.” (C. S. Lewis in Reflections on the Psalms)
• “And our eyes at last shall see Him, through His own redeeming love; for that Child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heav’n above, and He leads His children on to the place where He is gone.” (“Once in Royal David’s City,” F. Alexander)
• “There I find an experience fully God-centered, asking of God no gift more urgently than His presence, the gift of Himself, joyous to the highest degree, and unmistakably real.” (C. S. Lewis in Reflections on the Psalms)
• “And our eyes at last shall see Him, through His own redeeming love; for that Child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heav’n above, and He leads His children on to the place where He is gone.” (“Once in Royal David’s City,” F. Alexander)