In the Gospels, the Christmas story begins in darkness. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he was born into a country occupied by the Roman Empire. His people faced persecution and oppression. The darkness of despair and resignation was heavy on people’s hearts.

The truth is, we all know about the darkness, don’t we? In one way or another, at one time or another, it has touched all of our lives.

It is interesting—nowhere in Scripture is there an argument that things aren’t as bad as they seem. Rather, our Scriptures affirm that the darkness is real and it is present. But these same Scriptures also affirm that even amid the darkness, there is another reality.

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “people who walk in darkness have seen a great light.” John’s Gospel records: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” And so this season we sing again the words: “Yet, in thy dark street shineth the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”

While there is a lot of darkness, if we look closely, there is also great light.

These days I’m always on the lookout for reminders. Even a weed growing up through a crack in the pavement is a reminder to me of the persistence of life. When I see a young family join our congregation, a mother and her two children baptized, I am reminded that even in a very secular world, God is still stirring hearts. When I see the bags and bags of food that our church donated over the last several weeks for people in our community who are in need, I am infused with hope. When I visited a woman recently who was under hospice care, I saw it in her faith. As we held hands to pray, I felt her inner strength and peace. She was confident that death would not have the last word.

These are all reminders that this light still shines in the darkness. And the promise is that this light is not just a temporary glimmer, but an eternal flame. The good news of Christmas is that amid deep darkness there came a light, and the darkness is not able to overcome it. Thanks be to God!

Let us pray: God of Grace, on this Christmas Eve, we remember that you so love the world that you gave your only Son, who came as a light to the nations. On this holy day, break into our lives anew. Help us to notice your unconditional love still at work in our lives and in the world around us. And then, Lord, empower us to be instruments of that same love, light, and grace all year long; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today a special word of thanks to those of you who have supported Dial Hope Financially. Several donors have generously offered to match all gifts dollar for dollar now - through the end of the year.  No limit on the match!  If you are able to participate, please go to our website for donation opportunities: www.dialhope.org.

Today’s message was written by my friend, Rev. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.

While it is true that science is important, it is also true that some of the most important things in life are not subject to scientific analysis. A student once said to me, “I believe only in that which can be proved scientifically.” I replied, “Does your mother love you?” “But of course,” he said. “Prove it scientifically,” I answered.

Friend of Dial Hope, you have to have faith; you have to believe. You can’t live without these. Faith and belief are inescapable. We are all believers, even though we may not believe alike.

The first Advent was the coming of Christ in great humility at Christmas. Phillips Brooks described it so beautifully in his hymn, O Little Town of Bethlehem:

How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive Him,
Still the dear Christ enters in.

Let us pray: God of all time, come into our time and make us whole. As you entered time in Jesus the Christ, be born in us today and lead us to the light of your love. Through the amazing grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.

When the angel Gabriel appears to Mary to tell her that she will give birth to the Savior, her response was, “Here I am, a servant. Let it be to me according to your word.”

When I stop and think about it, this is a breathtaking response!

In his book The Jesus Way, Presbyterian pastor/scholar Eugene Peterson writes, “I am going to make a huge guess right here: I am guessing that this prayer was not only formative for Mary, but also Jesus. I can imagine a Jewish mother handing this prayer on to her son because on the eve of his death, he prays nearly an identical prayer in the garden of Gethsemane: “Not my will but thy will be done.”

Not my will, but thy will. Here I am, your servant. Let it be with me according to your will.

My friend Tasha was telling me about her nephew years ago, trying to learn the Lord’s Prayer. The family would say it together each night before dinner. He would pray, “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. My kingdom come, my will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…”

Tasha said, “I fully understand how he could make the mistake! I know I have often prayed that God’s will would be done, but in my heart, I want my own will to be done.”

Robbie tells me that her father would often end his prayer time with the Lord’s Prayer—but also with his own addition. He would pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And let it begin with me…”

Here I am, Lord, your servant.

What would it look like if we made that our prayer? If we were steeped in it? What would it look like to understand our deepest identity as God’s servants? How might this affect not only our daily decisions but even our deepest dreams and ambitions? What if we were able to pray each morning, “Here I am, Lord, your servant…” I wonder what opportunities God might put in front of us…

In this holy season of Advent, may Mary’s prayer become your prayer: “Here I am, Lord. Your servant. I’m willing. I’m open. I’m available. Give me eyes to see and a heart to feel. Let it be to me according to your word.”

Let us pray: God of Grace, we celebrate that through Jesus, you are bringing salvation, hope, love, peace, and joy to a world that is desperately in need. And as we receive these gifts, as they fill our lives, may they also be passed on through us—his servants. Amen.

The owner of a big, shaggy dog called the local veterinarian on Christmas morning. “It’s my dog, Molly,” he said. “There is a large swelling at the corner of her mouth.” “But it’s Christmas morning,” the veterinarian replied. “Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” “Please,” said the dog owner anxiously. Please let me bring her now.” “All right,” said the vet. “Bring her right now.” When the dog arrived, the vet made a brief examination, then said to the man, “Do you have any children?” “Good heavens,” the man replied, “is it contagious?” “No,” said the vet laughing. “It’s bubble gum.”

Friend of Dial Hope, the joy of Christmas is contagious, but not primarily because of our gifts of dolls, electronic games, bikes, scooters, pretty dresses, ties, candy, cookies, and bubble gum. The joy of Christmas is contagious because of the spirit, the Christ spirit behind the gifts. The glory of Christmas is that God became one of us to tell us that He loves us … yes loves us unconditionally. And those who believe this make this spirit of giving contagious.

Let us pray: God of love, we thank you that you cared enough to send us your very best, your son Jesus Christ. We give you humble thanks for the difference he makes in our lives. Help us now to make a difference in the lives of others and to make this day a masterpiece. Spread your mantel of grace and love over the men and women serving our country in faraway places. Be with the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. We pray for peace … that peace will come and there will be war no more. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

There’s an old story about an American hunter who was in search of big game in West Africa. He was closing in on his prey when his hard-running local guides suddenly sat down to rest. The hunter complained to their leader. The leader in turn threatened, implored, and even offered bribes, but the guides wouldn’t budge.

“But why are they stopping now?” the hunter asked. The leader replied: “The men say they have hurried too fast. Their bodies have run off and left their souls behind. They must wait now for their souls to catch up.”

Maybe that is one of our problems today. We are racing through life so fast, trying to do so much, running from one activity to the next that our souls are being left behind. I know that in my own life, if I don’t make time to stop and rest and play and pray, then my soul dries up. I feel empty and anxious and wonder why God seems so distant.

I wonder what it is that restores your soul. Where do you find times of refreshing and renewal? Amid a busy holiday season, I pray that you would carve out that time and allow your soul to catch up.

Our prayer today was written by our founder, Roger Kunkel. Let us pray: Loving God, blow your Spirit of gentleness and strength into the lives of those whose candles of hope grow dim and weak. Weave your grace into the patchwork quilts that are the days of our lives. Tune our hearts to the anthems of peace and take us home when our day is done. For we ask these things with souls full of the love you showed us in the life of your Son, Jesus the Christ. Amen.