Every year as we approach the Christmas season, we automatically focus on Bible passages in Luke chapter 2:1-20 and Matthew chapter 2:1-12 where the Christmas story is found. As I was thinking about the Advent/Christmas messages for this year I thought about the fact that the gospel of John also introduces the story of Jesus in its own rich way. It would be different, and enlightening to explore John 1:1-18 during the Christmas season and allow its deep theological themes to weave in and out of the Christmas narratives in our minds and holiday celebrations. So, after prayer and study, that is how I’ve designed the Advent/Christmas series for this year.
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Advent/Christmas Series – The Light of the World |
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A study of Jesus in John 1:1-18 |
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Date |
Title/concept |
Text |
Suggested carol(s) |
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Nov. 27 |
Way Before Christmas |
John 1:1-3 |
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne (169) |
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Dec. 4 |
The Word |
John 1:1 |
What Child Is This (180) |
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Dec. 11 |
The Light |
John 1:4-9 |
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (181) O Little Town of Bethlehem (192) |
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Dec. 18 |
Not Received Well |
John 1:10-13 |
We Three Kings (197) I Heard the Bells (196) |
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Dec. 24 |
The Word Made Flesh |
John 1:14 |
Gentle Mary Laid Her Child Angels, from the Realms of Glory (182) |
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Dec. 25 |
Gifts of Grace |
John 1:15-18 |
O Come All Ye Faithful (178) |