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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-12-15, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2016. PAGE 17. From the Minister's Study Jesus is our light for the Christmas season By Pastor Andrew Versteeg Brussels Community Bible Chapel One of the blessings that we enjoy as a family is to be able to live close to our church meeting place. We can walk to church and these days it is especially nice to walk through the streets of our neighbourhood in the evening to see the Christmas lights. Sometimes we go around the block the long way to see how others have decorated their houses for the season. In the northern hemisphere, Christmas and short days go together, so the lights of Christmas help to lift us up a bit during this time of longer darkness. In the scriptures, the theme of light is interwoven through the Christmas narrative. Immediately, we think about the shepherds in the field watching over their flocks during the night. The sudden appearance of an angel announcing the birth of Jesus and the glory of the Lord that radiated from that angel gave them quite a fright. What a glorious sight it must have been to see the choir of angels in the night sky, praising God and singing, "glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased" (Luke 2:14). We think also of the wise men from the east following a bright star to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem leading them to the baby Jesus. A few days ago the boys and I were outside doing a few things and before we came inside we plugged in the lights, but we could barely tell they were on because it was still light. When the darkness came the lights stood out wonderfully in all their colour. When Jesus came into the world He came as a light into the darkness. His light is His glory, His purity, His holiness and His coming into the world is described as a bright light C'firl�ti IrleIrelltwfiip Dec. 18 - Ps.80; Rom. 1 4'h Sunday of Advent - "Love" "Obstacles, Obligation, & Obedience" Dec. 24, 7:00 pm - CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE Evangelical Missionary Church Small Group • Tuesdays 7:30 pm at G&M Lisle's, Wingham Women's Ministry • 1st Wed, each month, 7:00 pm Youth Group • Wed. 6:30.8:30 pm at Huron Chapel EMC, Auburn 10:30 a.m. — Worship & Sunday School at 308 Blyth Rd. (former Church of God) Pastor: Ernest Dow - 519-523-4848 getlivingwater.orgy cz #1 And We Still Try Harder Recent circulation figures show The Citizen has the highest circulation in the northern part of Huron County, #3 in the entire county. The Citizen Proudly Community -Owned Since 1985 I `' entering the darkness. John 1:5 says, "The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness could not put it out" Approximately 700 years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah the prophet, led by the Lord, prophesied about the coming of Jesus into the world and this is what he said: "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the Light will shine on them." Now who are those who walk in darkness? And what is darkness in these passages? Those who walk in darkness are all of us. Darkness is a reference to sin and spiritual blindness, and the Scriptures teach us that this is the state that we all find ourselves in. Jesus is the Light because He is pure and without sin and He has come to shine that light upon us in order to rescue us from our darkness. Jesus' coming into the world is described like a sunrise that dispels the dark of night and ushers in a new day. This light is for any who will welcome it. When the angel appeared to the shepherds he came to them with this good news: "I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10 - 1 1). How can we appreciate the Light of Jesus this Christmas? It begins by comprehending our darkness. We can never see the glory of His light unless we see it from the perspective ANGLICAN PARISH OF NEW BEGINNINGS BLYTH Trinity 6. 9:15 am Church Office 519-357-4883 BRUSSELS St. John's 11:15 am Church Office 519-887-6862 Everyone Welcome! COME WORSHIP WITH US! BRUSSELS Via: United Church Sunday, December 18 - Advent IV All Ages Christmas Pageant, Communion, Guitar Group at 10:00 a.m. Congregational Meeting after worship followed by refreshments December 17 - Bake Sale 10 a.m. - noon, refreshments available December 22 -- Community Carol Sing at 7 p.m. 6 Everyone welcome Minister: Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M.Div. - 226-963-1175 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 We invite you to join our church family in: Worship & Sunday School - 11 am Coffee & Snacks following the service Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00 p.m. Christmas play, music and carols Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm - Soup & More 2 - a free community meal held in Melville's basement, and made possible by the Brussels churches working together. Nursery care available 519-887-6687 Blyth United Church Est. 1875 Worship Service & Sunday School at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, December 18th ADVENT 4 Christmas Pageant & Guitar Choir Jamilv-pciendi ePvciatlnaa Experience with Ca'tda, eart•dee&s and ec aPtiek Saturday, December 24 Family Fun Event with cookie decorating and hot chocolate at 7:15 p.m. Join us for a candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 8:00 p.m rni i$tr pa' MINISTER: Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div. OFFICE: 519-523-4224 of our darkness. Our darkness is our sin that separates us from God, but Jesus came to dispel that darkness and give us His light. His purpose for coming was dying on a cross to take our judgment and provide for us forgiveness of sin. Jesus came as a gift to be received, and of those who received Him the Bible says: "He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." gat... Share your news by placing your announcement in Call for pricing roll The Citizen & details 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 You ye !limited Jc loot (L.S c l'1 loots. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service Christmas Program at 7:30 pm r i BLYTH CHRISTIAN .� REFORMED CHURCH °l Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743 66, Vueddeed egmffattatv edee eitaftee You're Invited to come worsh p with us Sunday, December 18 Brussels Business & Cultural Centre at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday School for children 4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m. Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during the sermon. Coffee & cookies after the morning service. For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621 Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 U WRAP CHR,IST%IAS at HURON CHAPEL this season Every Sunday in Auburn @ 10:30am huronchapel.com finding the true meaning of christmas together THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS. OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday 6:00 p.m. 17 Flora Street Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday 9:00 a.m. 220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph's Sunday 11:00 a.m. 1025 Wallace Avenue N.