Latest / HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN® / God's Light in Our Winter Nights —Christmas Hope Week Episode 3

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God's Light in Our Winter Nights —Christmas Hope Week Episode 3 · HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN®

• 0:03
  Welcome to Half-8th Let It Begin. This is Ariel Santana.
• 0:07
  Can you believe I'm seven years old already? I'm old enough now to introduce my dad.
• 0:13
  Ladies and gentlemen, your host, my dad, Angel Santana.
• 0:19
  Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Half Eight Let It Begin.
• 0:22
  Today is day three of the Christmas Hope Week, a journey toward peace,
• 0:27
  joy, and spiritual renewal as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.
• 0:32
  On Monday, we talked about peace. Yesterday, we talked about joy.
• 0:36
  And today, we lean into something that every single one of us has needed at some point in our lives.
• 0:42
  Light in the Dark Places This is episode 3 God's Light in Our Winter Nights You know,
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  winter has this way of reminding us what darkness feels like The days are shorter
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  The nights come sooner And sometimes the cold feels like it cuts right through us For some people,
• 1:04
  the winter seasons begin Well, it brings more, let's say, nostalgia, right?
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  For others, it brings loneliness For many, it brings memories Good or painful
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  But here's what's beautiful about winter The darker it gets,
• 1:19
  the more any little light begins to shine.
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  A candle in July doesn't stand out. A candle in December warms the entire room.
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  In the same way, God's light shines brightest in our winter nights.
• 1:35
  The Bible makes this powerful declaration.
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  Psalms 27, verse 1, The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?
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  And in Isaiah, the prophecy of Christ declares, Isaiah 9, verse 2,
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  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
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  From the very beginning, from Genesis to Revelation, God has been revealing
• 1:58
  himself as the light that never goes out.
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  Even the star that led the wise men, even the angels who lit up the sky night,
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  even the glory that surrounded the shepherds, all of Christmas begins with light
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  breaking into darkness.
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  So let me share something personal with you. There was a time in my life when
• 2:20
  I felt stuck, spiritually, emotionally, mentally.
• 2:24
  Yeah, I wasn't myself. And even though I would show up for others,
• 2:30
  pray for others, encourage others.
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  Inside, I felt like I was walking through my own winter night.
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  One night, when it was just, I don't know, I just remember it was just,
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  I felt particularly heavy, you know?
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  I stepped outside, the air was cold, the sky was quiet, and everything around me seemed still.
• 2:49
  And then I noticed across the street, someone had left their Christmas lights on.
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  They weren't anything big or fancy, just, you know, simple string of warm bulbs on a small tree.
• 3:01
  But in that moment, I felt something powerful.
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  It was as if God was whispering, you may not feel strong right now,
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  but my light will guide you. You are not lost.
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  You are not alone. That moment didn't fix everything instantaneously,
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  but it gave me direction, and it certainly gave me hope.
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  It helped me take the next step, and that's what God's light does.
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  It doesn't always remove the night, but it gives you enough light to keep walking.
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  So in the gospel of John, Jesus says, John chapter 8 verse 12,
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  I am the light of the world.
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  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.
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  Jesus didn't say you will never experience dark moments.
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  He said you will not walk through them alone.
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  The light of Christ. It guides, comforts, it warms, it reveals,
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  it protects, gives hope when everything around us looks dim.
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  And here's the most beautiful part. When Christ lives in you,
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  you become a carrier of the light. What does that mean?
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  Your kindness become light, your compassion becomes light, your patience become
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  light, your faith becomes light.
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  When your present becomes light in someone else's winter night.
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  So maybe, maybe you're listening to this and you're going through the winter
• 4:27
  of your own. Maybe you're waiting for a,
• 4:31
  answers or waiting on answers. Maybe you're hurting. Maybe you're missing someone this Christmas.
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  Maybe you're feeling discouraged or tired or overwhelmed.
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  Hear this. God's light is for you.
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  God's light will guide you.
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  God's light will not go out, and God's light will meet you exactly where you are.
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  Even the smallest flicker of hope, the smallest moment of grace,
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  the smallest reminder of God's presence is enough to brighten your whole path.
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  Think about that. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, for every listener walking through
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  a winter night, shine your light upon them, guide them, strengthen them,
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  remind them that they are not alone.
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  Let your peace fill their hearts and let your joy rise within them.
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  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
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  Well, I hope you enjoyed today's episode. My name is Angel, and this has been
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  an episode of Christmas Hope Week.
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  We call it episode three, God's Light in Our Winter Nights.
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  Tomorrow, we continue this journey with episode four on a Thursday,
• 5:34
  Strength for the Weary Heart, a message for everyone feeling tired,
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  drained, or stretched thin.
• 5:41
  Hope you enjoyed today's episode. Don't forget I'm preaching this coming Sunday.
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  First Reformed Church. I'll remind you, don't worry.
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  And never forget, have faith, let it begin.
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  Hey, have faith family. This is your reminder that someone very special is coming your way.
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  Join Angel Santana, that's me, this Sunday, December 14th at 10 a.m.
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  Eastern Standard Time for a live sermon from the First Reformed Church.
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  Come be inspired, be uplifted, and start your week with God's word spoken from
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  the heart. And don't forget, I mentioned someone very special is coming your way.
• 6:13
  Our beloved Santa Claus will return for our annual tradition that continues
• 6:18
  on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Tune in at 7 a.m.
• 6:23
  For the story of the candy cane presented live as only Have Faith,
• 6:27
  Let It Begin can share with you.
• 6:29
  It's faith. It's family. It's Christmas.
• 6:33
  Mark your calendar, set your reminders, and remember to have faith, let it begin.