Preached by Chris Broom, 12/16/2007

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Angelo Tyler (center) gets baptized

One of our sisters, Charlene Jones graduated from Joliet Junior College last week. In fact, she was chosen to be the commencement speaker. Charlene, we are so proud of you for fulfilling that dream in your life. It is so important to go after your dreams. At midweek services for the men, I asked them to write down their dreams for 2008; five personal and family dreams, five church dreams and five community dreams. What are your dreams? Christmas is a time of dreaming; of dreams come true, and a church, like individuals, needs to always be aiming at something. An unknown author once said, “Aim for nothing and you’ll hit it every time.” So what’s our aim as a church?

Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world.

I’m Dreaming of a “Light” Christmas – Outline

Matthew 2:1-12
The wise men followed the star to Jesus.

2 Peter 1:19-21
Follow God’s Word like a light shining in a dark place.

Philippians 2:14-18
Shine like stars as you hold out God‘s Word.

Matthew 11:28-30
My Burden is Light. Humility lessens the load, and love lessens the load. That’s what friends are for. (Jesus was still hard line about sin.)

Is your burden light?

Intro: When I was a kid, my mom and dad used to always say, “It’s been a difficult year, so don’t expect a lot. It’s going to be a ‘Light’ Christmas.” One of the reasons we aren’t the light we need to be is that we are so weighed down by things and troubles.

Two Horses
Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing. If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As you stand and watch these two friends, you’ll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell. Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see. Good friends are like this; you don’t always see them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I’ll listen for yours.

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