Daily Encouragement (12/22/21) "Christ, the Light of the World" (Part 2)
Published: Wed, 12/22/21
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A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.
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Wednesday, December 22, 2021
 Yesterday Ester took this photo of a beautifully restored red Ford pickup truck parked along Main Street in Mount Joy. "Christ, the Light of the World" (Part 2)
Message summary: The world we live in today is filled with so many uncertainties and floodtides of evil. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only answer to the questions and variables of life so let us turn to Him who is the Light of the World!
Note: We are both struggling with our voices today and thus will not prepare a podcast.
“In Him was life, and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4). "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12). Today we follow up on yesterday's message about the subject of light, often highlighted as one of the many symbols at Christmas. While serving a church in New England (1993-2001) we came to know and appreciate a newly married couple who came into the church, Nigel and Laifong. In fact I just talked to Nigel this morning. Nigel has a doctorate in electrical engineering from Princeton and shares a concept relating to spiritual life in Christ. His scientific perspective in the first two paragraphs is hard to grasp for non-scientists (at least it is for Brooksyne and me!) but hang in there because his spiritual application in the final portion is
outstanding!
Light is an amazing component of our universe. Nothing in the universe travels faster than the speed of light (Star Trek warp speed notwithstanding!). Special relativity tells us that the speed of light is independent of the motion of the observer (that is, to an observer traveling 1 meter per second slower than the speed of light, an object traveling the speed of light would still appear to be traveling at the
speed of light!). Light has a dual nature that has confused physicists until modern times: it behaves as both a wave and as a particle.
Einstein, among others, showed that light consists of "particles" called photons that have energy (but no mass). However, light has many wave-like properties such as refraction (seen, for example, when light bends through a prism). Of course, light enables us to see, and the wavelength at which light radiates determines what color we see. And light (sunlight) enables plants to undergo photosynthesis, which is essential to life (plant, animal, and human) on Earth. From a physical standpoint, then, light is absolute, mysterious, sight-enabling, life-giving, and -- without a doubt -- wondrous! From a spiritual standpoint, the Light of the World -- Christ – is equally wondrous.
The world we live in today is filled with so many uncertainties and floodtides of evil. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only answer to the questions and variables of life so let us turn to Him who is the Light of the World!
Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
 Daily prayer: Jesus, I thank You that You lead us in the paths of righteousness through the Light of Your Word.
It is a faith undertaking that we are never expected to walk where You, the Light of the World, have not gone before us illuminating each step we take. Because You are the Way, we will seek no other direction. Because You are the Truth, we will not twist the facts to serve our own interests. Because You are the Life we will draw near to the Father through Your divine bloodline. You are everything we need for life and godliness as You have called us out of the darkness of this world and into the
light of Your own glory and goodness. For this we are thankful and give You praise. Amen.Christmas greeting to our readers:
We express our greatest appreciation and love to you, our faithful daily encouragement readers. We have met or heard from so many fine readers from all walks of life and from all regions of the world and we are better for it in our spiritual walk and our social life. We always enjoy your feedback and your stimulating comments that affirm or challenge us to think further on a subject matter. We're even glad for
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We are praying for those whose Christmas season may be difficult this year due to a heartache you are experiencing, and for those who suffer from a significant loss in your life. May our faithful Lord meet you and bring a deep settled peace in your heart as you reflect upon Him as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace. Special Year-end Financial Appeal
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"Silent Night" Video Herbie Basso Herbie was a very colorful Italian man in our New England church. He is now with the Lord.
Nigel Lee is currently working in the Boston area in high tech. He grew up in Rhode Island and met his wife, Laifong, while at Princeton, where they were both involved in the campus chapter of Chi Alpha, a Christian ministry to college students. Laifong grew up in Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country, but by God's grace came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ at age 15. She also has a doctorate
from Princeton in molecular biology. This last year she began serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators where her page states:
Laifong Lee was a molecular biologist and scientific writer prior to joining Wycliffe Bible Translators. During the 2020 global pandemic, God stirred her heart for the Bibleless in Southeast Asia through online prayer meetings for unreached people groups and the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course. Laifong will be providing administrative support for projects in Southeast Asia.
Laifong and her husband Nigel live in Massachusetts. Their son Caleb is in college.
Nigel and Laifong were a wonderful blessing to us while attending our church in New England. They were also the first recipients of our daily encouragement in October 1996 and thankfully they still stay in contact as the longest time members of our email list.
This morning Laifong was in an online prayer meeting (praying for the unreached of Southeast Asia) when I called. She wrote:
"These days, before I read the Bible every morning, I thank God that the Scriptures are available in a language I understand, and I ask God to provide the same for those who are still waiting for His word in their mother tongue. Your gift plays a role in getting the Bible to the Bibleless!" She shared a version of "Is He Worthy" sung by the Sunda, an ethnic group in Indonesia, and told us it may give a glimpse of Revelation 7:9. It does! Video Answers to Christmas Carol Quiz with light themed songs we posted in yesterday's message
1) "Son of God, love's pure light" Silent Night
2) "Yonder shines the infant light" Angels from the Realms of Glory
3) "And to the earth it gave great light" The First Noel 4) "Light and life to all He brings" Hark the Herald 5) "But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall" I wonder as I wander 6) "The everlasting Light" O Little Town of Bethlehem 7) "Guide us to thy perfect light" We Three Kings Another Christmas Carol Quiz In this quiz identify the Christmas songs using the following rather cryptic clues. 1. Quadruped with Crimson Proboscis 2. Eight p.m. to Six a.m. without noise 3. Minuscule Hamlet in the Near East 4. Ancient Benevolent Despot 5. Exuberance Directed to the Planet 6. Listen, Aerial Spirits Announcing 7. Trio of Monarchs 8. Yonder in the Hay Rack 9. Cherubim Audited from Aloft 10. Assemble Everyone Who Believes 11. Hollowed Post Meridian 12. Fantasia of a Colorless December 25 13. A Dozen Twenty-Four Hour Yule Periods 14. Befell During the Transparent Bewitching Hour 15. Frigid Homo Sapien of Crystallized Vapor 16. Desire a Pair of Incisors on December 25 17. I Spied my Maternal Parent Osculating 18. Perambulating Through a December Solstice Fantasy 19. Adorn the Vestibule 20. Tin Tintinnabulums The answers will be posted in tomorrow Daily Encouragement message.
Resources for Christmas Celebrations
(We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas)
Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years. Perhaps they may be a blessing to you, your family or church during this Christmas season.
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services over the years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video) "When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune. Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family: John 1:1-18 pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. Christmas Knowledge Test We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).  Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity." © Copyright 2021 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
 At Shadow Mountain church courtyard 12/5/21
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