The Light of Presence

Cumberland Community Church

The Light of Presence

Christmas Eve!

December 24, 2024 • Courtney Harkness • Matthew 1:22–23

Jesus came to give us the most important gift of all - Himself! The fact that a holy God would choose to dwell with an undeserving humanity is absolutely remarkable. And embedded in His arrival is the most important Christmas reminder of all - that PRESENTS can never take the place of PRESENCE.

Keep the Lights

December 29, 2024 • Courtney Harkness • Luke 2:19

What if some lights are meant to shine EVERY DAY?

The Light of Generosity

December 22, 2024 • Courtney Harkness • Matthew 2:11

It’s always appropriate to respond to God’s generosity with some version of our own. That’s why the best way to celebrate Christmas is by giving. But the reality is that commercialism is always poised to hijack the season, transforming our opportunity to be generous into a recurring sense of entitlement. Sadly, the opportunity to give descends into an expectation to trade. 😕 Such darkness calls for a specific type of light - one that should recapture the true spirit of generosity for the Christmas season. The wise men show up on the scene with certain intentions, but their actual encounter with the Savior brings even more out of their hearts.

The Light of Joy

December 15, 2024 • Maceo Lewis • Luke 2:8–10

Embedded in the announcement of the birth of Christ is a miracle that’s often overlooked. The greatest news the world ever received becomes even more intriguing when you consider the audience who received it first. The angels didn’t appear to Roman royalty, the wealthy and educated, or even the religious circles of the day. Instead, the news was brought first to the most unlikely class of people: a group of lowly shepherds. This unlikely heralding signaled something significant to the world: you have a reason to rejoice, no matter who you are or where you find yourself in life. Consequently, this pattern is a defining characteristic of the gospel today - as it continues to bring the highest joy to the lowest people.