December 24, 2025
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SERMON SUMMARY:
The Bright Morning Star: Christ's True Light Revealed
Fr. Rob Holman's Christmas sermon wove together imagery from across Scripture—not just the familiar nativity story, but the deeper revelation of who Jesus truly is.
The sermon reminded me that we often focus on the endearing Christmas story: the virgin birth, the stable, the baby in a manger, the angels appearing to shepherds. But John's Gospel explains something far more profound—this was the Word of God who existed before creation and brought all being into existence. He is the life and light of all people. Yes, He came as a babe, but His nature is eternal and beyond our human comprehension.
Fr. Rob highlighted Jesus as "the bright morning star" from Revelation 22:16, declaring Himself "the root and descendant of David." This imagery carries rich Old Testament significance. In Numbers 24, the prophecy speaks of a star rising from Jacob—an early Messianic reference announcing the arrival of salvation, eternal life, and the dawn of a new day.
What fascinated me was learning that ancient people would have immediately understood this reference. Venus, the morning star visible just before sunrise, heralded the coming dawn. For the Israelites, this symbolized hope—the announcement that darkness was ending and light was breaking through.
But there's a warning too: Satan himself will disguise as an angel of light to deceive. The third element Fr. Rob emphasized was Christ's royal splendor and kingship—His eyes like fire, wearing many crowns, displaying the depth of knowledge and power.
This Christmas, I'm challenged to move beyond the sentimental and embrace the fullness of who Christ is. When we take faith seriously and fulfill the good, pleasing, and perfect life in Him, we experience the ultimate reality—the true light that darkness cannot overcome.
Discussion Questions
Beyond the Nativity: How does understanding Jesus as "the Word who existed before creation" change or deepen your appreciation of the Christmas story? Why do you think it's important to hold both the humanity (baby in a manger) and the divinity (eternal Creator) of Christ together?
The Morning Star Symbol: The ancient Israelites would have immediately connected "bright morning star" with the herald of dawn—the end of darkness and the beginning of light. Where in your life do you need to experienced Christ as your "morning star," shining his light and hope into a dark space?
Royal Splendor and Deception: Fr. Rob warned that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. How can we discern between false lights and the true Light of Christ in our lives? What does it look like practically to live in the fullness of Christ's royal authority rather than being deceived by counterfeits?
Prayer
Oh Lord Jesus, as we contemplate Your coming into our world this Christmas, we ask that You would shine Your true light upon our hearts. You are the bright morning star, the everlasting One who heralds the dawn of salvation.
Father, thank You for sending Your Son—not just as a baby in a manger, but as the eternal Word who existed before all creation. We are amazed that the One who brought all being into existence humbled Himself to enter our darkness and bring us life.
Lord Jesus, You are the root and descendant of David, the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. Your eyes are like fire, and You wear many crowns. Help us to see You in Your royal splendor and to bow before Your rightful authority in our lives.
Protect us from deception and counterfeit lights. Help us to recognize Your true light and to walk faithfully in it. As the morning star rises to announce the dawn, may we live as people of hope, proclaiming that the darkness is ending and Your eternal light has come.
We celebrate You this Christmas season—not just for what You did in Bethlehem, but for who You eternally are: the bright morning star, our Savior, our King, the Light of the world.
In Your holy and precious name we pray, Amen.
Ordained in the Anglican Church more than 20 years ago, The Very Reverend Rob Holman has led congregations in New York and Los Angeles with sound biblical preaching, prayerful discernment, and trained organizational management skills. Besides his role as Rector of St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Montrose, CA, Fr. Rob is also Dean of the Greater Los Angeles Deanery in the ACNA’s Diocese of Western Anglicans. During his tenure in Los Angeles, he has run Kingdom Conferences for the Diocese and been a speaker at the Deanery’s annual Next Steps in Mission training day. Fr. Rob received his Master of Divinity at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA and is a graduate of the University of Virginia (BS Engineering '87 and MBA '91).
For over a century, the congregation of St. Luke’s has followed Jesus Christ through ancient forms of worship and spiritual growth presented in a contemporary style. St. Luke’s celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024. The original building, made of stones from the local mountains, still stands on Foothill Blvd in La Crescenta—though the Anglican congregation has moved to a new building just a few blocks away near downtown Montrose. Retaining its biblically faithful foundation and liturgically rich worship service through the move, this long-standing Los Angeles church also carries on a tradition of warm welcome for newcomers. St. Luke’s is part of the Diocese of Western Anglicans, Anglican Church in North America, and the Global Anglican Communion. We invite you to join us online or in person this Sunday!
