“Many Lights Are Brighter—Together!” Rom. 15.4-13, Advent2A, Dec. ’25

 

“Many Lights Are Brighter—Together!” Rom. 15.4-13, Advent2A, Dec. ’25

1.      Grace, mercy, and peace be yours from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this Second Sunday in Advent our text today is from Romans 15:4-13 and as we have been putting ornaments on the Christmas Tree, we reflect on this truth: many lights are brighter—together.

2.      First, we focus on the Light on a Tree, Light in the Church. If you’ve ever wrestled with a few stubborn strands of Christmas lights, you know the frustration. One moment you’ve got too many bulbs at the bottom of the tree and not nearly enough at the top… back down they come, only to end up lopsided again. But when everything is finally balanced—when the whole tree shines—it’s a sight that warms even the coldest December night.

3.      And isn’t it remarkable? One lone bulb doesn’t light much. But gather a couple hundred—secure them to one strand—and suddenly the entire room glows. That’s what Paul is urging the Church to see in Romans 15. In our text today, we hear St. Paul’s conclusion of dealing with quarrels over differing opinions among the Christians in Rome in Romans 15. There were those who believed they could eat anything, while others believed they could eat only vegetables. Some wanted to observe the Old Testament festivals, while others considered every day the same. Paul wrote to them to settle these disputes and instruct them in how to receive and welcome one another, that they might shine in unity. Quarreling Christians can dim the witness of the Gospel; united Christians shine with the brilliance of Christ. Many lights are brighter—together.

4.      The Scriptures Give Hope—Our Power Source. St. Paul begins: “Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) The Old Testament—so often neglected in our times—is not a dusty archive. It is God’s living Word, pulsing with promises, pointing forward to the Savior, and giving strength to God’s people in every age.

5.      Take away the Word of God, and we’re like a string of lights unplugged from the outlet—present, even arranged nicely, but powerless and dark. Without hope, sinful humanity scrambles for cover, just like Adam hiding in the bushes after he ate the forbidden fruit and sinned against God or King David hiding behind a murder trying to cover up his sin of adultery with Bathsheba. Without hope, it becomes “every man for himself.” Without hope, we’re nothing more than sinful man lost in darkness and unable to seek God’s light, which lightens the pathway to forgiveness and life everlasting.

6.      Think of the sinking of the great ship the Titanic early at the beginning of the 20^th Century. On that dark night in the North Atlantic, April 15, 1912, some sacrificially gave of themselves, even at the cost of their lives, playing “Nearer, My God, to Thee” as others were spared. Hope steadies the heart like that. But others pushed and shoved, even men disguising themselves as women to get a seat. That’s what hopelessness looks like—grab, claw, take. But our God does not leave us in that darkness. In His Word, He gives endurance and encouragement—and through them hope.

7.      The Light of Christ at the Center. Every line of Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation—bends toward Jesus. After His resurrection, Jesus opened His disciples’ minds to understand that the whole Old Testament pointed to His suffering, death, and resurrection (Luke 24:45–47). Isaiah had promised a Child to be born, a Son given—our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. That Child, born in Bethlehem’s stable, is the Light no darkness can overcome. He is not only the Light—He is the strand that binds us together. United in His blood, made one in His Baptism, fed with His body and blood at His Table, we are not loose, scattered bulbs rolling around the floor. We are joined—His Church, His family, His people.

8.      Joined in Harmony, Shining with One Voice. St. Paul prays: “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another… that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5–6) One voice. Not the same personality, not the same opinions, not the same background or preferences—but one voice in Christ. When the Church sings the same Gospel, confesses the same faith, kneels at the same altar, something beautiful happens: Christ shines. That’s why Paul concludes: “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7)

9.      Christ didn’t receive us because we were impressive or worthy or well behaved. He welcomed us purely out of mercy. When we remember that, pride melts away, grudges lose their grip, and the Light of Christ shines all the brighter among us.

10.   A Glowing City in the Darkness. If you’ve flown at night, you know the sight. First, only pockets of light appear—isolated farmhouses, single lamps in the darkness. But then, suddenly, a soft glow appears on the horizon. As you draw near, the glow blossoms into a city—thousands of lights shining together, visible even from space. That is the picture of the Church.

11.   Christ, born long ago in Bethlehem’s darkness, pierced the night with His light. His cross broke the shadow of sin; His resurrection scattered the gloom of death. And now, He gathers us—one light at a time—into a people who shine together with His mercy. Individually, we flicker. Together, we blaze.

12.   Dear friends, as we journey through this Advent season, let us hear Paul’s encouragement with joy: remain connected to the Word that gives hope, live in harmony as Christ’s people, and welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us. As brothers and sisters in the hope of Christ, we have been united together as individuals who share in the blessings and mercies of God. The darkness of our sins has been removed by His very blood on the cross. Yes, the world has seen a great light, the light that shines in the darkness, enlightening our lives with grace and mercy and uniting us in Christ. Because the world needs light. And many lights are brighter—together. Amen. Now the peace of God that passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus until life everlasting. Amen.