When It Is Dark Enough
Gospel Sermons For Advent, Christmas, And Epiphany, Cycle C
Charles H. Bayer

Who will see him? Probably those whose world is darkest: The wretched, the suffering, humble shepherds, astronomers looking for a king they could not find in all their travels. Who will be blessed? The poor in spirit, the pure in heart, those who mourn, and who hunger and thirst for what is right. (from the Advent 1 sermon)

Charles H. Bayer writes that at the beginning of Advent the days are growing shorter and the darkness more pervasive. The announcement that a light has come into the world --or dark world -- is the best anyone can imagine.

"If the darkness is the human situation, the breaking in by the light no one can extinguish, the light of Christ is God's salvific response," says the author.

The 18 sermons in this book are based on Gospel texts primarily from Luke. Sermons follow the Revised Common, Episcopal, Lutheran and Roman Catholic lectionaries.

Charles H. Bayer is pastor of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), St. Joseph, Missouri. He is a graduate of The Graduate Seminary, Phillips University. He has served churches in Oklahoma, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Illinois before coming to Missouri.