Order, Words, & Voices
12.24.23, Christmas Eve – Christ Candle, Make Room, Luke 2:1-20
Order
Pre Worship Music – Spotify – Fun Advent 2023 Playlist
Opening – Christmas Stories Video Video
Lighting of Advent Candles/Participatory Reading Cricklins
Songs Billy/Team
Light of the Stable
Angels we have Heard on High
Passage Reading & Candle Lighting (Christ candle) Mitch
Songs Billy/Team
O Come Emmanuel
Oh Little Town
Devotional Make Room Rick
Music Away in a Manger Team
Community/Benediction Rick
Reading/Lighting of Congregational Candles Renee
Music Silent Night Billy/Team
Closing Peace Rick
Music Joy to the World Billy/Team
Billy continues to play as congregants exit
Post Worship Music – Spotify – Instrumental Christmas Jazz Mix Playlist
Opening Video
Christmas Stories Video
Lighting of Advent Candles/Participatory Reading Cricklins
Leader: In this Advent season, we light the candle of hope. We light it for all who feel hopeless. We pray that this light shines bright for prisoners, and for patients, for those struggling with debt, for refugees waiting for a safe place to rest, and for relationships that seem to have no clear way forward. Tonight, we light this candle for the hopeless.
Response: May God’s hope find them now.
(Light Candle)
Leader: In this season, we light the candle of peace. We light the candle of peace for all who find themself in chaos and in need of peace. May this light shine bright for the anxious and unsettled—for those in seasons of transition and discernment, for those who struggle with mental health, and for those navigating rocky, new beginnings.
Response: May God’s peace find them now.
Leader: In this season, we light the candle of joy. We light it for those unable to hold onto because their joy has been absorbed by a negative backdrop. May this light shine for those who are overburdened, overstretched, worn out, and worn down. May this candle shine for those who need a good laugh, or the relief of contentment, even in seasons of grief.
Response: May God’s joy find them now.
(Light Candle)
Leader: In this season, we light the candle of love for those who need it. May this light shine for loved ones lost, for love that has been betrayed, for love that has been neglected or forgotten, and for all who long for love and find themselves lonely.
Response: May God’s love find them now.
(Light Candle)
Leader: Thanks be to God.
Response: Thanks be to God
Music (slides) Team
Light of the Stable CCLI Song # 1914616
Verse 1
Hail hail to the newborn King
Let our voices sing Him our praises
Hail hail to the guiding light
That brought us tonight to our Savior
Chorus
Halle hallelujah halle hallelujah
Halle hallelujah halle hallelujah
Verse 2
Come now where it shines so bright
To the knowing light of the stable
Kneel close to the Child so dear
Cast aside your fear and be thankful
Chorus
Halle hallelujah halle hallelujah
Halle hallelujah halle hallelujah
Angels we have Heard on High
CCLI Song # 27721
Verse 1
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Chorus
Gloria, In excelsis Deo
Gloria, In excelsis Deo
Verse 2
Shepherds why this jubilee
Why your joyous strains prolong
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song
Chorus
Gloria, In excelsis Deo
Gloria, In excelsis Deo
Verse 3
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn King
Chorus
Gloria, In excelsis Deo
Gloria, In excelsis Deo
Verse 4
See Him in a manger laid
Whom the choirs of angels praise
Mary Joseph lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise
Chorus
Gloria, In excelsis Deo
Gloria, In excelsis De
Passage/Christ Candle Lighting (Slides) Mitch
A decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. All went to their own home towns to be registered. Joseph went with his fiance Mary to be registered.
Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth of Galilee to Bethlehem, the city of David, because Joseph was a descendant of David. Mary was expecting a child and while they were there the child was born.
Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a stable, because there was no other place to stay in Bethlehem.
In the fields that night, there were shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. An angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and the shepherds were terrified.
The angel said, “Do not be afraid, for I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,the Lord. You will find the child wrapped in bands of cloth laying in the stable.”
Suddenly, with the angel was a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God shouting, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward all people!”
When the angels left, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So, they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.
The Shepherds told Mary and Joseph what the angels had told them about the child, and everyone was amazed. Mary was in awe as she treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned to their fields, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them. (Luke 2:1-20)
(Light the Christ candle)
Music (Slides) Team
O Come O Come Emmanuel CCLI Song # 31982
Verse 1
O come O come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Chorus
Rejoice rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
Verse 2
O come Thou Dayspring come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight
Chorus
Rejoice rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
Verse 3
O come Thou Wisdom from on high
And order all things far and nigh
To us the path of knowledge show
And cause us in her ways to go
Chorus
Rejoice rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
Verse 4
O come Desire of nations bind
All peoples in one heart and mind
Bid envy strife and quarrels cease
Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace
Chorus
Rejoice rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem CCLI Song # 27879
Verse 1
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
Verse 2
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep
The angels keep their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And peace to men on earth
Verse 3
How silently how silently
The wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven
No ear may hear His coming
But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive Him still
The dear Christ enters in
Verse 5
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel
Devotional Rick
[Slide] On September 1, 1939, 2 days before a declaration of war, and over a year before the 3rd Reight would begin its campaign of dropping bombs on the densely populated areas of Britain, a proactive effort to protect the vulnerable British populations began its first wave. On that Friday school teachers, local authority officials, railway staff, and 17,000 members of the Women’s Voluntary Service made room in their lives as they began loading what would eventually become millions of children on to trains to go live with other families they did not know in rural areas were the threats of attacks were less likely. Tearful parents, as they loaded their babies on the trains made room for their grief as they allowed their children a path to safety. Farm families across the rural areas made room for this new temporary family member. Making room was a sacrifice for all. Those that developed the strategy, those who were the hands and feet of getting the children safely to their new homes, all made room in their lives to aid in the thankless process. Stories told by families that took the children in as well as the children themselves document the room that had to be made for the interruption in their lives. Rural families were surprised, and sometimes horrified, by the parenting methods and of the city parents and subsequent behavior of many of the children , while the children were often shocked by the work and diets of the rural families – they especially did not understand all the vegetables they were served. Room was made, sacrifice was required, lives were changed forever. [End Screen Share]
Opposed to the manner in which we usually interpret the nativity story, the birth narrative is actually a story of making room. While we often blame a fabled hostile Inn Keeper for refusing to serve Mary and Joseph. A business owner who put profits over compassion, a man, how in reality did not exist, nor did his Inn. Money did not rule the culture and customs of the day, instead, sacrificial hospitality did. The citizens of towns would take in travelers who showed up in their town square. The community would make room, the community was expected to make room, for strangers. On this particular evening, Bethlehem would have been a busy place as the registration was taking place. Most likely, everyone had made all the room they possibly could, all the space was filled with travelers, in some households the owners had probably even given up their own beds for these strangers. So, as everyone had made room, this one person realized that he still had the stable filled with his animals, however, there was a little bit of room left there so he graciously offered to make this remaining room available to this man and his pregnant fiance.
And there, in that stable, possibly surrounded by smelly animals, a place made available because a homeowner made room, here, Mary and Joseph officially made room for this child, the Son of God, in their lives. And, it was here, in this borrowed space, that there was enough space for joy.
How does a weary world rejoice? We make room.
We make room. God makes room. The angels tell the shepherds, and they make room. There’s always room. There’s always more space. There’s always plenty of good room, just choose your seat and sit down. Where we find the lack of hospitality is where we find the lack of joy. The Rev. Dr. James Foster Reese once said, “We are better together.” Joseph and Mary were given the opportunity to be together even in a space that screamed, ‘there is not enough room!’ The shepherds went to Bethlehem to see this thing that had taken place, causing them to be together with the holy family. Not only did the shepherds come and witness this thing, but they also left telling everyone by glorifying and praising God, giving society a chance to be together. Our task during this Christmas season is to make room in the same manner. We need to acknowledge that the world is weary from grief, war, a pandemic, political strife, personal and corporate failings, and the list continues. Although these weary acts take place, our rejoicing happens when we encounter life together, in connections. When we seemingly interpret, or alter the story, to make room are also making space for collective moments of rejoicing. For no one knows the day nor the hour of the second Advent, so let’s not lean on our own understanding but in all our ways trust God to direct our paths—offering God our best by making room in a world that is most accustomed to protecting our space. The room we make will allow a weary world to rejoice.
Adapted from the writings of Rev. Cecelia D. Armstrong
Christ is born in a crowded, unlikely place. And yet, God makes a place there anyway. God draws the circle wider as shepherds and unexpected guests arrive. This Christmas, let us also make room—for strangers and neighbors alike. For this is good news of great joy for all people.
Jesus’ birth is a story about God making room for great joy to break beyond boundaries, for awe to push past the limits of our imaginations, for welcome to be extended to shepherds and strangers. This is a story about how God makes room.How can you make room for joy? How can you make room for God to accompany you through whatever this season brings?
Let us shine the light that can pierce the darkness in a weary world.
Music (Slides) Billy/Team
Away In A Manger CCLI Song # 38583
Verse 1
Away in a manger no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay
Verse 2
The cattle are lowing the Baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes
I love Thee Lord Jesus look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle ’til morning is nigh
Verse 3
Be near me Lord Jesus I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me I pray
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care
And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there
Community (Slides) Rick
- Next Sunday, Christmas Eve 12.31.23 @ 10:30, Christmas Eve, How does a weary world rejoice? We root ourselves Luke 2:21-38 (Jesus is circumcised & presented in the temple). Devo books still available today.
- Weariness and Joy tree
- ‘In-Between’ Bible Study beginning January 10, Wednesdays at noon (Tuesdays during Lent). Evening BS if enough interest expressed. Covering passage in-between Sunday passages.
Benediction (Slides) Rick
Gathered and connected, family of faith, as we leave this place, we go into a weary world. Our weariness does not have to stop us from rejoicing, it does not have to stop us from helping others rejoice – it does not stop us from allowing the hope of the stable to free us to rejoice.
May we speak tenderly to the hurts of those we encounter, may we do the good that is ours to do. May we choose to connect even in the darkness we will encounter. We hold onto hope, always remembering that Christ took on flesh for us. We are God’s beloved, the world out there is God’s beloved.
So, we go rejoicing because we need it. We go spreading peace because the world needs it. We go in joy, because the child born in the stable has given it.
Making Room/Lighting of Congregational Candles (Slides) Renee
The world may feel like one long stretch of night, like an endless winter, or a hovering rain cloud. And life may feel like walking into the wind, an uphill climb in every direction, but we can still open the door.
We can’t calm every storm, but we can turn on the porch lights. We can add chairs to the table. We can keep clean sheets on the guest bed, just in case.
We can hold the elevator, and know others. We can tell stories of belonging,
and take turns listening.
We can learn each other’s names, and plant trees for the children. We can study privilege and advocate for mental health. We can insist, every single day, in a million different ways that there is room, there is room at the table, there is room for all here.
We can’t calm every storm, but we can turn on the porch lights. We can spread the light to others.
(light first candle on each side as music begins)
Music
Silent Night CCLI Song # 4629513
Verse 1
Silent night holy night
All is calm I’m singin’ all is bright
‘Round yon virgin mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Oh sleep in heavenly peace
Verse 2
Silent night holy night
Shepherds quake oh at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Verse 3
Silent night holy night
Son of God oh love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord at Thy birth
Jesus Lord at Thy birth
Closing Peace (Slides) Rick (as Candles are lit and held)
Leader: May the hope and peace of the light that glowed from the stable go with you, releasing you to rejoice, as you go into our weary world.
Response: And also with you.
Leader: Go in the hopeful glow of the child that was born for you.
Music Joy To The World CCLI Song # 7100235 Billy/Team
Joy To The World (Antioch)
Verse 1
Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and heav’n and nature sing
Verse 2
Joy to the earth the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat repeat the sounding joy
Verse 4
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders wonders of His love
Order, Words, & Voices 