Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
We will be having worship at our church on Christmas Eve, at 6 pm. I understand this is a busy day for many, with family, friends, and holiday occasions. Yet it is a holy season, and a fitting way to focus upon the centerpiece of Christmas is a candlelighting service. The sanctuary and hymns will be festive. And, in a darkened sanctuary, we will share the light of our candles. As the light envelopes the room, we will be reminded of the influence of Christ upon our lives, and in turn the effect of His love, through us, upon the world.
Here is the order of worship for our Christmas Eve Service:
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Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Prelude
As we enter the sanctuary on this most holy occasion, in the quietness of the moment please take time for prayer and consideration of the great love of God.
Call To Worship
“Joy To The World”
(In Unison) “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince Of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Lighting Of The Christ Candle
As we have celebrated Advent as a church family, we have lighted candles symbolizing hope, love, joy, and peace. Today we light the Christ candle. This day we especially rejoice that God revealed His great love for us through the child in the manger of Bethlehem.
The Candle
Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-2
Prayer
Medley Of Christmas Hymns
What Child Is This?
Away In A Manger
Good Christian Men Rejoice
Go Tell It On The Mountain
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Scripture Interpretation – Ms. Gerry McKinney recites the Christmas story from Luke 2
The Lighting Of Candles
Leader: The Candlelight Service at Christmas is symbolic. The lighting of the first candle symbolizes the coming of Christ the Light of the World. From Him, the light of God is spread throughout the world. As the congregation lights other candles, they symbolize the spreading of God’s light into all the world. Each candle we light is an act of rededication. Each person who receives the light accepts his or her responsibility to spread God’s light. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Sharing Of The Light
“Silent Night”
Postlude
Have a merry Christmas!
12.20.07 (11:32 am) [
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posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
12.20.07 (11:25 am)
I adore candlelight services! They are so beautiful and tranquil but I'll be honest, I'm amazed at each and every one that nobody, not an elderly man or a young child manages to catch themselves or the church pew on fire! I say this because I have a birds-eye view from the choir loft most of the time and am shocked how well things go as well as they do. Good luck with your service!
posted by:
Barbara (
reply)
post date:
12.20.07 (1:16 pm)
Our church has a Christmas Eve service every year and there is nothing to compare to it and the feeling of "family" it generates. All our boys go and actually sit with us (hubby and me). Driving home from there is so peaceful as the traffic is practically nonexistent. p.s. I love the hymns you have chosen for your service - sounds as if it will be a wonderful time of worship.
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
12.20.07 (8:47 pm)
Your Christmas Eve Service sounds just like ours.
This is a tradition we have held for many, many years in our family ~ I so love it and look forward to it each year.
The best to you and yours at this blessed time.
Peace and Joy!
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
12.21.07 (5:10 am)
since Mass starts for us at 6:30, my thoughts will be with you in spirit. May you be filled with the Holy Spirit as you bring the wonder and joy of our Lords birth to your flock.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.21.07 (10:12 am)
Reply to: FinalyFree
This is my first in quite some time. We manage to pull off communion, baptism, and baby dedication with little calamity- so hopefully we will follow suit with this excursion in creative worship. Our folks are excited, at least few who will still be in town.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.21.07 (10:14 am)
Reply to: Barbara
Traffic peaceful and practically non-existant...now, that would make for a tiny but nice bit of "peace on earth and good will toward men".
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.21.07 (10:15 am)
Reply to: auntconi
Nice tradition- helps to make Christmas more meaningful. Thanks.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.21.07 (10:17 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
Thanks. Mostly I'll be but an observer and participant in this worship service. I'm thinking Communion would be a wonderful reminder and connection with the birth of Christ. We intend, in future times, to incorporate Communion into our Christmas seasons.
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
12.21.07 (3:26 pm)
I think that the Eucharist is the greatest gift given to us. Theologically we do believe slightly different things, but in this time of great stress in my life, I have found myself going to Mass daily. there are two benefits, no three. One, my Priest gives GREAT homily's even on weekday Mass which many Priests don't bother to do, two, it renews and calms me down and recenter's me, and I get Communion. I always feel that having that just helps me get through the day. Even if you don't believe in the true Presence, just the thought of communion and the gift that Jesus gave to us would (almost LOL) be enough. That is one of the things I do not understand about other Christian denominations. Not having Communion every day that there is a service. I cannot even imagine only having Communion 4 times a year. Oh Well. Thats the joy of being American. We can all worship in whatever way makes us happy!! Merry Christmas my Blogfriend.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.23.07 (5:07 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
Well, we don't have Communion every day because we do not believe Christ is present in the elements. It's not necessary, in our understanding. Communion is symbolic.
Having said that, I admire your devotion and respect very much that you have such a disire to worship Christ. I have no doubt that the Eucharist is a valid and meaningful experience of God for you. No way do I discount your experience.
We have Communion about 4 times per year. It is a meaningful, worshipful time. We call it the Lord's Supper. The elements are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. It is a reminder of many things, most of all His sacrifice.
I'd like next year to serve the Lord's Supper at Christmas time.
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
12.23.07 (5:26 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
See, I didn't get my point across LOL. What I meant to MEAN, is that even if you do NOT believe in the presence of Jesus in Communion, (and there was a time I did not believe in that) it would still make a person feel, um...more cognizant of the sacrafice made for us by Jesus. At least it did for me. Even then. It became a physical reminder that I carried with me throughout the week. Sometimes, just a sermon isn't enough I think. We sit and listen, but there is always a part of us that sort of drifts during your hard worked upon sermon, even when we try to pay attention. Then, when Communion comes, even without the belief in the presence, churches STILL have some words in the presentation which calls to mind the sacrafice. I am pretty sure even the Baptists do this, although I haven't been to a Baptist service in at least 10 years..so I could be remembering wrongly.
So my point was, who cares if your church doesn't believe in the true presence? Communion can be a nice reminder, even on a weekly basis. That was all. I certainly am not gonna slam your religion. I just think communion, in ANY form, and under ANY beliefs is a wonderful thing. Again, Merry Christmas to all of you.
posted by:
yellowsubmarine (
reply)
post date:
12.23.07 (6:29 am)
merry christmas pastordave!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.24.07 (3:03 am)
Reply to: yellowsubmarine
Thanks. This is the first I've heard from you in quite some time! Glad you are still around.
And, a big Merry Christmas to you.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.24.07 (3:10 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
No slam taken! There is a major difference in understanding of Communion, but it is a bridge that can be crossed by any two persons who respect and seek to understand the faith of the other. I think we you and I have such. So, we can converse even about the nuances of our differences, and still have respect. Right!
Haven't been to a Baptist church in 10 years? It is time for you to journey through Atlanta, and stop along the way to visit my church. I make this invitation often, and folk on t-Blog tend to promise, but the only guest who has stopped by is surrogate. Can you believe that? He and I are most at opposite in matters of politics and religion, yet I have really enjoyed his two visits and truly like to interact with him in this chitchat we call blogging.
Hope you have a great Christmas. Give those little ones a big hug.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
12.25.07 (3:43 am)
Reflecting as I sit here on Christmas morn, the Candlelight Service was nice. It was our first try, so we can do some things better next time. We lowered the lights at the beginning of the service, which made it difficult to read the bulletin. And we were a bit clumsy with the mechanics of lighting the candles. Several of the congregation had no idea how to properly insert the candle into the holder, so we had to take a moment to demonstrate. Otherwise, all was great.
Ms. Gerry, who cited Luke 2 from memory, proved a delightful lady. Afterwards she told me a bit of her story. When her husband passed away four years ago, she had a decision to make: sit back and watch the world go by, or go about connecting and making a difference. She has gotten involved with a couple of mission trips to Mexico, works in her church, and busies herself going around lifting up other persons. She's an inspiration.
Again, I am thankful to Clay and Aileen for helping to put this thing together. I believe this church was especially tailored, by God, for this fine couple. We mesh together well. And I appreciate all who set aside time in their busy holiday schedules to worship together on Christmas Even. We will certainly do it again.
