A Light in the Darkness

Christmas Eve Service

Prelude

Welcome

Hope

Isaiah 9:2-6 (Scripture Readings)

Song: Breath of Heaven

Joy

Luke 1:26-38

Song: Gesu Bambino

Love

Matthew 1:18-24

Song: One Quiet Moment

Peace

Luke 2:8-20

Song: O Holy Night

Message: A Light in The Darkness

On December 24, 1818, in the little village of Oberndorf, Austria, the whole town was preparing to come to the Christmas service, the highlight of the season. But the parish priest, Father Joseph Mohr, was worried. The chapel organ was broken, and because of the heavy snowfall, the repairman from the next town could not get there to fix it. The service would be devoid of the beloved Christmas music.

For months he had been wanting to write a new song to express the simplicity and holiness of Christmas, but the words had eluded him. That night, as he sat at his desk pondering what to do about the music, he saw someone struggling through the deep snow to get to his cabin. A woman stood there, explaining that a family from over the mountain had asked that he come to their home that night to bless their first child who had just been born.

Bundling up, the priest started out through the snow and, after several hours of walking, came to the couple's cabin and the most beautiful scene he'd ever laid eyes on. There was the new mother in her bed smiling, as she and the father were looking in the little wooden crib beside her bed that held their newborn son. Father Mohr admired the baby and blessed him and his parents. Then as he trudged home through the silent snow, he thought of the little family and how much it was like the scene in Bethlehem centuries before on the first Christmas night. (Silent Night p. 86-88, Christmas Treasures Of The Heart, Cheri Fuller.)

Have you ever had a moment like that. When suddenly God shines through the earthly every day happenings to remind us of something far more important. Father Mohr was reminded of Christmas from a simple family celebrating the birth of their child. He went from frustration to celebration when he stepped back and looked at the world through the eyes of God.

The words flowed as joy filled Father Mohr’s heart, and as soon as he arrived home he wrote them down. That very morning he asked his friend, Franz Gruber, to compose the tune to the song. That evening the little congregation at Oberndorf heard the two men accompanied by Gruber’s guitar sing these familiar words for the first time. (Silent Night p. 86-88, Christmas Treasures Of The Heart, Cheri Fuller.)

Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright. 'Round yon Virgin Mother and Child! Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav'nly hosts sing, "Alleluia!" Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, 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.

Frustration to celebration, sorrow to joy. That describes the first Christmas too! It was a very stressful and difficult time for Mary and Joseph. The poor travelers from Nazareth arrive in Bethlehem and instead of being greeted by family or friends are met with the cold welcome of strangers. Instead of a comfortable home and room to rest in they are given accommodations in a barn. Yet, in that small stable was the Glory of God! In the manger His one and only Son the Savior of the world was born. In less than glorious surroundings the King of Glory had his entrance into the world. In the midst of their darkest hour this family found hope.

I still remember one Christmas in the early stages of the Iraq war we heard on the evening news that an American soldier had lost his life serving to protect us. Our oldest daughter, Sarah instantly asked us to offer a prayer for the man and his family. She gave us a powerful reminder that when things are hard we have a God who still loves and cares for us. There is always hope even in the darkest moment for those who trust in God. Even in the difficult times God is still with us.

As Christmas approaches this year you will experience a similar struggle between sorrow and joy. Yet, God understands this more than we know. For at the same time he was sending His son as that baby into the world He was sending His son to become a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Our sins have separated us each from God, only the sacrifice of his one and only son on the cross for the sins of each of us.

The angels shouted their message of hope into the darkness of this world. A son, a baby had been born, to save each of us from the curse of sin and death. May you each find and know peace in the saving Grace of God.

Medley of Carols and Candle Lighting

Closing Prayer Time