Light in the Darkness

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

screens sunrise video; instrumental sunrise; lights slowly fade to rear cyan/amber/yellow

John 1:4 NIV

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

30s video montage of people celebrating together in crowds from different cultures. instrumental joy/delight

sudden snap to silence and lights all white up; white screens, black text:

1 John 1:5 NLT

This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

maybe we need to narrate the use of this carol + lyrical tweaks?

O Come All Ye Faithful? Reaches ahead to incarnation but echoes light theme clearly. A great congregational “opener”.

1. O come all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem ** Could we edit lyrics to be “o come ye to zion above” or the like? maybe not tweak at all

Come and behold Him, Born the King of Angels ** Born = “the Light,”

O come, let us adore Him x3 Christ the Lord

2. God of God, Light from light eternal

Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb

Very God, Begotten, not created

O come, let us adore Him x 3, Christ the Lord

3. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation

Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above

Glory to God, Glory in the highest

O come, let us adore Him x3 Christ the Lord

** too early here for kids out.

Prayer to the God of Light - a led liturgical feeling prayer of awe to the creator God, the God of light?

[where is a dance?]

active motion with kids and light: come and get a light. Take a light around the room. glow sticks?

more we can do with God as light? Another congregational song? Brief chat about God as light? not good for kids. God as light video - YHWH?

God created light, God is Light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

lights up

HC Kids’ instructions

But we live in darkness

blackout + solo spot to draw people back together

“God created light, God is Light. But we so often live in darkness - just like generation after generation who have come before us. Hear the ancient words of the prophet Isaiah”

Lights to dark blue; barren backdrop for words.

O Come instrumental starts, after perhaps a whole verse, begin reading and instrumental runs throughout the reading

Isaiah 8:21–22 NLT

They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.

musical change - a ray of hope?; lights begin to rise towards rear blue / cyan / yellow front towards end of next reading

Isaiah 9:1–2 NLT

Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - starting with chamber choir / choral, becoming congregational? are there other/more verses we want to add/use? particularly referencing light?

1. O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel

2. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save and give them victory o'er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

3. O come, Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home

Make safe the way that leads on high and close the path to misery

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

lighting back to black; silence; breathe. 10s

“The ancient people of Israel suffered in darkness, struggling to hold onto the hope of light - just as in our own darkness we still struggle to hold onto the hope of light. Listen to Amy’s story...”

Amy’s testimony: tragedy on tragedy, faltering, doubt and faith. I’d cut the last humorous seconds ** keep score running to end on black without audio from Amy/Tze

“Even in the darkness, even in our struggles and doubts, there is still room for faith, room for hope. Hope because the God of Light did not abandon us to the darkness.”

instrumental: a dark imperial march: powers pushing the people around; lighting dark red; slides with a roman standard on red; marching army - or something contemporary with the same oppressive nature

Luke 2:1–3 NLT

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.

instrumental of wearying, difficult journey - how to signal when to speak?

Luke 2:4–5 NLT

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

we could begin an instrumental for “Lord you were rich” here , which runs through the remainder of the reading? lighting to dark blue / cyan front reading in short phrases with long pauses.

Luke 2:6–7 (NLT)

And while they were there, / the time came for her baby to be born. / She gave birth to her firstborn son. / She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth / and laid him in a manger, /because there was no lodging available for them.

Lord, You were rich beyond all splendour - solo vox/choral ensemble, extended instrumental between verses; leave words up.

how do people know not to sing. Mahybe opening instruction is we’ll ask you to sing with us from time to time - otherwise, just listen and enjoy.

is there another verse about light?

1. Lord, you were rich beyond all splendour, yet, for love’s sake, became so poor;

thrones for a manger did surrender, sapphire-paved courts for stable floor:

Lord, you were rich beyond all splendour, yet, for love’s sake, became so poor.

2. Lord, you are God beyond all praising, yet, for love’s sake, became a man;

stooping so low, but sinners raising heavenwards by your eternal plan:

Lord, you are God beyond all praising, yet, for love’s sake, became a man.

3. Lord, you are love beyond all telling, Saviour and King, we worship you;

Immanuel, within us dwelling, make us and keep us pure and true

Lord, you are love beyond all telling, Saviour and King, we worship you.

Light enters the darkness

lighting black/white and slide background sunrise from space vid

John 1:9 NIV

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

begin a “what child is this” instrumental lone instrument, phrased around reading

“But who is this child, wrapped up and laid in a manger? //

Who is this true light coming into the world? //

The ancient prophet Isaiah had spoken of a servant to come:”

Isaiah 42:1–3 NLT

“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.

Isaiah 9:6–7 NLT

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

John 9:5 (NIV)

Jesus Said “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

What Child is This - has to stay relatively small all the way through - does this work as a call and response? choral group for verses, congregation for Chorus?

if we said only sing when you stand, how do we do this?

is there another verse we can use instead of v2 - don’t really want the look-ahead yet?

1. What Child is this who, laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary.

3. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, come peasant, king to own Him;

The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high, the virgin sings her lullaby.

Joy, joy for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary

silence

Luke 2:8–11 NLT

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

O little town - all sing

1. O little town of Bethlehem ow still we see thee lie

A-bove 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

2. O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth

And praises sing to God the King And Peace to men on earth

For Christ is born of Mary And gathered all above

While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love

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

And the darkness has not overcome it

gentle happy music continues, instrumental of o little town?

John 9:5 (NIV)

Jesus said: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

John 12:44–46 NLT

Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.

“Light had come into the world through that child, through Jesus. Hope at last in our darkness.

music becomes dark

Yet it would not be so simple… Darkness was waiting; darkness would rise; darkness would have it’s moment”

John 3:19 (NIV)

Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

musical lament becoming increasingly intense with the text

this join is not smooth - do we need to narrate the jump? use visuals?

trim down the reading

Luke 22:47–53 NLT

But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. “Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.”

to silence / decaying pulse to stationary during next reading

Luke 23:33–37 NLT

When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”

Darkness was waiting; darkness would rise; darkness would have it’s moment (repeat)

[silent pause]

but it was not the end of the story…

gentle mourning music

John 20:1 NLT

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

John 20:11–16 (NLT)

Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” “Mary!” Jesus said.

John 1:5 NIV

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Once In Royal David’s City

1. Once in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed,

where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed:

Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ, her little child.

2. He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all,

and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall;

with the poor and mean and lowly, lived on earth our Saviour holy.

3. And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love,

for that child, so dear and gentle, is our Lord in heav'n above,

and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.

4. Not in that poor, lowly stable with the oxen standing by

we shall see him, but in heaven, set at God's right hand on high.

Then like stars his children crowned, all in white, his praise will sound.

Hark the Herald - with descant if we can manage it!

1. Hark the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled"

Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies

With the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem"

Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"

2. Christ by highest heav'n adored, Christ the everlasting Lord!

Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a Virgin's womb

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity

Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel

Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

3. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Onward invite; Collect your kids; Enjoy Christmas refreshments

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