Christmas Eve 2022

Christmas Eve Service

12/24/2022

Welcome

Congregation sing – Angels We Have Heard on High

Lighting of First candle –

The Prophet candle represents “Hope.”

The Prophecy Candle’s purple color suggests seriousness and repentance. It also signifies royalty, which points us to the coming of the King—Jesus. The Prophecy Candle reminds us of the many promises God gave to prepare the world for the Messiah’s arrival.

A prophecy is a prediction or a promise God gives to provide a preview of His future plans. Unlike human predictions, God’s predictions always come true. God doesn’t guess what will happen. He doesn’t hope that something will occur. Instead, He makes a promise; and God always keeps His promises.

Luke, a doctor and historian who wrote the Gospel of Luke, tells about the birth of a prophet known as John the Baptist, whom God used to prepare people for Jesus’ ministry. When John was born, Luke says that,

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— 72 to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:67-79 (NIV)

Zechariah mentions that God had spoken “through his holy prophets of long ago” concerning the coming of Jesus. Over a span of several hundred years, God sent prophets so that we would be ready when Jesus came into our world. Zechariah also says that his own son, John, “will be called a prophet” who will “prepare the way” for Jesus.

Why did God send His prophets? Because He wanted the world to be ready for the coming of His Son.

Like the prophets in the Old Testament, we hope for a Messiah to save us from the sin in the world (Isaiah 9:6-7). We anticipate our Savior’s arrival.

This Prophecy candle assures us we can have hope that God will fulfill the prophecies declared in the Old Testament about Jesus. Hope doesn’t disappoint us (Romans 5:5).

In this day and age, where evil abounds and all seems lost, we have hope as we know the prophecies about Jesus’ second arrival to earth will also be fulfilled.

1st candle – O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Lighting of Second Candle –

The Bethlehem Candle represents “Faith” demonstrated by Joseph and Mary.

Like the Prophecy Candle, the Bethlehem Candle is purple, signifying seriousness, repentance, and royalty. The Bethlehem Candle recalls the preparations Mary and Joseph made for Jesus’ birth.

Their preparations were probably not unlike ours when we’re looking forward to the birth of a child. Joseph and Mary undoubtedly wanted to be sure their son would have the necessary food, clothing, and shelter for life in this world.

However, this child was different. This was not their child. This child was coming from God. Joseph and Mary are credited with faith that believed all that was told them and acting according to God’s direction. However, it wasn’t easy.

Their faith saw them through many unexpected events, the first of which came even as they were preparing for Jesus’ birth. While they were getting ready for Jesus’ birth, they were interrupted by a Roman census.

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:1-7 (NIV)

Joseph had to go to Bethlehem, his ancestral town, and he brought Mary with him. From their point of view, the 90-mile journey was probably an annoyance they could have done without. Mary was nearing the end of her pregnancy, and they had better things to do than spend the better part of a week traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem. But, that’s not how God saw it.

About 700 years earlier, God had spoken to His people through the prophet Micah.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2 (NIV)

Though the census intruded on Mary and Joseph’s preparations, it was part of God’s plan. They lived in Nazareth, but God wanted Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. Enter the census. God used a Roman emperor to accomplish His purposes, and Jesus was born where God had promised.

For many of us the days leading up to Christmas are among the busiest of the year. We don’t relish interruptions to our plans at any time, and especially not now. But, sometimes God interrupts our plans in order to accomplish His purposes.

As we’re getting ready for Christmas, let’s make our plans and carry them out. But, let’s not get so wrapped up in our own preparations that we’re too busy to appreciate what God is doing in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Rather than seeing these interruptions as annoyances, we can see them as opportunities to partner with God in accomplishing His purposes.

2nd candle- O Little Town of Bethlehem

Lighting of Third candle –

The Shepherds Candle represents “Joy!”

The Shepherds Candle emphasizes the joy of finding the Christ Child and sharing this joy with others. The color pink points us to the joy of the Advent season—pink in the midst of purple, joy in the midst of seriousness and repentance. As we’ve considered before, the joy of Christmas is set against a backdrop of sorrow and longing. Our joy at receiving God’s gift grows as we long for Jesus’ arrival.

We don’t know much about the shepherds in the narrative of Jesus’ birth. They were plain, ordinary folk who did what they had to do in order to provide for themselves and their families. On the night Jesus was born, they were doing what they always did—they were caring for their flocks out in the fields.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:8-20 (NIV)

What an incredible sight! A heavenly chorus heralding the birth of the King of the Universe to a handful of humble shepherds. God chose a few ordinary men to receive the first announcement of His Son’s birth. While the contrast is striking, it fits well with everything else we’ve seen about Jesus’ birth. Mary and Joseph didn’t stand out from the crowd. Bethlehem was a small, unremarkable town. Jesus’ first cradle was a feeding trough. The list goes on.

Notice how the shepherds responded. After they overcame their initial shock and fear, they did what the rest of us would have done—they went to check out the manger. They had just received the most incredible news they had ever heard, and they wanted to see what was going on. So they went to Bethlehem, where they found everything “just as they had been told.”

One of the challenges many of us face in preparing for Christmas is that it’s all so familiar. We don’t have the same excitement the shepherds had because the news is no longer new to us. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t recover that joy and excitement.

If you have children in your home, try seeing the Christmas story through their eyes. Ask them what they think about what they’re hearing or reading. Their thoughts and comments may not be sophisticated, but their simple insights can still be quite profound. Perhaps you might try to put yourself in the shoes of the shepherds and others in the narrative. What were they thinking? How did they feel? Or, you might simply try to forget everything you know, and read the story as if it were your first time. You could also try reading a different Bible translation than the one you normally use.

Whatever you do, ask God to help you to see the story of Jesus’ arrival in a fresh way. Pray that He will show you aspects you haven’t seen before and help you to see the familiar in a fresh light. By His grace may our joy grow as the day we celebrate Jesus’ birth draws near.

3rd candle – While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night

Lighting of Fourth candle –

The Angels Candle represents “Peace.”

This candle’s purple color emphasizes Jesus’ royalty. Our Messiah is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!

God sent His angels four different times to prepare people for Jesus’ arrival. In Luke 1:5-25 the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah the priest to tell him that he would have a son (John the Baptist) whom God would use to prepare people for Jesus’ coming. Later Gabriel came to Mary in Luke 1:26-38 to prepare her to become Jesus’ mother. Shortly thereafter Joseph received a visit from an angel who told him about Mary’s miraculous pregnancy (Matthew 1:18-25). On the night Jesus was born, a whole company of angels announced His birth to a stunned group of shepherds (Luke 2:8-20).

A couple of weeks ago we looked at the angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary. We focused then on her response of faith. Today let’s reread that passage and consider what Gabriel said about Jesus.

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)

Gabriel told Mary that her son would be the Son of God and that He would rule over the nation of Israel forever. These two aspects of Jesus’ identity—that He is God and that He is King—formed the heart of His ministry and the center of the controversy that surrounded Him throughout His life. Even though His message seemed to bring controversy, the end result is peace. This is the message the Angels proclaimed. Peace on earth and goodwill toward men! Because Jesus came, we all have the opportunity to have peace with God, and a day is coming where all remaining people will live in complete peace with each other.

4th candle – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Lighting of the Christ Candle

The Christ Candle represents “Love.”

On this night we light the final candle of our Advent wreath—the Christ Candle. The Christ Candle reminds us that God is with us and that He has brought us salvation. The candle’s white color signifies celebration and purity.

Many people see God as distant, aloof, uninterested in our lives. Some believe that He is unapproachable, perhaps too busy to be bothered. Others of us are so afraid of Him that we dare not draw near. Perhaps we carry an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame because of our own failings. Whatever the reason, many people believe that God is in heaven and we are on earth, and never the twain shall meet.

Even those of us who would say that we have a close, personal relationship with God sometimes find ourselves estranged from Him. We sense that something has come between us and God. The reasons for this perceived separation can be many and varied. Yet, the result is still the same—God seems distant.

Enter Immanuel.

Centuries before Jesus was born, God spoke through the prophet Isaiah.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

When Jesus’ mother Mary became pregnant with Him, an angel appeared to her husband Joseph to reassure him since Joseph knew he was not the father of Mary’s child. In his comments on the angel’s appearance to Joseph, the Gospel writer Matthew says,

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:22-23 (NIV)

Hebrew names have meanings, and the name “Immanuel” means “God with us.” So, Jesus, who is the fulfillment of this promise, is literally “God with us”!

God is with us in the person of Jesus. This God whom many view as distant and unapproachable actually came down from heaven to live among us. Jesus’ incarnation was not some cosmic anthropological expedition in which God came to earth to study humans. Instead, He came to live and suffer and die with us so that we could live with Him forever. No one forced Him to do this; He did it because He wanted to. He did it because He loves us. A God who loves us that much is anything but distant and aloof and unapproachable.

Christmas is about the God who bridged the gap between heaven and earth—Immanuel—the God who is with us.

5th candle – What Child Is This?

Pray

On this special night, we remember once again how you came. Not as a reigning king to the royalty of earth, but as a humble child born among a humble family with meager earnings. You were born not in a hospital or even an inn, but in a cave filled with animals. Your arrival was greeted by shepherds who were considered the lowest of company. Yet, it was among the lowest you spent most of your time even as an adult.

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for loving us enough to come and live among us and to die like one of us, so we could have peace with God and be adopted by Him as His children.

This night, we welcome You once again. Thank You for coming!

In Your holy name Jesus we do humbly pray, amen.

Carols by candlelight:

Away In a Manger (1 vs)

Silent Night (1 vs)

Joy to the World (1 vs)

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Dismiss

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Adapted from Clay Porr’s Advent series:

https://www.clayporr.com/series/advent/