2023 Candlelight service

Setting:

· Subdued lights

· Candles available as people enter

· Stations with Lord’s Supper elements

Prelude music

Welcome / order of service / instructions on Lord’s Supper / instructions on candles / prayer --- Go to the side to begin reading.

The advent candles have been used throughout the ages to tell the story of Jesus’ birth. Each candle represents a different truth related to Christ’s coming. As we light each candle and read appropriate scriptures may we worship together.

I. First we light the Prophets’ candle – a symbol of hope

· Go light the blue/purple candle

Throughout history God has spoken directly to us through His prophets. Yes – He declared warnings and at times judgment ---- but through out He continued to offer hope.

The hope of the Messiah. The King would come. Like a brilliant star into a dark world. God Himself would come. The One bringing peace. A call to His faithful to come.

(ESV) Numbers 24 17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.

(ESV) Isaiah 9 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone…. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Come All Ye Faithful (2:52)

II. We light the Bethlehem candle – a symbol God’s love

· Go light the blue/purple candle

How often God would make the small great. So when the Savior came, He would come to the least place instead of the palaces of kings and emperors. He came to show His love to the seeming unimportant. The insignificant would be exalted. From the lowly village of Bethlehem the great King would come.

(ESV) Micah 5 2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

(ESV) Luke 2 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

O Little Town of Bethlehem (3:00)

III. We light the Shepherds candle – a symbol of joy

· Go light the blue/purple candle

To an insignificant people the Lord would come. To the ones in darkness. Shepherds who were despised by the people. But to God they were important. And what better group. Ones who modelled who He Himself was. The great shepherd who would come to gather in His lambs. He brings joy as He comes.

(ESV) Isaiah 40 10 Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

(ESV) Luke 2 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

It Came upon a Midnight Clear (4:18)

IV. We light the Angel’s candle – a symbol of the peace that He brings

· Go light the blue / purple candle

If nature itself could sing, it would have at His coming. Instead the angels erupted into to the night. Heaven itself declared His glory. They declared the peace that He would bring to all that received Him as Savior. The ones who would receive Him are the ones with whom He is well pleased. The angels declare this coming of peace to those who would receive Christ and worship the One who would make it possible.

(ESV) Isaiah 55 12 “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

(ESV) Luke 2 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Angels We Have Heard on High (3:28)

V. We light the Christ candle – a symbol that He is the light of the world.

· Go light the white central candle

Of course the center of it all is Jesus Himself. He comes into the darkness to bring light. Jesus came to bring light into a lost world. The darkness of sin runs from His light. He came to bring light to all who will receive Him. And those who follow Him will no longer walk in darkness.

The bright star pointed to Him. The brightness of the angels burst into the night to declare His birth. Jesus Himself is the light of the world. And some came to worship Him

(ESV) Isaiah 60 3 And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. …19 The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

(ESV) Matthew 2 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

(ESV) John 8 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

His Name is called Emmanuel (2:58)

VI. Christ the Light for all who believe

This is the purpose of His birth. Ultimately on the cross providing a way that enables those in darkness to find light. The means by which He gives life? He was born to die. And with His death He paid the price for sin. His body broken in our place. His blood shed to pay the price for our sin. He offers a New Covenant through the cross.

(ESV) John 1 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. … 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Christ – Remembering the Cross

Let us remember His sacrifice and worship together as we reflect on the cross. His death for us. As the music plays we invite you to go to one of the stations, take the bread and juice, find a place to pray and give thanks for what He did for you. Then sit a few moments and worship. Do so individually, as a family, or in groups of friends.

(ESV) Matthew 26 26 … Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

O Holy Night (3:59)

VII. Because He is the light of the world, We should reflect His light to the world

He is the light of the world. And as Christians He lives within us. And He called us to reflect His light to others that still reside in darkness. we are a city on a hill. That’s what John the Baptist did. That is what should do as well.

(ESV) Matthew 5 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

(Turn off lights)

Light personal candle from the Christ Candle Share the candle with someone else

Let us share the light of Jesus throughout our world.

Let us pass His light among us to light the world.

Go Light Your Candle (5:05)

VIII. Pray

This concludes our service. You may blow out your candles. Please place the candles in the basket as you leave.