CANDLE LIGHT SERVICE

OPENING VIDEO

SONG - O COME O COME EMMANUEL

SCRIPTURE READING ONE - CHRIS

Isaiah 9:2 “2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.”

Isaiah 9:6–7 “6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.”

WHAT CHILD IS THIS

SCRIPTURE READING TWO - HANK

Isaiah 40:3–5 - “3 A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. 4 Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will appear, and all humanity together will see it, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH

SCRIPTURE READING THREE

Matthew 2:10–11 - DOU “10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING

SCRIPTURE READING FOUR- ETHAN - John 3:16–19 “16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.”

AWAY IN A MANGER

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR (KIDS)

SCRITPURE READING FIVE

John 8:12 “12 Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.””

Here we are, gathered together. Tonight, we have seen, heard, read and sung the story of Christmas. Jesus calls Himself light. Light brings peace, comfort, and hope. As a church, we have looked, read, prayed, and have been challenged by the stories of people who made room in their life for Christ. And tonight we are reminded of why it matters to make room for Christ this Christmas.

Hope.

(Have the lights dimmed to darkness.)

Hope is what not only we need, but the world needs. Hope is what the story of Christ is about. Hope for forgiveness. Hope in redemption. Hope that gives the strength to endure. Hope prophesied and realized in this precious baby. Christmas is not about gifts, food, pagents, or family. It is about God coming down and becoming flesh to sacrifice His life so that we may come to know Him.

For those of us who are followers of Christ, we are called to not keep this light to ourselves. (come down and have every one circle up. Have the musicians come. Have the stage lights dimly lit.) We are called to spread this light. To be like the shepherds who went and told every one what they had seen and heard. CHRISTMAS REMINDS US TO MAKE ROOM BY SHARING THAT THE STORY OF JESUS IS NOT SOMETHING TO KEEP TO OURSELVES, BUT TO SHARE WITH EVERY ONE WE MEET. So what does this mean for us?  How do we take all that we have talked about over these past several week?  Make Room by giving.  Give of yourself, your time, and your talents. 

Let’s grab our candles and gather in a circle around the room. When we’ve circled up, let’s “light” up our candles. We are going to sing Silent Night and as we sing, think about what what is one way you can make room so that Christmas is more meaningful to you, your family, and your world? If you need to look at the screen, the worlds will be there.

Close out in a prayer and sing Silent Night.

Silent Night (Stille Nacht)

Verse 1

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

Verse 2

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