Christmas Eve

On Tuesday night we will have three wonderful opportunities for our church family, our extended families that are visiting, and for guests to join together in worship and wonder. Christmas Eve is a meaning-filled time for many reasons: Family gatherings keep us grounded and connected; festive lights and music all around enlarges the joy to a larger community; quiet moments with a single candle glowing in the darkness is enchanting; and the excitement of children is always wonderful. For the Christian community, the heart of this celebration is captured in the name Emmanuel, “God with us.” It is a message that brings great joy to shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night, Magi from the east, a young woman with all kinds of revolutionary aspirations, and even causes a heavenly band of angels to break out in praise. For you and me, Emmanuel means we are not alone when we are grieving a loss, trying to make ends meet, wondering what the future holds, or wearied by the never-ending struggle for justice. In our greatest moments of joy, as well as our most trying moments of despair, anger, and hate – you and I have the assurance that “God is with us.” It will not necessarily make everything easier and it surely is not a magical formula. Rather, it gives our pain more meaning and our intentions greater purpose. If you hear nothing else this Christmas, please find a way to speak the name, Emmanuel, “God with us,” into your life. It matters. 

Here are our Christmas Eve opportunities. This is both for your information and for you to be able to share this information with a neighbor who may be in need of a Christian community as well. (That’s me encouraging you to be an evangelist! ) 

At 4:00 our children will take us on a journey, following the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas. I’ll leave it to the children to describe that tradition, but it will be an excellent way to re-visit the Christmas story. Many thanks to our coordinators and Pastor Hayes for preparing this service. The service will conclude with “Passing the Glow Sticks of Christ.” 

NOTE: Our 4:00 service is usually very full, so come early and, if you are able, consider parking by the Administration building or even the preschool so that others and late-arriving guests can park near the door. 

At 7:00 our choir will lead us in a musical embrace of the Christmas story. I’ve had a glimpse of the arrangements that the choir will be singing and they are absolutely lovely. Many thanks to Scott Farthing, Alicia Adams, and our very dedicated choir for making this service possible. It will be a wonderful service that concludes with “Passing the Light of Christ,” which I find to be one of the most savor-able moments of Christmas Eve. 

At 9:00 our worship service will gravitate around a traditional Catalonian poem called “El cant dels ocells,” or “The Song of the Birds.” There’s a lovely story behind this poem and it provides a unique way to hear the Christmas story anew. Many thanks to Steve Johnston, Jennifer McCullough, as well as our Synerjazz and Synersingers for making this service possible. It will also conclude with “Passing the Light of Christ.” (Please note: We will not be serving communion at this service, as previously announced.) 

If you are traveling this Christmas Eve, our hearts go with you. If you are in the area, I hope you will make every effort to be in worship and please feel free to bring someone whom you know would appreciate this sacred time with us. 

Mark of St. Mark