Oh day of peace that dearly shines
Through all our hopes and prayers and dreams
A little Child shall lead us home
The hope of peace shall be fulfilled
Christmas Eve Worship Service – December 24, 2020, 11:30pm
Reading Luke 2:1-7
1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Candle liturgy for Hope and Faithful Love
What a mess! Wars, hatred, politics, fragmentation, society, indifference, humanity, apathy, environment, waste, pandemic, a matter of controversy, really? What a mess!
Hope-fully, Mary and Joseph are waiting for your arrival.
How busy we are! Debates, more debates, planning, more planning. For a sense of control, for a sense of taking charge of life, to prove our worth, to prove our relevance.
Faith-fully, Mary and Joseph are waiting for your arrival that surpasses our control, that shows us our worth, which gives us purpose.
In the midst of the mess, in the midst of the busyness, Mary and Joseph prepare a room, what else can they do?
What more is needed to make home with you?
Are we overwhelmed with the mess around us?
Are we distracted by the busyness?
That which gives us hope, be our light that guides us home.
May the light of hope lead us to that which deserves our faithful love.
Together we shall prepare making room in our lives,
in our hearts, in our community,
for the one who is arriving,
for the one who comes to keep company with us, to make home with us.
Reflection
Music: O Day of Peace by Josh Garrels
Oh day of peace that dearly shines
Through all our hopes and prayers and dreams
A little Child shall lead us home
The hope of peace shall be fulfilled
Song ‘Once in Royal David’s City’
Reading Luke 2:8-14
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before 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; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!”
Candle liturgy for Joy and Peace
We wait for your arrival,
we prepare to receive you.
Though the wait seems long,
it is the joy that awaits us that keeps us waiting patiently.
That we will see your face,
that we will embrace,
that we will receive you,
that you will make home with us,
gives us joy even now,
makes us joy-full!
While the mess of our world makes us weary,
Your nearness gives us comfort,
for your coming is peace,
which restores all that is broken and fragmented.
Your peace brings together all –
heaven and earth, humanity and all creation, Maori and Pakeha.
Therefore, we shall prepare to receive you in peacemaking,
by turning to face one another,
by opening up to embrace one another,
by making room for one another,
so that the joy of your arrival is the peace we live here and now.
Come now Jesus, the light of Joy and Peace.
Reflective Song I become what I receive by Alana Levandoski
Song ‘Born In The Night’
Waiting For Arrival Of Emmanuel, God-With-Us
Video: We are Bethlehem
https://www.theworkofthepeople.com/we-are-bethlehem
Long ago in Bethlehem
Christ was born through Mary’s “yes”
The angel choir sang of this Kiss
That God is woven in with this.
As Christ was born on Christmas Day
The universe was set at play
For opening our eyes to see
Christ is born through you and me
We are Bethlehem
We are Mary’s “yes”
The angel choir sings of this Kiss
God is woven in with this
Christ is born in you and me
Setting all the captives free
Just like Jesus said would be
Christ is born in you and me
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo|
The Most High is with us
The Most High is with us
The star still shines in our time
Wherever we bear forth the Divine
We are Bethlehem
We are Mary’s “yes”
The angel choir sings of this Kiss
God is woven in with this
Christ is born in you and me
Setting all the captives free
Just like Jesus said would be
Christ is born in you and me
Lighting of Christ Candle Passing the Christ light to one another.
Song ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ and ‘Joy To The World’
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