Christmas Eve B: Rejoice

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Bible Readings:Isaiah 9:2-7 Luke 2:1-20 Theme: Rejoice/Light of the World Decor: White and gold cloth and floating tea lights in clear glass bowls. Call to Worship/Proclamation: This, Tonight is the Meeting Place From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 83 (pictured in an earlier blog). We read this while playing Anthem Part 3 from the CD Powaqquatsi (pictured in an earlier blog) in the background. Listening Song: Hope Found on Jonathan Elias's compilation album, Prayer Cycle (pictured at left). Listening Song: A Holy Night By Point of Grace on the album, WOW Christmas (pictured in an earlier blog). Listening Song: Mary, Did You Know? By Kathy Mattea on the album, WOW Christmas (pictured in an earlier blog). One year we used this song as the framework for the whole Christmas eve service. Listening Song: Life Uncommon By Jewel on her album, Spirit (pictured in an earlier blog). Listening Song: Gaudete By Cantillation on the compilation CD, Peace on Earth. Drama: In their Shoes Found in Mega Drama 2 by Verena Johnson (Ed.), Open Book, 2001, ISBN 085910916Xv2, page 98 (pictured in an earlier blog). Drama: The Incarnation From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 86ff (pictured in an earlier blog). Meditation: Comfort My People By Roddy Hamilton and found on his blog, Mucky Paws (see link at left) in his December 2005 archive. Stories/Sermon: Four Shoes For the Nativity By Roddy Hamilton and found on his blog, Mucky Paws (see link at left) in his December 2005 archive. Story/Sermon: Good King Wenceslas Use this carol as a parable. A great source for this is Good King Wenceslas by John Mason Neale and Christopher Manson, North South Books, 1994, ISBN 1558583211. Story: Take Hold of Love By Henry Carter in Christmas Stories of the Heart by Alice Gray (Ed.) Multnomah Books, 1997, ISBN 1576731847, page 28. Poem: Mary's Song By Lucy Shaw. I can't remember which of her books this poem comes from but you can find the poem at http://maggidawn.typepad.com/maggidawn/2006/12/poems_for_chris_2.html. I used the words with images and played Psalmus Ode by Vangelis from his CD, Reprise, as a backing (pictured at right) Meditation: Image of the Invisible God By Adrian Plass in his book And Jesus Will Be Born, Zondervan, 2003, ISBN 0007130511, page 123ff. I matched each line with an image and played Aeterna Lux by Libera on their self titled album, as backing. Prayer for Others: In the Face of the Gospel From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 115 (pictured in an earlier blog). Response Activity: It would not be a Christmas Eve Service at our church if we did not light the Christ Candle on the stroke of midnight, light out tapers from it and then sing Joy to the World together in the candle light.

Blue Christmas B: For those who are too sad to celebrate

THERE IS AN UPDATED 2023 VERSION OF THIS BLOG ENTRY  - SEE MY ARCHIVE LIST AT LEFT.

Bible readings: Isaiah 9:2,6-7, Isaiah 4o:8-9, John 1:4-5, Luke 2:1-20, Psalm 121, Theme: For those who find celebrating difficult About the Image: This image comes from www.visualparadox.com - a great site for images. Reading: Into this Silent Night From Kneeling in Bethlehem by Ann Weems, Westminster John Knox Press, Story: King of Kings By Susan Hill and John Lawrence, Walker Books , 1993, ISBN 0744543266 (pictured at left). Although this is a children's book it makes a lovely reflection for adults. Prayer for Others: When the World was Dark From Cloth for the Cradle by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 92 (pictured in an earlier blog). I projected the words of this prayer with matching images and the music of Pie Jesu by Sarah Brightman and Paul Miles-Kingston on Andrew Llyod Webber's album, Gold (pictured on an earlier blog) Listening Song: Immanuel By Michael Card on his CD, The Final Word. Listening Song: Vespura By Aled on his album, Aled Jones (pictured at right). Response Activity: Taper Lighting Light the Christ candle somewhere near the beginning of the service and then throughout the service give a number of opportunities for people to light a taper in response to the following: 1. In memory of a loved one who had died 2. To acknowledge a loss - any kind of loss, not just a death 3. In thankfulness for family and/or friends 4. To acknowledge the hope that the birth of Jesus gives to each one of us.