CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
PRELUDE: “HALLELUJAH CHORUS”
WELCOME TO WORSHIPPERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN # 89 “O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL” (verses 1, 2, 3)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-4; 14
It was Christmas Eve in the Austrian Alps and Pastor Joseph Mohr was preparing for the midnight service. He was distraught when he found out that the church organ was broken, ruining prospects for that evening’s carefully planned music. But Pastor Mohr was about to learn that our problems are God’s opportunities, that the Lord causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him. It came to Pastor Mohr’s mind to write a new song, one that could easily be sung without an organ. Hastily, he wrote the words, “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright.” Taking the text to his organist, Franz Gruber, he explained the situation and asked Franz to compose a simple tune. That night, December 24, 1818, “Silent Night” was sung for the first time as a duet accompanied by a guitar. It was first used in America by German-speaking congregations, then appeared in it current English form in a book of Sunday School songs in 1863. Were it not for a broken organ, the Christmas carol “Silent Night” would have never been written. (Based on the account given in “Then Sings My Soul” by Robert J. Morgan, page 93, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 2003).
HYMN # 91 “SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT”. (verses 1,2,4)
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the hymn “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” on Christmas Eve 1863 for the children of the Sunday School of the Church of the Disciples in Boston. The Civil War was at it worst. Six months earlier 40,000 men were killed, wounded, or reported missing on both sides. Longfellow’s son Charley, age 19, had been wounded about one month before the carol was written, and was being cared for in the Longfellow’s home. It is not difficult to understand how Longfellow bowed his head in despair and thought “there is no peace on earth”. The great poet poured out his soul for peace and good will in that very troubled time in the history of our nation. (Based on “Handbook to The Baptist Hymnal”, page 150, Convention Press, Nashville, 1992).
HYMN # 98 “I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY” (all verses)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:18-23
CHRISTMAS OFFERING FOR WORLD MISSIONS
HYMN # 93 “IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR” (verses 1,4)
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.” And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38
Phillip Brooks, the author of “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, is considered as one of the greatest preachers in American history. On December 24, 1865, traveling by horseback from Jerusalem, he attended Christmas Eve Service at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. He never could “get away” from the wonderful experience of that night at the very place where Jesus was born. Three years later, as he prepared for the Christmas season of 1867, he wanted to compose a Christmas hymn for the children to sing during their annual program. Recalling the inspiration of that earlier Bethlehem experience, he penned the words to “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” He asked his organist, Lewis Redner, to write the music to his poem. Lewis struggled with the assignment, complaining of “no inspiration”. Finally, on the night before the Christmas program, he awoke in the middle of the night with the melody ringing in his soul. He jotted down the melody, then went back to sleep. The next day, a group of six Sunday School teachers and 36 children sang “O Little Town of Bethlehem”. (Based on the account given in “Then Sings My Soul” by Robert J. Morgan, page 167, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 2003).
HYMN # 86 “O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM” (verses 1, 2. 4)
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Cyrenius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7
For sheer beauty and childlike simplicity the carol “Away In a Manger” claims special attention. For almost sixty years it was thought to have been written by Martin Luther because it had been published in 1885 in a Lutheran collection of hymns. The authorship of all three stanzas is not known although the third stanza has erroneously been credited to John McFarland. “Away in a Manger” is a gentle lullaby, tender and warm, especially loved by children; and when adults of any age sing it, they become children again. (Based on “Handbook to the Baptist Hymnal”, page 97, Convention Press, Nashville, 1992).
HYMN # 103 “AWAY IN A MANGER” (all verses)
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ”For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" Luke 2:8-14
HYMN # 88 “HARK, THE HERALD ANGELS SING” (all verses)
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Luke 2:15-20
CONGREGATIONAL LIGHTING OF CANDLES
(All lights in auditorium and adjacent areas are turn off and left in total darkness for several minutes. During this time, the pastor tells of the sin-darkened world into which Jesus came. The pastor then lights the “Master Candle” at the altar while quoting our Lord’s declaration: “I am the light of the world”, and how, through the new birth experience, Christ declares that we are the light of the world. Our light is not to be hidden under a bushel but lifted up as on a candlestick.
Instrumental rendition of “O HOLY NIGHT” is played while the ushers light their candlelighters from the "Master Candle", light the candelabras and then proceed to light the candles on either end of each row of pews.
After everyone’s candle is lit, the congregation sings “JOY TO THE WORLD”
The service is concluded with the pastoral benediction.
POSTLUDE: “HEAVEN’S LAMB”
