Christmas Eve 2024

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

• Service Songs & Prayers

  MUSIC Curated by Kevin Borst
  Central Live - Could This Be
  Hillsong Worship - Joy To The World
  Chris Tomlin - O Come All Ye Faithful
  Hillsong Worship - O Holy Night
  Sarah Kroger - Silent Night

  THE CHRISTMAS STORY
  Written by Bobbi Salkeld
  
  For all of Advent, we have been preparing for Jesus’ arrival. 
  
  We have paid close attention to the ways hope illuminates the dark, peace pursues us in the wilderness, joy is layered in anticipation, and love is kindled through incarnation. 

  On Christmas Eve, we light the Christ candle in the Advent wreath, but first we remember the story. 

  Over two thousand years ago, Caesar Augustus required everyone in the Roman Empire to participate in a census. Mary’s fiance, Joseph, was from Nazareth and needed to travel to his ancestral city in Bethlehem. Mary, who was late in the pregnancy foretold by the angel Gabriel, accompanied Joseph. 
  
  While they were in Bethlehem, Mary went into labour and gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped the baby in a blanket and laid him in a manger because there was no room in the inn. In the fields outside of Bethlehem, shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the night. When suddenly, an angel appeared and the darkness was replaced with glorious light. The shepherds were terrified.  

  The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I bring good news of great joy. Today, in the city of David, a Liberator has been born! You will find him when you see the baby, wrapped in a blanket, and laying in a manger.” Suddenly, the sky was filled with angels saying, “Glory to God in the highest heavens, and peace on earth to people.” As soon as the angels disappeared and the sky went dark again, the shepherds rushed to Bethlehem in search of the baby. 

  They found Mary, Joseph, and the baby who was lying in a manger. After they left, the shepherds couldn’t help themselves. They told everyone about the angels, and the night sky, and the baby in a manger. Everyone they told shared in their awe. And Mary, too, held the mystery of the baby’s beginning like a gift deep in her heart.