Carols & Candles
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Advent Wreath
Advent Wreath
Tonight we come together to light the final candle on our Advent Wreath. You may remember that the word, “Advent” means “coming.” We have lit the four outer candles: the Candles of Hope; Love; Joy; and Peace.
Tonight we light the large white candle in the center of the wreath, the Christ Candle.
Carols & Candles
Carols & Candles
Now that we have the Advent Wreath lit, Let’s take a look at the wonderful Christmas Story as recorded for us in Luke chapter 2. There we read:
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
O Little Town of Bethlehem
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Away in a Manger
Away in a Manger
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Joy to the World
Joy to the World
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The First Noel
The First Noel
One of the all time favorite Christmas Carols has to be Silent Night. It was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818. It was performed in the small village of Oberndorf, Austria. The poem was written by Father Joseph Mohr, and the music by his dear friend and music teacher Franz Gruber.
Mohr brought Gruber a poem he had written and asked him to put it to music. Now there is a legend that says Father Mohr arrived at St. Nicholas Church to find the billows of the organ had been damaged by mice. Faced with the upcoming Christmas Eve Mass, Father Mohr went to find his dear friend Franz Gruber. Gruber (as I said) was a music teacher and composer. Father Mohr brought Gruber the poem he had written, and Gruber picked up his guitar and began to play a simple tune which has become one of the most beloved Carols of all time.
Join me, as we close our service tonight by singing the wonderful and timeless carol, Silent Night
As we sing, we will spread the Light and fire that comes from the Christ Candle, which will light our sanctuary, in be a picture of how Christ lights our world through us. Join me as we sing:
Silent Night
Silent Night