December 24, 2020
The mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Le Claire is to continue to be a warm and welcoming church that actively shows the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Glory to God! Christ is born!
A Moment of Silence to Prepare Our Hearts for Worship
O Come, All Ye Faithful vs 3
3 Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation!
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all
Glory in the highest!
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord!
Call to Worship
L: Jesus said, "I am the light of the world.” We wonder at the Light who shines in the darkness;
P: we wonder at the new light that transforms us.
L: Christ has come, and God's Word is present to us in a new way.
P: we wonder at the new light that transforms us.
L: We wonder at God's Light, present since before the beginning, yet ever new.
P: We marvel at the new things that God has done.
L: Tonight we light the Christ candle; and we wonder at the miracle and mystery of God at work among us.
P: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”
L: We wonder at Emmanuel, the Light who transforms us.
P: Alleluia! Praise God!
O Come, All Ye Faithful vs 1
1 O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem!
Come, and behold Him,
Born the King of angels!
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord!
The First Lesson: Adam and Eve disrupt the goodness of creation
When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”
“Who told you that you were naked?” the LORD God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me; she gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” Then the LORD God asked the woman, “What have you done?”
“The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” Then the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust, as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”
And to the man, God said, “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree
whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you.
All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow, you will have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”
Prayer of Confession:
Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, you created us to be reflections of your glory. When we fell short, you held our hands and walked with us out of the garden into all the corners of the earth. Always, you light our way. Again, and again, you called us out of darkness, to be people of light. And now, you have sent your Son, Christ Jesus, the light of the world. Through Him we have been forgiven. We praise you and rejoice with all Creation! Thanks be to God!
The Second Lesson: God’s covenant with Abraham
Then God said to him, “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! You will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations; and kings will be among them. I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants; from generation to generation.”
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
The Third Lesson: Isaiah 9 The promise of the Messiah
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
1 It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold;
"Peace on the earth, good will to all,
From heaven's all gracious King":
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.
The Fourth Lesson: The Messiah will come from the root of Jesse
Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot - yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance; nor, make a decision based on hearsay.
He will give justice to the poor, and; make fair decisions for the exploited.
The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together.
The lion will eat hay like a cow. The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra.
Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.
Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
1 O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
The Fifth Lesson: Luke 1 An angel appears to Mary
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
1 Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King.
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
The Sixth Lesson: Luke 2 travel to Bethlehem, where Mary gives birth
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
Away in a Manger
1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The Seventh Lesson: Angels announce the birth of the Messiah
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. ”They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.
Angels We Have Heard on High
1 Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo;
Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
EIGHTH LESSON: John 1:1-14 The Word of God becomes flesh and lives among us
In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
So, the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
Silent Night, Holy Night
1 Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon virgin mother and Child!
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Message A Living Example
This evening we heard about times when God’s people turned from God. God told Adam and Eve how to live, what to do and what not to do. God walked in the garden with them; but they chose to say no to God. They sinned and they left the garden. Centuries later, God gave a covenant to Abraham, saying “You will be my people and I will be your God.” Moses received the Ten Commandments: A written word, specific directions - yet, the people sinned. They chose other gods.
We heard how God was faithful in caring for God’s people. There were covenants – God’s promises that God would not abandon His people. There were prophets who foretold what was to come and how the people could re-turn, turn back to God. With each covenant, with calls from prophets, a little light was added to the world. That’s why we lit a candle after every reading. To show that God was and is present; is light and hope in our lives. Yet, the people were in darkness; often they chose to stay in darkness, because mostly they were self-centered; they were lazy and thoughtless, drifting back to their old ways.
Always there were a faithful few. They were hopeful; they remembered God’s promises; especially the promise to King David, that a Messiah would come, to save the world. Isaiah’s words about a bright light and, a virgin giving birth, were words of hope and a better tomorrow. The faithful understood what the prophets said, “Do not be afraid. Trust in God. Times of prosperity, peace and justice will come to those who trust in and wait on the Lord.” But, because kings chose not to trust God, the majority of people continue to be afraid and full of despair. They longed for freedom from fear, doubt and oppression. Rather than hearing and believing this good news from Isaiah and other prophets, they turned to other gods; they lost their way and they were conquered.
Centuries later, this message from Isaiah also announces the birth of Jesus Christ. In Isaiah’s time, the birth of the child was a sign to trust in God. When Jesus was born, Jesus was not just a sign, saying trust in God. Jesus is God on earth; God here on earth, to tell us we can trust God, we can love and hope because God is with us.
When Jesus was born, the Jews were again living in a dark time, oppressed by Rome and Herod. They suffered high taxes, religious persecution, illness and early death. Today, we also seem to be living in a dark time – Covid-19, causing many illnesses and deaths; we have financial woes, racial injustice, hunger and homelessness. The Jews wanted a savior to ride in on a great horse - to save and restore their power. Often, we want someone to fix our problems - a new president and congress, a stable financial picture, miracle drugs to cure disease, racial equality without doing the work, and homes, food for those in need.
God’s answer was shocking then; and, it is shocking now! God’s answer is a newborn baby, a living example of love, grace and new life. Kings past and present were not impressed - a newborn baby is weak and helpless. The kings missed God’s message. What about us? Do we miss God’s message? Only God, creator, sustainer and redeemer, can give new life. We see how God creates new life, new covenant new hopes throughout Biblical history. When we look closely, we even see how God has created new life in us! I certainly have seen new life, new ideas, growth and understanding of love and forgiveness in my life and in the lives around me. One theologian asks, “What is a more fitting sign of God’s love than creation of new life, even in the midst of a broken world? It is no wonder this new baby is named . . . . Jesus - which means . . . . Yahweh saves (God saves). . . . God’s sign of love for the world is now God’s own Son, born so the world will be saved” (Feasting on the Word, Year B, Vol. 1, Tanner, p. 101).
Jesus is the light for the dark world, for the dark times in which we live. Yet, I would be lying to say that there is no darkness since Jesus was born. The world is dark and troubled. We experience illness, loneliness and heartache. We know people who are struggling physically, financially or emotionally. We hear about those who are starving, mistreated and oppressed. Yes, the world is dark and in need of light and hope. Jesus is the Light and The Way to new life for all of us.
Yet, Jesus did not come to force, demand or coerce His Way. He did not come with power and might, on a great stallion, to CHANGE THE WORLD in an instant. Rather, Jesus came to show us God’s love. Jesus came to show us a new way to live; a way of gentleness, hope and love. When we say yes to Jesus, we are given new life; we are given a new way to live.
God promised a new covenant written on our hearts. God promised a light to shine in the darkness; His holy presence in our lives. Jesus shows us in word and action, how to love, how to live. As we live and love like Jesus, we are changed. We become the LIGHT for the dark world. Our new way of interacting with others shines God’s light on the world. With the presence of the Holy Spirit, we share God’s love with others.
When I was eleven, my parents bought a building in downtown Monticello for their flower shop. It had been empty for several years and needed a good cleaning. Dad sent us four kids downstairs to play, while he and Mom cleaned the main floor. There wasn’t much to do downstairs . . . until we found the old coal room, complete with coal, a coal shoot, and a swinging half door. Soon, we were having all sorts of fun in that black, sooty powder. It was everywhere, on our clothes, on our faces and in our hair! Then, before we knew it, Dad called us upstairs.
The minute we saw him, and he saw us, his dismay and anger were apparent. He said, “I was going to take you out to eat, but you are filthy! Why did you get so dirty?” When we tried to tell him about our fun, he wasn’t really interested - if you know what I mean! He lined us up by the tiny bathroom and washed us the best he could. Then we went home to peanut butter sandwiches. The next day, we returned to the shop, this time with books, toys and rules about staying out of the coal room!
At the end of the day, we were mostly clean; and we went to the A&W for root beer and cheeseburgers!
Dad showed us how to rightly play in the basement of that store. Dad showed us forgiveness and compassion; we were given another chance.
That is why God came to earth - to SHOW us how to live, how to love. There is still darkness in the world; but it is less dark now. God’s light is shining and it is glowing brighter and brighter, as we, with God’s help, become new creations. As we experience God’s love, mercy and compassion, we are able to share this with others. We change; we become more loving; we forgive more easily and we change the world.
Tonight, and from this point on, let us hear, let us fully receive again the Good News - for a child has been born for us - a son given to us. Authority rests on his shoulders and he is named: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually and there shall be endless peace.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen.
Holy Communion
Before Jesus was his mother.
Before supper
in the upper room,
breakfast in the barn.
Before the Passover Feast,
a feeding trough.
And here, the altar of Earth, fair linens of hay and seed.
Before his cry,
her cry.
Before his sweat of blood,
Her bleeding; and tears.
Before his offering, hers.
Before the breaking of bread and death,
the breaking of her body, in birth.
Before the offering of the cup,
the offering of her breast.
Before his blood, her blood.
And by her body, and blood alone,
his body and blood and whole human being.
The wise ones knelt
to hear the woman’s word in wonder.
Holding up her sacred child,
God, in the form of a babe,
she said: “Receive and let
your hearts be healed; and your lives be filled with love,
for … This is my body, This is my blood.”
Alla Renee Bozarth in Life Prayers:365 Prayers, Blessings and Affirmations to Celebrate the Human Journey. Edited by Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon © 1996 Harper
Joy to the World!
1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Charge and Blessing
Tonight, rejoice, for unto a child is born and He is the Savior of creation. Now may this amazing love of God be with you, be with your family and be with all who are our family. And all God’s people say….
People: Alleluia, Amen.
The mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Le Claire is to continue to be a warm and welcoming church that actively shows the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Glory to God! Christ is born!
A Moment of Silence to Prepare Our Hearts for Worship
O Come, All Ye Faithful vs 3
3 Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation!
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all
Glory in the highest!
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord!
Call to Worship
L: Jesus said, "I am the light of the world.” We wonder at the Light who shines in the darkness;
P: we wonder at the new light that transforms us.
L: Christ has come, and God's Word is present to us in a new way.
P: we wonder at the new light that transforms us.
L: We wonder at God's Light, present since before the beginning, yet ever new.
P: We marvel at the new things that God has done.
L: Tonight we light the Christ candle; and we wonder at the miracle and mystery of God at work among us.
P: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”
L: We wonder at Emmanuel, the Light who transforms us.
P: Alleluia! Praise God!
O Come, All Ye Faithful vs 1
1 O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem!
Come, and behold Him,
Born the King of angels!
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord!
The First Lesson: Adam and Eve disrupt the goodness of creation
When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”
“Who told you that you were naked?” the LORD God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me; she gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” Then the LORD God asked the woman, “What have you done?”
“The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” Then the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust, as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”
And to the man, God said, “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree
whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you.
All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow, you will have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”
Prayer of Confession:
Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, you created us to be reflections of your glory. When we fell short, you held our hands and walked with us out of the garden into all the corners of the earth. Always, you light our way. Again, and again, you called us out of darkness, to be people of light. And now, you have sent your Son, Christ Jesus, the light of the world. Through Him we have been forgiven. We praise you and rejoice with all Creation! Thanks be to God!
The Second Lesson: God’s covenant with Abraham
Then God said to him, “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! You will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations; and kings will be among them. I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants; from generation to generation.”
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
The Third Lesson: Isaiah 9 The promise of the Messiah
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
1 It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold;
"Peace on the earth, good will to all,
From heaven's all gracious King":
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.
The Fourth Lesson: The Messiah will come from the root of Jesse
Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot - yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance; nor, make a decision based on hearsay.
He will give justice to the poor, and; make fair decisions for the exploited.
The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together.
The lion will eat hay like a cow. The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra.
Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.
Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
1 O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
The Fifth Lesson: Luke 1 An angel appears to Mary
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
1 Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King.
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
The Sixth Lesson: Luke 2 travel to Bethlehem, where Mary gives birth
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
Away in a Manger
1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The Seventh Lesson: Angels announce the birth of the Messiah
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. ”They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.
Angels We Have Heard on High
1 Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo;
Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
EIGHTH LESSON: John 1:1-14 The Word of God becomes flesh and lives among us
In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
So, the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
Silent Night, Holy Night
1 Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon virgin mother and Child!
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Message A Living Example
This evening we heard about times when God’s people turned from God. God told Adam and Eve how to live, what to do and what not to do. God walked in the garden with them; but they chose to say no to God. They sinned and they left the garden. Centuries later, God gave a covenant to Abraham, saying “You will be my people and I will be your God.” Moses received the Ten Commandments: A written word, specific directions - yet, the people sinned. They chose other gods.
We heard how God was faithful in caring for God’s people. There were covenants – God’s promises that God would not abandon His people. There were prophets who foretold what was to come and how the people could re-turn, turn back to God. With each covenant, with calls from prophets, a little light was added to the world. That’s why we lit a candle after every reading. To show that God was and is present; is light and hope in our lives. Yet, the people were in darkness; often they chose to stay in darkness, because mostly they were self-centered; they were lazy and thoughtless, drifting back to their old ways.
Always there were a faithful few. They were hopeful; they remembered God’s promises; especially the promise to King David, that a Messiah would come, to save the world. Isaiah’s words about a bright light and, a virgin giving birth, were words of hope and a better tomorrow. The faithful understood what the prophets said, “Do not be afraid. Trust in God. Times of prosperity, peace and justice will come to those who trust in and wait on the Lord.” But, because kings chose not to trust God, the majority of people continue to be afraid and full of despair. They longed for freedom from fear, doubt and oppression. Rather than hearing and believing this good news from Isaiah and other prophets, they turned to other gods; they lost their way and they were conquered.
Centuries later, this message from Isaiah also announces the birth of Jesus Christ. In Isaiah’s time, the birth of the child was a sign to trust in God. When Jesus was born, Jesus was not just a sign, saying trust in God. Jesus is God on earth; God here on earth, to tell us we can trust God, we can love and hope because God is with us.
When Jesus was born, the Jews were again living in a dark time, oppressed by Rome and Herod. They suffered high taxes, religious persecution, illness and early death. Today, we also seem to be living in a dark time – Covid-19, causing many illnesses and deaths; we have financial woes, racial injustice, hunger and homelessness. The Jews wanted a savior to ride in on a great horse - to save and restore their power. Often, we want someone to fix our problems - a new president and congress, a stable financial picture, miracle drugs to cure disease, racial equality without doing the work, and homes, food for those in need.
God’s answer was shocking then; and, it is shocking now! God’s answer is a newborn baby, a living example of love, grace and new life. Kings past and present were not impressed - a newborn baby is weak and helpless. The kings missed God’s message. What about us? Do we miss God’s message? Only God, creator, sustainer and redeemer, can give new life. We see how God creates new life, new covenant new hopes throughout Biblical history. When we look closely, we even see how God has created new life in us! I certainly have seen new life, new ideas, growth and understanding of love and forgiveness in my life and in the lives around me. One theologian asks, “What is a more fitting sign of God’s love than creation of new life, even in the midst of a broken world? It is no wonder this new baby is named . . . . Jesus - which means . . . . Yahweh saves (God saves). . . . God’s sign of love for the world is now God’s own Son, born so the world will be saved” (Feasting on the Word, Year B, Vol. 1, Tanner, p. 101).
Jesus is the light for the dark world, for the dark times in which we live. Yet, I would be lying to say that there is no darkness since Jesus was born. The world is dark and troubled. We experience illness, loneliness and heartache. We know people who are struggling physically, financially or emotionally. We hear about those who are starving, mistreated and oppressed. Yes, the world is dark and in need of light and hope. Jesus is the Light and The Way to new life for all of us.
Yet, Jesus did not come to force, demand or coerce His Way. He did not come with power and might, on a great stallion, to CHANGE THE WORLD in an instant. Rather, Jesus came to show us God’s love. Jesus came to show us a new way to live; a way of gentleness, hope and love. When we say yes to Jesus, we are given new life; we are given a new way to live.
God promised a new covenant written on our hearts. God promised a light to shine in the darkness; His holy presence in our lives. Jesus shows us in word and action, how to love, how to live. As we live and love like Jesus, we are changed. We become the LIGHT for the dark world. Our new way of interacting with others shines God’s light on the world. With the presence of the Holy Spirit, we share God’s love with others.
When I was eleven, my parents bought a building in downtown Monticello for their flower shop. It had been empty for several years and needed a good cleaning. Dad sent us four kids downstairs to play, while he and Mom cleaned the main floor. There wasn’t much to do downstairs . . . until we found the old coal room, complete with coal, a coal shoot, and a swinging half door. Soon, we were having all sorts of fun in that black, sooty powder. It was everywhere, on our clothes, on our faces and in our hair! Then, before we knew it, Dad called us upstairs.
The minute we saw him, and he saw us, his dismay and anger were apparent. He said, “I was going to take you out to eat, but you are filthy! Why did you get so dirty?” When we tried to tell him about our fun, he wasn’t really interested - if you know what I mean! He lined us up by the tiny bathroom and washed us the best he could. Then we went home to peanut butter sandwiches. The next day, we returned to the shop, this time with books, toys and rules about staying out of the coal room!
At the end of the day, we were mostly clean; and we went to the A&W for root beer and cheeseburgers!
Dad showed us how to rightly play in the basement of that store. Dad showed us forgiveness and compassion; we were given another chance.
That is why God came to earth - to SHOW us how to live, how to love. There is still darkness in the world; but it is less dark now. God’s light is shining and it is glowing brighter and brighter, as we, with God’s help, become new creations. As we experience God’s love, mercy and compassion, we are able to share this with others. We change; we become more loving; we forgive more easily and we change the world.
Tonight, and from this point on, let us hear, let us fully receive again the Good News - for a child has been born for us - a son given to us. Authority rests on his shoulders and he is named: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually and there shall be endless peace.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen.
Holy Communion
Before Jesus was his mother.
Before supper
in the upper room,
breakfast in the barn.
Before the Passover Feast,
a feeding trough.
And here, the altar of Earth, fair linens of hay and seed.
Before his cry,
her cry.
Before his sweat of blood,
Her bleeding; and tears.
Before his offering, hers.
Before the breaking of bread and death,
the breaking of her body, in birth.
Before the offering of the cup,
the offering of her breast.
Before his blood, her blood.
And by her body, and blood alone,
his body and blood and whole human being.
The wise ones knelt
to hear the woman’s word in wonder.
Holding up her sacred child,
God, in the form of a babe,
she said: “Receive and let
your hearts be healed; and your lives be filled with love,
for … This is my body, This is my blood.”
Alla Renee Bozarth in Life Prayers:365 Prayers, Blessings and Affirmations to Celebrate the Human Journey. Edited by Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon © 1996 Harper
Joy to the World!
1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Charge and Blessing
Tonight, rejoice, for unto a child is born and He is the Savior of creation. Now may this amazing love of God be with you, be with your family and be with all who are our family. And all God’s people say….
People: Alleluia, Amen.
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