“The Broken Baby Jesus”
(Nach Bhfuil Muid Sinn Fein). (1)
John’s 24th Annual Christmas Poem
By John R. Wible
December 25, 2009
1. Athair Uí Mháille (2)
Father O’Malley (3) paused pensively behind the serviceable pastor’s desk, his hands clasped, fingers interlocked behind his head, pondering the Advent season at St. Dominic’s, a tiny parish on O’Connell Street near St. James Hospital in Dublin. It was nearly Christmas, the Christmas of 1916 –the Christmas after the “Easter Rising” of 1916 (4) which had so ferociously fueled the feelings of Irish nationalism and heightened the hatred of the Protestant “interlopers”"deported” there centuries ago by William of Orange.
Father O’Malley was a likable sort, in touch with God and in touch with his parishioners; a man who was ever the peacemaker (5) even in those times of terrible trouble. He had come to the priesthood later than many, having trained for a time as a physician. “Then God called him to heal men’s souls rather than their bodies,” so he was wont to hold.
2. A bhriseadh (6)
The good Father’s contemplations of Christmas were interrupted by a knock at his study door, a timid, yet pregnant knock, the kind of knock that might mean mischief – and mischief it was for it was Sister Maud Gonne (7) whom Father O’Malley could discern was even more downcast than usual.
Sister Maud, raised in a good Catholic family had taken her nun’s vows not long after her beloved sister, Constance had, against the great wishes of Maud and her whole family, “ran off and married that man” - the Protestant, Lovic Friend. Though she had vowed, inter alia, to be a woman of charity for all, Sister Maud had maintained a secret scathing and a bias about this in her breast to such a degree that she had indeed disowned her sister, Constance because of it. Thus the typical flat affect she wore like a hard-bitten habit.
“Oh, Father O’Malley, a turrible thing has happent,” came the words which followed the knock hurriedly flying through the (8) chamber door. “I’ve broke the Baby Jesus.” Ever the peacemaker, and ever the gentle soul he was, Father O’Malley said, “now calm down, Sister Maud, come in and tell me what you mean, ”you’ve broke the baby Jesus.” “Come wi’ me and let me show ye,” she pleaded. The good Pastor obliged and followed the nun to the site where the manger scene was to be placed near the dais of the altar in the centre of the sanctuary.
3. An briste baby Íosa (9)
(10) Now, the prized possession and most sacred relic of St. Dominic’s was its exquisite porcelain manger scene of almost life-sized proportioned figures, fashioned long ago, so long ago, in fact that no one really knew who made it or even from whence it had come. It seemed to have (11) pre-existed the church - Mary, Joseph, the Wisemen, the Shepherds and Angels, three camels and two sheep . . . and of course, the Baby Jesus in a manger; a beautiful Baby Jesus of the most delicate features and intricate detail down to the eyelashes and fingernails. It almost seemed human – truly a work of art that no one could explain.
The Baby Jesus – ah, therein laid the problem – literally. In the doing of her duties being careful to unwrap each piece and set it up in the manger scene, just as she had done many Christmases hence, Sister Maud did the unthinkable. As careful as she ever was, she somehow and for some inexplicable reason, dropped the Baby Jesus onto the marble floor of the dais. And that exquisite Baby Jesus in an instant, shattered into a thousand ash-like pieces – totally irreparable and perfectly irreplaceable.
Father O’Malley’s jaw dropped as though he had been hit with one of the bricks hurled at the (12) General Post Office in the Easter Rising. “Father, what are we gonna do?” pleaded the desperate nun. Father O’Malley’s first thoughts were likewise those of desperation because this Sunday was the Christmas Mass always proclaimed from the manger with the Baby Jesus as the centre-piece. “What would the congregation think? What would they do? Would they turn their outraged against Sister Maud?” wondered the Curate. His pastor’s heart went out to the sad and silent Sister Maud who must, he knew, be devasted.
“Now, now, Sister Maud, doncha be a-worryin’ yourself none, the Good Lord give us this manger scene and He’ll be a-findin’ a way for us to unite it once again – somehow.” “Somehow,” he thought. “But how?” He wasn’t sure he believed his own words.
4. An coiste eaglais (13)
He summoned the Parish Relations Committee for St. Dominic’s: (14) John McBride, Joseph Plunkett, Patrick Pearse, Thomas MacDunagh, Eamonn Ceannt and Mollie Malone (15). Patrick Pearse, the always Arch-Chairman, appointed himself to search for a suitable substitute.
He scoured the streets of Dublin and finally found himself in an art gallery – actually, a sculptor’s studio, the finest in County Dublin. Mr. Pearse explained the confounding circumstances and showed the great sculptor one of the smaller pieces he had taken with him as an ensample. The sculptor studied the sample carefully, very carefully and then exclaimed, “I’ve never seen or even heard of such work. Shure and it would take months to create a piece like this if, in fact, it could be created.”
Disappointed and deflated, Mr. Pearse passed through a number of other, but lesser shops with the same outcome and receiving similar comments. Finished, he reported the sad tiding back to the Committee which, unable to act, adjourned without finding a solution to the problem leaving it in the hands of Father O’Malley.
5. Cur chuige na Nollag (16)
Day turned to night; night turned to day and Christmas Eve approached. Father O’Malley thought that night about what could substitute for the broken Baby Jesus. And as he was careful to do, he prayed, “Dear Father, I know that you’re the giver of all good and perfect gifts. You, Yourself, musta supplied us wi’ the Baby Jesus once before, now I pray that ye do it for us yet a second time over. In that Baby Jesus’ name I’m a-prayin’, AMEN.”
Then his thoughts turned to the parish people and then to the Parish Relations Committee. “And a fine lot they are,” he mused with more than a wee bit of irony in his thoughts for each of them because though somewhat devout people in their own way and leaders in the Parish, each, like all of us, was a flawed figure.
(17) John McBride was a banker to whom Yeats referred as a (18) “vain-glorious lout.” He had forged a fortune charging usury to poor people. Joseph Plunkett’s family was his pride and joy, perhaps too much so, for his love of them rivaled his love for God. (19) Billy Yeats had become a poet of note whose success and self-assuredness grew with each publication of a new work. And then there was Patrick Pearse, the “school master” and man behind the scenes who enjoyed the power of control while appearing pious. Thomas MacDunaugh was an Irish patriot who thought of a free Ireland as his greatest goal in life.
Now Eamonn Ceannt was an enigma, though he cherished the Church, truly, yet this love appeared to exceed his love of the God and Christ whose Church it was. Lastly was “Sweet” Mollie Malone. Mollie Malone was once a prostitute whom Father O’Malley had rescued from the life of the street and who now stood tall in the Parish hierarchy despite having “been nice to the gentlemen” while on her back. It seemed that she was “looking for love in all the wrong places,” thinking that love would fill the “God-sized cavity in her heart. But of course, it never did – or could. “Yes,” fancied Father O’Malley, “shure and a fine lot they are, but they’re merely people, just like me, and no different really from the rest of the Parish – or any parish.”
Just before dropping off to a fitful sleep, the Good Father thought of the inconsolable Sister Maud and of his words to her about the broken Baby Jesus, “the Good Lord’ll provide.” And at that, he fell fast asleep.
With the issue unresolved and still up in the cold Irish air, Christmas Eve blew in on a cold, snowy northwest wind. Day turned to night and the parishioners began to congregate at the Church for the annual mass. Carols were sung by the choir and the merry organ was played by the converted Mollie Malone, no less, then came the time for the traditional teaching from the manger. The liturgy specified that the Curate was to display for all to see the Baby Jesus, taken from his manger. As he rehearsed the blessed Christmas story, explaining what each event meant and urging all who saw and heard with their eyes and ears to keep that same signal Christmas and the real and authentic Baby Jesus in their hearts true.
6. Athrú ar an liotúirge (20)
Now Father O’Malley, knowing that he had no Baby Jesus to hold up, changed the liturgy. He thought better of giving the traditional address about this Baby Jesus, rather, he recounted the Christmas story as St. Luke had told it and then urged the congregation to gather around the manger scene and gaze upon it, letting the Spirit of God preach to each individual parishioner the sermon each needed to hear and to see the Baby Jesus, not as this Baby Jesus was, a broken pile of (21) ashes but as each truly saw Him with their heart’s eye.
Each congregant obliged and gathered near the manger. Departing from the age-old offering of liturgy, Father O’Malley pulled back the swaddling clothes covering the manger to reveal the pile of ash-like porcelain where this Baby Jesus had once lain. The congregants were taken aback and murmured with shock. “Now, now, settle down,” chastised the Curate. “I challenge each of ye to gaze upon this pile of ashes and see what the Good Lord aims for ye to see.”
7. Fís Fíor (22)
Somewhat begrudgingly, each did fix his or her gaze on that pile of ashes. And then, after a moment, each seemed to look through the eyes of the God of their heart to reveal their very own Baby Jesus. It was not at all what the Curate had expected.
John McBride thought of his bank and the money that lay in it – and maybe how it got there; Joseph Plunkett gazed over a scene of his family at the Yuletide feast thinking how much he loved them, maybe more than anything in this or any other world; Yeats yearned for the next poem he would write. Had he fallen too far from the faith? Patrick Pearse thought as how had he known that Father O’Malley would so deviate from the liturgy in this manner, he would have urged the Curate to do differently, but could he control this circumstance? Thomas MacDunaugh gazed intently and it seemed to him that he saw a green Ireland rising from an orange sea free from the clutches of England and free from the influence of the Protestants, the hated Protestants; would he ever halt that hatred? Lastly, Mollie Malone, the “lady of the evening” turned church organist saw the ashes and thought how her life had been but a pile of ashes in the years she had spent looking for love and giving pleasure and entertainment to the gentlemen and she tried to see the faces of each but realized that they were all faceless.
A hush fell on the congregation as they all looked at each other realizing what each had seen. Perhaps this was the way it was supposed to be. Maybe God, in His infinite wisdom was telling each of them that nothing could really take the place of the Baby Jesus, no earthly thing. All these things, they realized, for good or ill, were in reality just dust ascending into the air, ashes to be blown by a snowy north wind to God knows where.
8. An choimhthíoch ag an doras (23)
At that moment, the back door of the church flung open and a poor, bedraggled and cold man came in and up to the front. “Father,” he said to O’Malley, “I’m Lovic Friend (24) and my wife is Connie. She’s outside in the cold. I’m a-tryin’ ti’ get her to St. James hospital. She’s gonna have a baby and, well, the baby is a-coming now. We saw the lights and came in. Can ye help us?”
The congregation all gasped as one but then . . . “Certainly,” replied the Father as the congregation nodded. “Get her in out of the cold, man!” “Connie,” the man motioned, “come on in.” Just as she shuffled over the threshold of the holy door, she grasps her great belly and groaned. “It’s time … it’s happening now.”
“Lay her on the pew,” ordered Sister Maud, who took her by the hand … a familiar hand... a surprisingly familiar hand. “Connie – Constance?” Are you my sister Constance?” “Yes, I am” was the anguished answer. Sister Maud and several ladies of the church attended as Father O’Malley, now turned physician, delivered a fine baby boy. Someone brought the swaddling clothes from the manger and they wrapped him in them. Then there was silence … silence except for the soft cry of the new born babe.
9. Dia ar fáil (25)
After a time, Father O’Malley held the babe up for everyone to see. “Look, look, God has provided a baby Jesus for us! He’s not porcelain and he’s not ash, nor is he all or any of those things you saw in the manger. He is flesh and blood and he is with us! Truly, he is Emmanuel!
Sister Maud with years’ worth of tears streaming down her face tightly twined around her true sister, Constance from whom she had been estranged for lo these many years. In that moment, all was forgotten and forgiven and O’Malley, Maud and each observer understood that God had worked a miracle, nay, two miracles, nay, many more miracles than anyone could count for it was a different miracle for each, yet in one way, the same miracle.
In a moment, someone began to sing, "Oíche Chiúin, Oíche Naofa " and they all joined in for truly this once silent night had become a holy night. God had provided the Baby Jesus and now everyone saw him in the manger.
***
Is your Baby Jesus broken? Is your Baby … Jesus?
Nollaig Shona (26) and Merry Christmas
John R. Wible
Notes:
1. Irish Gaelic for “We are not ourselves alone.” All the foreign words herein are Irish-Gaelic.
2. “Father O’Malley
3. Father O’Malley is taken from the Bing Crosby character in the movie “Going My Way.”
4. The story is set against the religious tension between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland and the hatred of the native Irish of the English. I would be helpful to the reader to Read Yeats’ “Easter – 1916” and Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller. The story draws on both of those.
5. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God”. Matt. 5:9.
6. A knock at the door
7. Except for Mollie Malone and WB Yeats (Billy), all the other characters were leaders in the 1916 uprising which failed initialed but ultimately succeeded.
8. “Chamber door” from Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven.”
9. A Broken Baby Jesus
10. The mystery of the origin of the pieces adds a note of transcendence to the story.
11. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1:1.
12. The General Post Office was attacked and overtaken by the Irish patriots but then surrendered in 3 days.
13. The Church Committee
14. All members of the Irish patriot band.
15. From the Irish Ballad, “Mollie Malone” about a street prostitute who sells herself under the guise of selling “cockles and muscles alive, alive oh.”
16. Christmas approaches
17. Each person represents a Christ substitute.
18. Yeats so calls him in “Easter- 1916.”
19. The Irish poet and Nobel-laureate, William Butler Yeats who was not involved in the Easter Rising.
20. A Change in the liturgy.
21. All our false gods will be ultimately burned up in eternity as though dust.
22. True vision
23. The Stranger at the door.
24. A well-known protestant who was vice-commander of the English force that put down the revolt of 1916.
25. God provides.
26. “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
27. Merry Christmas
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Gilgal Hanging of the Green Service
HANGING OF THE GREEN SERVICE
Prelude Joy Sherman
Welcome John Saxon
Greeting Song “Good Christian Men Rejoice”
Call to Worship
Worship Leader: Tonight, we come together to prepare for the birthday of a King.
Congregation: Tonight we make ready our welcome for God’s only Son, Jesus of Nazareth.
Worship Leader: We begin this special and holy season of Advent, the season of preparing our hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Congregation: As we renew the special meaning of the Advent season, and the message of new hope and eternal life.
Worship Leader: Let us clear our minds and open our hearts to the coming of the Lord.
Congregation: Let us also honor His birth by adorning our church for the coming of our King.
Worship Leader: Let our songs and symbols represent our personal rededication of the glory of God and the manifestation of His love
Congregation: Through His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Invocation Bro. Bart
Worship Leader: What is Advent?
We are gathered here tonight at the beginning of the season of advent. This is not the first time that we have gathered for this reason. Most likely, it will not be the last. The word advent means, “Coming.” During this season, we celebrate the coming of Christ at Bethlehem, his coming into our hearts, and his Second Coming. Traditionally, this season is not a celebration of Christmas, for that comes on the December 25th. Rather, this is a time to prepare our lives and hearts for Christmas, that we may receive Christ once again and make him present to the world through us.
Everything about the Advent season points to a tiny baby in a manger on the outskirts of Bethlehem. But who was this baby around whom angels sang and shepherds came? Who was this child that threatened earthly rulers and beckoned wise men to come and worship? Who was this little baby that lies in the arms of a young virgin named Mary?
It would be a question that would follow him his whole life – even his own disciples didn’t always get it. Jesus would one day ask the disciples in Matthew 16:16:
“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
They replied, "Some says John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Yes, He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Lord of lords and King of kings, the Son of God. He is all this and more. Yes, this is a season of preparation, a season of lights, of candles, of carols and greenery. It is a season of laughter and joy, of family and friends. It is a season of gifts – a celebration of the greatest gift of all. As we decorate, we don’t do it just to make our sanctuary pretty, though we would all probably agree that it does. We don’t do it because it makes us feel warm and cozy inside, though that might very well happen. We decorate because every little piece of decoration is a sign – a symbol. Everything that we place tonight helps to answer that question, who is this baby that lies in the manger?
As we worship tonight, may we experience the most profound emotion of the Advent season – that of hope. We live in the hope that God is faithful and Jesus’ words will one day ring true, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may also be going.” Let us worship together with the praise that was echoed by the early church: Maranatha! “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Carol: “Emmanuel” #82
Johnnie Hartley Jesus, “The Incarnate Word”
The Wreaths
(Wreaths are pointed out during the narration)
Scripture and Narration John 1:1-5, 14
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 was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Who is this baby in the manger? He was there in the beginning. All things were created by him and through him. He was life itself. He did not just possess life, he was life. He is life. The story of Christmas does not begin in a manger in Bethlehem. No, the story of Christmas begins much, much earlier – before anything was ever created, Jesus was there and life itself came into being because of him. As we hang the wreaths on the wall, they are a reminder of the eternal Christ. They are shaped in a circle, with no beginning and no end, a reminder that Christ’s life did not start in the manger, but that he is life. “The Word became flesh,” the scriptures tell us, and yet Jesus has been, and will be, the Christ for all eternity. Let us rejoice, for the Messiah, the Christ, has come!
Hymn: “Come Thou Almighty King” #247
Charles Mitchell: “Jesus, God’s Gift to Us”
Giving of Christmas Gifts
Scripture and Narration John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
From the begin Christmas celebrations, gift giving has been a part of the season. The Wise Men gave out of their treasures, three gifts in fact, gold, frankincense and myrrh, and the Shepherds gave of themselves. Both express the Gift of God in giving Christ as the Savior of the World.
Unique in our history of generous givers is the story of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Lycia in the fourth century A.D. He is reputed to have been wealthy, his emblem being three purses and three golden balls. This was the symbol of rich Italian families of his time. It survives today in the signs of some of our pawnshops. The good Bishop gave his money away secretly to those whom he found in need. He was deeply interested in young people, giving his wealth especially to maidens whose lack of a dowry was affecting their matrimonial future, and to needy boys. Gifts coming from unknown sources were commonly attributed to him and parents customarily gave him credit for their gifts to their children.
The discovery of his generosity is said to have been made by the father of three dowry-less daughters. The eldest two each received from the chimney on successive nights a substantial gift of gold with her name on it. The father resolved to watch and see who their generous benefactor could be. His vigil revealed the good Saint Nicholas as the donor of the gifts. His name survives today as the human embodiment of unselfish giving.
Hanging up our stockings in pleasant anticipation of Santa's gifts may have originated from the fact that the maidens of this Bishopric of Myra, needing and expecting a dowry from the good Saint Nicholas, suspended a stocking to catch the money purse the generous Bishop was sure to drop down the chimney.
Carol: “There is a Redeemer” (New Baptist Hymnal) # 279
Nellie Garner Jesus, “The Light of the World”
The Candles
Scripture and Narration John 1:6-10; 8:12
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
Altar candles are lit during the reading.
“In most cultures a Candle in the Window was used to signal a Family's loyalty to a loved one who was away traveling. It let that person know the family awaited their return and the hearth was warm and waiting for them. In Ireland during times of religious persecution, the Window Candle signaled the location of religious services. In Colonial America a Candle in the Window was used to honor dignitaries, announce births, and just plain celebrate.” The candles we place have a two-fold purpose. As the scripture says, Jesus is the true light, the light of the world, the one who dispels darkness forever. He told his followers as well, you are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We carry the light of Christ within us, not just through the Christmas season, but all year ‘round, and are commanded to call people out of the darkness of sin and death. Our calling is to be a mirror – as the light of Christ shines on us and into our hearts; we are to reflect that light to the world. The candles also remind us that Jesus has promised to return. We wait expectantly for his promise to be fulfilled. We are to be always ready, anticipating our honored guest, for we do not know when that day will be.
Hymn: “Shine, Jesus, Shine” #579
Johnnie Hartley Jesus, “The Life”
The Evergreens and the Christmas tree
Scripture and Narration John 1:11-13; 3:3, 6; 2 Corinthians 5:17
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God . . . That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Greenery is brought in during reading
What better celebration of life than the birth of a baby? It reminds us all how precious life is, how life itself is nothing less than a miracle. As a little child receives life for the first time, we are in awe of the life we have also received and the handiwork of God. But the baby Jesus in the manger was not given life, he was life. But not only that, he is the giver of eternal life. For all of us who have put our faith in Jesus, we have been born again. We have received new life, abundant life, and eternal life through him. As we hang the greenery, the evergreens, they are a reminder of this life that never ends. They remind us that this little baby has been from the beginning and will be for all eternity. They remind us of our hope in the future – that even though we see merely a reflection of heaven today, we will one day see Jesus face-to-face and will experience true life for all eternity as we live with the Father in heaven.
Carol: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!” #88
Nellie Garner The Christmas Tree
Children are invited to decorate the two Christmas trees
Today, the Christmas tree is the center of our festivities. Glittering with lights and ornaments, it is a part of the beauty and meaning of Christmas. There are several legends and stories about the Christmas tree.
The first use of the Christmas tree was in the medieval German Paradise Plays, held outdoors and portraying the creation of humankind. The Tree of Life was a fir tree decorated with apples. Later other ornaments were hung upon them, such as paper flowers and gilded nuts. In England branches or whole trees were forced into bloom indoors for Christmas. From these beginnings the use of a tree at Christmas was established. Martin Luther was perhaps the first to use a lighted tree.
The story is told that on one Christmas Eve Martin Luther wandered outdoors and became enraptured with the beauty of the starry sky. Its brilliance and loveliness led him to reflect on the glory of the first Christmas Eve as seen in Bethlehem's radiant skies. Wishing to share with his wife and children the enchantment he had felt, he cut from the forest an evergreen, glistening with snow, and took it home. He placed upon it candles to represent the glorious heavens he had seen. The use of a candle-lighted tree spread to all Europe, then America came to regard it as the central ornament of Christmas.
Carol: “The Birthday of a King” #102
Charles Mitchell Jesus, “The Way”
The Star Atop the Tree
Scripture and Narration John 14:6, Matthew 2: 1,2,9
Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father but by me. . .
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. . . and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.
Start atop the tree is pointed out.
Just as the Star of Bethlehem pointed the way for the wise men to find the Christ child, so that Christ child grown to be fully man while being fully God points the way for us to come back to God from whose presence we have strayed. Many men over many centuries have tried to find God thinking that there are many ways, many still so think, but there is only one Way and that Way is Jesus. We place a star atop our tree to remind us of the star that led the wise men. The star led the way, but more so to remind us that Jesus is the way.
Carol: “There’s a Song in the Air” (New Baptist Hymnal) # 185
Nellie Garner Jesus, “The Savior”
The Poinsettias
Scripture and Narration Romans 5:6-11
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Poinsettias are brought in during reading
The bright, blood-red poinsettia has become the most popular of all Christmas flowers. “The legend of the poinsettia tells of a poor village boy in Mexico who wanted to give the Holy Child a gift, but had no money. In desperation, he picked some weeds on his way to church to leave as his gift. He prayed to God to help him show his love and God answered by turning the weeds into a beautiful star-shaped flower with bright red leaves. The poinsettia has been a Christmas symbol ever since signifying how Jesus meets the needs of His believers.” The star of the flower is said to represent the star that stood over the Christ Child, while the red leaves represents the shed blood of Christ who came to be our Savior. Let the poinsettias of Christmas always be a reminder that the cross looms close to the humble manger – and that the baby that was born there, was born to die a cruel death and to reconcile us to the Father.
Carol: “O Holy Night” (New Baptist Hymnal) # 194
Charles Mitchell: Jesus, “The Alpha and Omega”
The Nativity
Scripture and Narration Revelation 1:4-8
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
Nativity is pointed out in the baptistery.
One of the most heart-warming expressions of Christmas is the Nativity. The Nativity speaks of the mystery of God's wisdom. Why God chose to send his son into our world as a baby of humble birth, born in common surroundings, we do not know. What we do know is that God reached out to all people including the poor and wealthy, the simple and the wise, the powerless and the powerful. All who found him knelt in humility before him. Knowing God is possible because he came to us, at our level. Whenever we see a Nativity we find ourselves with Mary and Joseph; with the Shepherds, and with the Wise Men; bowing before the manger, overwhelmed by God's expression of love in coming to us.
Today we display a Nativity in our sanctuary, and many of us, outside our homes. Who is this Holy child in the manger? Why the angel’s songs? Why such great celebration? Amidst the cooing and crying, laughter and tears, spit-up and dirty diapers, was it evident to anyone just who this baby really was? Could you look into those little sparkling eyes and the see the whole of creation reflected there? Did anyone suspect that this little bundle of joy was the Alpha (the beginning through whom all things were created) and the Omega (the end, the final sacrifice, the reconciler of the world)? Do we even realize that today as we celebrate some 2,000 years later? Maybe Mark Lowry captured it best when he wrote:
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I Am.
As we gather together this Advent, let us prepare our hearts – not for just one more season of pretty lights and flowers, trees and presents, parties and relatives. Let us gather around the manger and peer in on the Christ Child – the Word made flesh; the Light of the World; The Way, The Truth, and The Life; The Savior; the Alpha and Omega; the Messiah. Let us come, let us worship, Christ the Lord!
Carol “O Come, All Ye Faithful” #89
Worship Leader Jesus, “Our Joy”
Scripture and Narration Luke 2:10; I Thess. 2:19; Col. 3:16
For behold I bring you good tidings of great joy for unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.. . .
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?
At Christmas time, we greet each other with the traditional greeting, “Merry Christmas.” It is a greeting, yes, but it is a prayer as well, for it means, “May you have a merry Christmas.” How bleak and dull would be the world if we’re not for Jesus, but, thanks be to God, He did come amidst Angel choirs praising for Joy – truly, as Paul says, He is our Joy.
Scripture and Narration Col. 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And so we go out into the world to proclaim from the highest to the lowest that “Jesus Christ is born.”
Carol “Joy to the World” #87
Benediction Bro. Bart
And now may God, Creator of light, and trees and flowers, grant us peace. As we have decorated this place of worship, may we also live lives of worship decorated with God’s forever things—forever love, forever life, forever living, forever growing, forever…green. In the name of God’s love and light in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prelude Joy Sherman
Welcome John Saxon
Greeting Song “Good Christian Men Rejoice”
Call to Worship
Worship Leader: Tonight, we come together to prepare for the birthday of a King.
Congregation: Tonight we make ready our welcome for God’s only Son, Jesus of Nazareth.
Worship Leader: We begin this special and holy season of Advent, the season of preparing our hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Congregation: As we renew the special meaning of the Advent season, and the message of new hope and eternal life.
Worship Leader: Let us clear our minds and open our hearts to the coming of the Lord.
Congregation: Let us also honor His birth by adorning our church for the coming of our King.
Worship Leader: Let our songs and symbols represent our personal rededication of the glory of God and the manifestation of His love
Congregation: Through His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Invocation Bro. Bart
Worship Leader: What is Advent?
We are gathered here tonight at the beginning of the season of advent. This is not the first time that we have gathered for this reason. Most likely, it will not be the last. The word advent means, “Coming.” During this season, we celebrate the coming of Christ at Bethlehem, his coming into our hearts, and his Second Coming. Traditionally, this season is not a celebration of Christmas, for that comes on the December 25th. Rather, this is a time to prepare our lives and hearts for Christmas, that we may receive Christ once again and make him present to the world through us.
Everything about the Advent season points to a tiny baby in a manger on the outskirts of Bethlehem. But who was this baby around whom angels sang and shepherds came? Who was this child that threatened earthly rulers and beckoned wise men to come and worship? Who was this little baby that lies in the arms of a young virgin named Mary?
It would be a question that would follow him his whole life – even his own disciples didn’t always get it. Jesus would one day ask the disciples in Matthew 16:16:
“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
They replied, "Some says John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Yes, He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Lord of lords and King of kings, the Son of God. He is all this and more. Yes, this is a season of preparation, a season of lights, of candles, of carols and greenery. It is a season of laughter and joy, of family and friends. It is a season of gifts – a celebration of the greatest gift of all. As we decorate, we don’t do it just to make our sanctuary pretty, though we would all probably agree that it does. We don’t do it because it makes us feel warm and cozy inside, though that might very well happen. We decorate because every little piece of decoration is a sign – a symbol. Everything that we place tonight helps to answer that question, who is this baby that lies in the manger?
As we worship tonight, may we experience the most profound emotion of the Advent season – that of hope. We live in the hope that God is faithful and Jesus’ words will one day ring true, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may also be going.” Let us worship together with the praise that was echoed by the early church: Maranatha! “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Carol: “Emmanuel” #82
Johnnie Hartley Jesus, “The Incarnate Word”
The Wreaths
(Wreaths are pointed out during the narration)
Scripture and Narration John 1:1-5, 14
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 was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Who is this baby in the manger? He was there in the beginning. All things were created by him and through him. He was life itself. He did not just possess life, he was life. He is life. The story of Christmas does not begin in a manger in Bethlehem. No, the story of Christmas begins much, much earlier – before anything was ever created, Jesus was there and life itself came into being because of him. As we hang the wreaths on the wall, they are a reminder of the eternal Christ. They are shaped in a circle, with no beginning and no end, a reminder that Christ’s life did not start in the manger, but that he is life. “The Word became flesh,” the scriptures tell us, and yet Jesus has been, and will be, the Christ for all eternity. Let us rejoice, for the Messiah, the Christ, has come!
Hymn: “Come Thou Almighty King” #247
Charles Mitchell: “Jesus, God’s Gift to Us”
Giving of Christmas Gifts
Scripture and Narration John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
From the begin Christmas celebrations, gift giving has been a part of the season. The Wise Men gave out of their treasures, three gifts in fact, gold, frankincense and myrrh, and the Shepherds gave of themselves. Both express the Gift of God in giving Christ as the Savior of the World.
Unique in our history of generous givers is the story of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Lycia in the fourth century A.D. He is reputed to have been wealthy, his emblem being three purses and three golden balls. This was the symbol of rich Italian families of his time. It survives today in the signs of some of our pawnshops. The good Bishop gave his money away secretly to those whom he found in need. He was deeply interested in young people, giving his wealth especially to maidens whose lack of a dowry was affecting their matrimonial future, and to needy boys. Gifts coming from unknown sources were commonly attributed to him and parents customarily gave him credit for their gifts to their children.
The discovery of his generosity is said to have been made by the father of three dowry-less daughters. The eldest two each received from the chimney on successive nights a substantial gift of gold with her name on it. The father resolved to watch and see who their generous benefactor could be. His vigil revealed the good Saint Nicholas as the donor of the gifts. His name survives today as the human embodiment of unselfish giving.
Hanging up our stockings in pleasant anticipation of Santa's gifts may have originated from the fact that the maidens of this Bishopric of Myra, needing and expecting a dowry from the good Saint Nicholas, suspended a stocking to catch the money purse the generous Bishop was sure to drop down the chimney.
Carol: “There is a Redeemer” (New Baptist Hymnal) # 279
Nellie Garner Jesus, “The Light of the World”
The Candles
Scripture and Narration John 1:6-10; 8:12
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
Altar candles are lit during the reading.
“In most cultures a Candle in the Window was used to signal a Family's loyalty to a loved one who was away traveling. It let that person know the family awaited their return and the hearth was warm and waiting for them. In Ireland during times of religious persecution, the Window Candle signaled the location of religious services. In Colonial America a Candle in the Window was used to honor dignitaries, announce births, and just plain celebrate.” The candles we place have a two-fold purpose. As the scripture says, Jesus is the true light, the light of the world, the one who dispels darkness forever. He told his followers as well, you are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We carry the light of Christ within us, not just through the Christmas season, but all year ‘round, and are commanded to call people out of the darkness of sin and death. Our calling is to be a mirror – as the light of Christ shines on us and into our hearts; we are to reflect that light to the world. The candles also remind us that Jesus has promised to return. We wait expectantly for his promise to be fulfilled. We are to be always ready, anticipating our honored guest, for we do not know when that day will be.
Hymn: “Shine, Jesus, Shine” #579
Johnnie Hartley Jesus, “The Life”
The Evergreens and the Christmas tree
Scripture and Narration John 1:11-13; 3:3, 6; 2 Corinthians 5:17
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God . . . That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Greenery is brought in during reading
What better celebration of life than the birth of a baby? It reminds us all how precious life is, how life itself is nothing less than a miracle. As a little child receives life for the first time, we are in awe of the life we have also received and the handiwork of God. But the baby Jesus in the manger was not given life, he was life. But not only that, he is the giver of eternal life. For all of us who have put our faith in Jesus, we have been born again. We have received new life, abundant life, and eternal life through him. As we hang the greenery, the evergreens, they are a reminder of this life that never ends. They remind us that this little baby has been from the beginning and will be for all eternity. They remind us of our hope in the future – that even though we see merely a reflection of heaven today, we will one day see Jesus face-to-face and will experience true life for all eternity as we live with the Father in heaven.
Carol: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!” #88
Nellie Garner The Christmas Tree
Children are invited to decorate the two Christmas trees
Today, the Christmas tree is the center of our festivities. Glittering with lights and ornaments, it is a part of the beauty and meaning of Christmas. There are several legends and stories about the Christmas tree.
The first use of the Christmas tree was in the medieval German Paradise Plays, held outdoors and portraying the creation of humankind. The Tree of Life was a fir tree decorated with apples. Later other ornaments were hung upon them, such as paper flowers and gilded nuts. In England branches or whole trees were forced into bloom indoors for Christmas. From these beginnings the use of a tree at Christmas was established. Martin Luther was perhaps the first to use a lighted tree.
The story is told that on one Christmas Eve Martin Luther wandered outdoors and became enraptured with the beauty of the starry sky. Its brilliance and loveliness led him to reflect on the glory of the first Christmas Eve as seen in Bethlehem's radiant skies. Wishing to share with his wife and children the enchantment he had felt, he cut from the forest an evergreen, glistening with snow, and took it home. He placed upon it candles to represent the glorious heavens he had seen. The use of a candle-lighted tree spread to all Europe, then America came to regard it as the central ornament of Christmas.
Carol: “The Birthday of a King” #102
Charles Mitchell Jesus, “The Way”
The Star Atop the Tree
Scripture and Narration John 14:6, Matthew 2: 1,2,9
Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father but by me. . .
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. . . and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.
Start atop the tree is pointed out.
Just as the Star of Bethlehem pointed the way for the wise men to find the Christ child, so that Christ child grown to be fully man while being fully God points the way for us to come back to God from whose presence we have strayed. Many men over many centuries have tried to find God thinking that there are many ways, many still so think, but there is only one Way and that Way is Jesus. We place a star atop our tree to remind us of the star that led the wise men. The star led the way, but more so to remind us that Jesus is the way.
Carol: “There’s a Song in the Air” (New Baptist Hymnal) # 185
Nellie Garner Jesus, “The Savior”
The Poinsettias
Scripture and Narration Romans 5:6-11
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Poinsettias are brought in during reading
The bright, blood-red poinsettia has become the most popular of all Christmas flowers. “The legend of the poinsettia tells of a poor village boy in Mexico who wanted to give the Holy Child a gift, but had no money. In desperation, he picked some weeds on his way to church to leave as his gift. He prayed to God to help him show his love and God answered by turning the weeds into a beautiful star-shaped flower with bright red leaves. The poinsettia has been a Christmas symbol ever since signifying how Jesus meets the needs of His believers.” The star of the flower is said to represent the star that stood over the Christ Child, while the red leaves represents the shed blood of Christ who came to be our Savior. Let the poinsettias of Christmas always be a reminder that the cross looms close to the humble manger – and that the baby that was born there, was born to die a cruel death and to reconcile us to the Father.
Carol: “O Holy Night” (New Baptist Hymnal) # 194
Charles Mitchell: Jesus, “The Alpha and Omega”
The Nativity
Scripture and Narration Revelation 1:4-8
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
Nativity is pointed out in the baptistery.
One of the most heart-warming expressions of Christmas is the Nativity. The Nativity speaks of the mystery of God's wisdom. Why God chose to send his son into our world as a baby of humble birth, born in common surroundings, we do not know. What we do know is that God reached out to all people including the poor and wealthy, the simple and the wise, the powerless and the powerful. All who found him knelt in humility before him. Knowing God is possible because he came to us, at our level. Whenever we see a Nativity we find ourselves with Mary and Joseph; with the Shepherds, and with the Wise Men; bowing before the manger, overwhelmed by God's expression of love in coming to us.
Today we display a Nativity in our sanctuary, and many of us, outside our homes. Who is this Holy child in the manger? Why the angel’s songs? Why such great celebration? Amidst the cooing and crying, laughter and tears, spit-up and dirty diapers, was it evident to anyone just who this baby really was? Could you look into those little sparkling eyes and the see the whole of creation reflected there? Did anyone suspect that this little bundle of joy was the Alpha (the beginning through whom all things were created) and the Omega (the end, the final sacrifice, the reconciler of the world)? Do we even realize that today as we celebrate some 2,000 years later? Maybe Mark Lowry captured it best when he wrote:
Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I Am.
As we gather together this Advent, let us prepare our hearts – not for just one more season of pretty lights and flowers, trees and presents, parties and relatives. Let us gather around the manger and peer in on the Christ Child – the Word made flesh; the Light of the World; The Way, The Truth, and The Life; The Savior; the Alpha and Omega; the Messiah. Let us come, let us worship, Christ the Lord!
Carol “O Come, All Ye Faithful” #89
Worship Leader Jesus, “Our Joy”
Scripture and Narration Luke 2:10; I Thess. 2:19; Col. 3:16
For behold I bring you good tidings of great joy for unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.. . .
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?
At Christmas time, we greet each other with the traditional greeting, “Merry Christmas.” It is a greeting, yes, but it is a prayer as well, for it means, “May you have a merry Christmas.” How bleak and dull would be the world if we’re not for Jesus, but, thanks be to God, He did come amidst Angel choirs praising for Joy – truly, as Paul says, He is our Joy.
Scripture and Narration Col. 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And so we go out into the world to proclaim from the highest to the lowest that “Jesus Christ is born.”
Carol “Joy to the World” #87
Benediction Bro. Bart
And now may God, Creator of light, and trees and flowers, grant us peace. As we have decorated this place of worship, may we also live lives of worship decorated with God’s forever things—forever love, forever life, forever living, forever growing, forever…green. In the name of God’s love and light in Jesus Christ. Amen.
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