Friends, the time has come for the light of the world to once again make his way to the manger. The time has come for us to gather together in the spirit of the Christmas season and celebrate the birth of the Messiah.
There are many traditions that take place during this time of year, and one of my favorites is the Christmas Eve Service focused on candlelight.
If you have ever been a part of one of these powerful services, you know what I am talking about. Let me paint a picture in the best of my ability, recognizing that each community of faith is going to be a little bit different. In fact let me just tell you my experience growing up in rural Illinois and why this service is so important to me.
It is cold, really cold. So cold that the mere thought of going outside would make you shiver, but it is Christmas Eve, and not even the cold could keep me from the warm, inviting sanctuary.
As we move through the readings, telling the story of Jesus, the advent candles begin to light one by one. I wait with anticipation for the story that I know is coming next, the story that I wait for every year. A smile grows across my face as she moves with a steady grace to the front of the sanctuary, a piece of paper she barely needs to look at resting in her hand, my grandma.
She gets to the front of the sanctuary and turns to face us all, “In those days, a decree went out from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be registered” Luke 2:1-20.
In that moment, with that sentence her audience is captivated, hanging on to every word as she tells of the birth of Jesus as if she was in attendance. At the final word, those gathered in this holy place let out a collective breath as the Christ Candle is lit. Then, as a community of faith together we stand, each taking our own small individual candles and light is passed around the room.
The light is from the Christ Candle, light to remind us of our calling in this world. Silent Night rings throughout the sanctuary as the faces of those I love are caught in the glow of their candles, Christmas is here.
What are the ways that you celebrate the coming of the Messiah? What are the traditions that remind you of the glorious night when Jesus was brought into this world?
If you would like to experience a Candlelight service this year, I would like to invite you to Kelseyville United Methodist Church on Christmas Eve at 9 a.m., or Middletown Community United Methodist Church at 5 p.m. Together we will celebrate the light of the world, bask in the warm glow of our candles, remember our calling.
Together, we will welcome Christmas.
Melissa Hurley is Pastor at Kelseyville United Methodist Church and Middletown Community United Methodist Church. Please join us in Kelseyville at 9 a.m. or Middletown at 5 p.m. for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, additionally we will have an 11 a.m. service in Middletown where we will celebrate those in the manger on the night Jesus was born. All are welcome.
