Words of Reflection
With Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday, combining with the Fourth Sunday of Advent, churches around the world will be very busy today indeed. Morning services concluding Advent will give way to evening services celebrating Christmas Eve, and in many parts of the world (including ours) there will also be a service on Christmas morning to ring in the day with Scripture and carols about what God has done.
This will be a day filled with wonderful songs, important truths from God’s Word, and thoughtful reflections from preachers and teachers around the globe. I would not dare try to add to what is already a very full day with more words or thoughts or personal stories…it’s time to let the Story speak for itself.
To that end, we will simply spend today with Scripture and song. Three times you are invited to read the Scripture slowly and prayerfully, listen to the song, then read the lyrics slowly and prayerfully as well. Make note of what the Spirit calls you to pay attention to—the things that catch your eye or stir your spirit. As you pay attention to that movement inside of you, offer it to God in prayer before moving to the next section.
May your Christmas Eve be filled with joy and wonder at the story of God’s love!
First Reading for Sunday: Psalm 96 (NRSV)
O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth.
Say among the nations, "The LORD is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity."
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
Let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD;
For he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.
Song: The Wild Wood Carol (lyrics below for reflection)
Sing O the wild wood, the green holly,
The silent river and barren tree;
The humble creatures that no man sees:
Sing O the wild wood.
A weary journey one winter’s night;
No hope of shelter, no rest in sight.
Who was the creature that bore Mary?
A simple donkey.
And when they came into Beth’lem Town
They found a stable to lay them down;
For their companions that Christmas night,
An ox and an ass.
And then an angel came down to earth
To bear the news of the Saviour’s birth;
The first to marvel were shepherds poor,
And sheep with their lambs.
Sing O the wild wood, the green holly,
The silent river and barren tree;
The humble creatures that no man sees:
Sing O the wild wood.
Words and Music: John Rutter
Second Reading for Sunday: Titus 3:4-7 (NRSV)
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Song: See Amid the Winter’s Snow (lyrics below for reflection)
See amid the winter's snow
Born for us on earth below
See the tender Lamb appears
Promised from eternal years
Hail, thou ever blessed morn
Hail, redemption's happy dawn
Sing through all Jerusalem
Christ is born in Bethlehem, Hallelujah!
Sacred infant, all divine
What a tender love was thine
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this
Hail, thou ever blessed morn
Hail, redemption's happy dawn
Sing through all Jerusalem
Christ is born in Bethlehem, Hallelujah!
Third Reading for Sunday: Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.
Song: Night of Silence/Silent Night (lyrics below for reflection)
Cold are the people, winter of life
We tremble in shadows this cold endless night
Frozen in the snow lie roses sleeping
Flowers that will echo the sunrise
Fire of hope is our only warmth
Weary, it's flame will be dying soon.
Voice in the distance, call in the night
On wind you enfold us You speak of the light
Gentle on the ear you whisper softly
Rumours of a dawn so embracing
Breathless love awaits darkened souls
Soon will we know of the morning.
Spirit among us, shine like the star
Your light that guides shepherds and kings from afar
Shimmer in the sky so empty, lonely
Rising in the warmth of your Son's love
Star unknowing of night and day
Spirit we wait for your loving Son.
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.
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.
Words and Music: David Haas/Franz Gruber