Christmas Eve Service - Dec 24, 2007

Christmas Eve Service, December 24, 2007

Welcome!

Tonight, we begin a journey, as we await tomorrow, as we honor the day, that Jesus came to us, as a small child, and rejoice in knowing, He will come again.

On behalf of, the entire congregation of the New Tusket Baptist Church, we are so glad your here. Tonight, we will sing some great Christmas hymns, which give honor and praise. You will hear a story of gratitude, and I will read to you, the wondrous story of the Birth of Christ.

First, let us hear our Call To Worship, from the…
New Tusket United Baptist Church Choir:
“There Was Light in the Stable”

Between tonight, and early tomorrow morning, we will join together, in this most Holy time of the year, proclaiming:

“Glory to God in the Highest, and peace on earth.”

Tonight, our hearts are filled with joy, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior in Bethlehem’s manger. We sing praises to God and glorify His name, as the angels did on the night of Jesus' birth.

Tomorrow morning, we all will rejoice, in the fact, that the promise of long ago, has now been fulfilled; with the Birth of the Christ Child – who brought complete, and absolute: "Joy to the World"
Let us pray:
O God, we celebrate your goodness, to us, as we join in the hope, peace and joy of Christmas. And, as your love has been revealed to us, in all of its fullness, we now pray, that Your love may abound in our hearts today, and always. Grant that the spirit of the Christ-Child, may rule our lives in every way. In His name we pray. Amen.


A Christmas Eve Story/play
“One Small Light”
by Karen McIntyre
performed by; (Diana Mullen, April Mullen, and Craig Mullen)

(Start of play)
The soft light of the kerosene lamp, and the fading gray daylight, made reading the framed cross-stitched sampler - easy enough;

(Diana:
"Every season has its gift for living. The seeds of the present season, hold growth and harvest, yet to come. May gratitude become a season in us.")

The electricity had been out most of the day, and the old Mullen Farmhouse, was warmed by the wood fire. Diana was glad for the old woodstove, and glad that she had gotten there before the storm broke. Grandfather had built this house, early in the century; and Grandmother often said;

(Diana:
“It's not fancy, but at least we know where it came from.” )

It was that kind of simple, country, wisdom, that had sustained Diana; all her life. She was mostly raised, by this strong woman, who had worked, side-by-side with her husband – feeding, watering, and tending those kits. As a young girl, Diana also walked, row-upon-row, of mink pens - with the grown-ups.

Looking at the words on the sampler, Diana wondered what the blessings, of this season were. She poured tea, from the beautiful bone china pot she had sent home — a gift from away. She found tears welling up in her eyes. That saying was so like her German Lutheran grandmother;

(Diana:
“Seasons were taken in stride, and celebrated properly.”)

Unlike the rest of the world, Grandmother refused to celebrate Christmas, until it arrived — quite properly, on the heels of Advent!

Diana took the family Bible down, and began reading the familiar passages; first from Isaiah, and then from Luke. Her grandmother's voice lived in the words. When she reached the midpoint between Old and New Testaments, she carefully recorded, in the pages, Grandmother's death date — December 23. For Diana, had come home to take care of the funeral arrangements, and the family business.

(Diana:
“No clear midnight was this.” )

The storm clouds hugged the earth, the wind blew and howled; as the snow continued to fall (hard) against the house. In a storm such as this, it would have been hard, to hear, that glorious song.

Hymn: "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"

Her thoughts were interrupted by lights, on Highway 340, about a-half-mile away coming, due south. Whoever it was, wouldn't be able to see the farmhouse; since a kerosene lamp is just, One Small Light.
(Diana:
"Who on earth, would be out on a Christmas Eve, like this, in the middle of nowhere?" )

As she watched the car's lights, her mind wandered, to a darkened hillside, over 2000 years ago, where some shepherds, must also have been, more than a bit surprised, as they peered into the night — more by what they heard, than by what they saw.

Hymn: "Angels We Have Heard on High"

The car had stalled; its hazard lights splashed the darkness with amber, rhythmic, pulses. Diana curled up on the window seat, curled up, under the beautiful Lone Star quilt; Grandmother's favorite pattern, and she had made, many, such quilts over the years.

The fire was crackling and blazing and warm, but it hadn't taken the chill from Diana's heart. Snow drifted against the windowpane. If there had been rain, she would have heard it pelting, against the glass; but snow - was so soft, and still, and quiet.

Hymn: "Do You Hear What I hear?"

The weather was getting worse, and the car lights outside were still blinking. Diana’s cup of tea was cold now, like the snow outside; and parts of her heart. Who was that, in the car?

It was late, and, normally, there would be no traffic on this country road — not on Christmas Eve — and certainly not in a storm like this one. The people in the car must have taken a wrong turn, or perhaps they were seeking the shortcut, out through Concession – on their way to the French shore; because they were late, on their journey home for the holidays.

Pulling on her grandmother's boots, coat, and gloves, Diana walked outside and headed for the old pick-up. The engine turned over easily, and Diana made her way through the snow to the stalled car.

Diana knocked on the window of the car, which was almost, covered by the quickly falling snow. The grateful couple left their stranded car, and climbed into the pick-up.

Once back at the house, they warmed themselves beside the roaring fire - of the wood stove.

(Man:
“Thank you for coming for us.”)

(Girl:
“It is so cold, and we had no idea where to go.”)

Diana thought, how thankful she was, for on that Christmas, long ago, Jesus had come for her, too; in a place, not so different from this farm.

Hymn: "Away in a Manger"

Oh, the news this young couple had to share! They were not lost; they were on their way to tell his parents, that they were to be married. It was only another hour's journey, at the most – to Yarmouth. He had been raised on a farm, here in New Tusket; and knew the roads like the back of his hand. He just hadn't counted on the severe weather, and car breaking down!

He wanted to show her the little Baptist Church, the Havelock Schoolhouse, the road back to New France, Hilltown, Easton, Southville, and the many mink-ranches. He so wanted to show his fiancé this little community - where he grew up.

It was small, and insignificant — much like, that other town - where Jesus was born.

Hymn: "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Diana was amazed at the joy she felt, as she was sharing her memories, and she sensed the presence of the Savior - in these strangers. The young woman gazed at the magnificent Lone Star-quilt, draped across the window seat.

(Girl:
“Christmas really is about light, isn't it? When you came to our rescue, it was our light that you saw. It was the starlight, that led the wise men, and shepherds to the manger, and we are led to Christ, by the light that shines in people — people who take risks; such as taking in strangers like us — people like you, Diana.” )

Diana folded the quilt, and handed it to the young woman.

(Diana:
“Think of this, as a Christmas gift, or an early wedding gift.”)

(Man:
“But it's a family heirloom, and it is so beautiful; and we have nothing to give you!”)

(Diana:
“You've nothing to give me? Why, you have already given me a wonderful gift! You've helped me find, the real gift, in this season." )

Diana gestured to the cross-stitch on the wall.

(Diana:
“The star in this quilt, will remind you, that we can all let the light of Christmas shine through us — each one of us … one small light.” )

• • • •

(End of play)

Concluding Thoughts:
Diana’s cross-stitched sampler gives a great Christmas message:

"Every season has its gift for living. The seeds of the present season, hold growth and harvest, yet to come. May gratitude become a season in us."

On the very Night of Christ, Diana reached out to someone in need. On the anniversary of when Jesus came to live in her heart. On that special Christmas Eve, as Diana struggled to find meaning and peace, within the passing of her grand-mother, Diana gave away, something she had forgotten she had within her – gratitude.

She saw this young couple, and knew they needed help. She saw them struggling and knew they needed guidance. She no one else was around or coming to their aid; so she took action and rescued them from the cold and isolation of their car.
She knew that, the longer they remained stranded, the more lonely and disheartened they would become.

She knew they needed to be saved, from their circumstances. The young couple could only wonder, who would come for them?


(Luke 2:1-14)
The Birth of Jesus:

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."



What is the true meaning of Christmas?
Many people have asked, and heard answers, but still are puzzled by this great event

I think that the true meaning of Christmas is about possibilities. It is not the kind of possibility that comes from a confidence in our own skills or abilities; but the possibility that comes that ‘one Small Light” – Baby Jesus.

It is possibility that comes, solely, from the fact that God is God, and that He is the kind of God, who comes into our lives, to reveal Himself, and call us to Him; through His Son – the Christ-Child.

It is this same God, who has promised to be with us, with his people, with the church, and with us - individually, as we live, as his people in the world.

It is not just hope, joy, peace, and love that we seek, and that He brings; it is salvation and life eternal – that is the greatest gift of all.


It is this possibility, this God, that we celebrate at Christmas. And we do so, with a confidence born, not of our own desire, for it to be so, but from the birth of a child over 2,000 years ago, a child who was the Son of God, a child of Light!

Let us pray:
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Closing Hymn # 85 “Silent Night! Holy Night!”

Blessing of the Advent Season:
“May the hand of God protect you; may His holy angels keep watch over you, and keep You in all His ways. And may the Spirit of Christmas, which is the Spirit of Christ, grow in your heart, into an overflowing stream of hope, peace, joy and love. Blessings upon you all.”

Merry Christmas!