CHRISTMAS EVE 10pm LIGHT SERVICE
Tonight, it’s a different kind of Christmas.
COVID has made our worship feel different – somewhat scattered, somewhat isolated, somewhat dark.
And yet: it IS Christmas.
A festival of love, a celebration of joy, an acknowledgement of the light.
For the light is here: it’s brought to us in the nativity that we just heard.
An old story that has new meaning every time we listen to it,
Words that convey a meaning far beyond our comprehension,
A message of timeless wonder.
What we hear tonight is what we live every day: a commitment to light.
For even in the darkest of moments, we have been told that the light has come.
The light of God; the light of love; the light of Christ,
It may feel small at times. But small is okay. Because small is still here.
And: as we hear tonight: even the reign of Jesus started small – like a gentle glimmer of light coming into the world.
(light tea light)
And from this small and humble beginning, we see how light can grow, illuminating the world of everyone the light encountered:
Like a new mother, told she was absolutely "glowing" through her pregnancy. A mother who, upon having the child laid in her arms, would radiate a perfect love.
(light one blue candle)
Or a new father, beaming with joy, as he meets the child that his beloved has carried for so many months, as he introduces a new life into the world.
(light one blue candle)
And the light touched those who would have seen these things happen, even before they recognised the miracle in their midst.
(light one small white candle)
The immediate family and friends who received good news of a healthy delivery; and the promise of deliverance.
(light one small white candle)
Those who had helped during the birth: as divine joy flooded even the messiest of human situations.
(light one small white candle)
Those who made the most humble of locations into a safe haven, a place of peace – for the one who would become the Prince of Peace.
(light one small white candle)
The light came into the world, and would not – could not! - be restrained by any earthly limitations.
So it touched those who dwelt on earth, and those of other realms.
(light one small silver candle)
Those who would be bearers of glad tidings; for all the people
(light one large gold candle)
Whose heavenly joy was so extreme they couldn't help but sing!
(light one small silver candle)
Those who were in no way surprised by the increasing, growing light in the world.
(light one small gold candle)
Those who enthusiastically shared the message of joy with complete strangers, for this joy is for all people at all times
(light one large silver candle)
Those whose ethereal presence declared Glory! and Hosanna! And HOLY HOLY HOLY!
(light one small gold candle)
And the light still grew, as we hear tonight, beyond the family and friends and angels above.
It lit upon strangers, who would have the faith to respond to the invitation to witness the growing light
(light one green candle)
Whose simple lives, in the fields, would be forever changed, and remembered – and held up as faithful examples.
(light one green candle)
And the light still grew, and amplified, and magnified: moving beyond borders and traditions and time;
On the ones who would only have the first hint of a light, shining from foreign lands, who wanted to witness to that light.
(light one red candle)
Who would know that something big was happening, and that they wanted – needed - to be a part of it, but who did not yet fully understand what it was.
(light one red candle)
Those who would journey, in faith, with gifts, bearing visions of the future; being filled with a light they would carry with them back home.
(light one red candle)
And the light kept growing, years later, in those who would recognise the light and follow it, delighting in the moments when they were illuminated by the light, and committing themselves to continue sharing the light.
For the light was good news of God: it was promises of peace; it was assurance of love; it was the embodiment of holiness; it was the incarnation of hope.
(light multi-coloured candles: total 12 colours)
And so the light came into the world; and the darkness could not overcome it.
And this is the light that continues to this every day; the light that we carry tonight.
For we, in our faith, are bearers of the light.
And every time we share the light: through our faith, through our love, through our light – we continue to illumine the world.
So let us truly celebrate this night that the light is here: it has shined in the world, and it continues to shine. Let us celebrate that the light – no matter how small a beginning – shines to brighten any darkness, to warm any cold, to illumine any doubt.
This Holy Night, I pray that the light and love of Christ will burn brightly in your hearts, and in your lives;
this Christmas and forever more. Amen.
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