Sermon Notes, Christmas Eve

FAMILY SERVICE (Lk 2.1-14)

Stories – favourite stories (Grinch, Night before Xmas. Etc.)
Favourites not just because of words, but of traditions
Memories tie in to the stories
Tradition and Emotion mean that each telling is a new telling
Gifted to us; received as blessing; a gift we give as we share it on
Story of the nativity – greatest story ever told – carries the joy and bliss beyond time, location, etc.
May the story of Christmas give us the joy that carries us into the season and beyond.


CHRISTMAS EVE 730 (Lk 2.8-20)
What if the glory of the Lord never left?
Shepherds – chatting among the glory
Journeying to Bethlehem

The glory is there – always there.
Because the Lord is there.
The light is there:
A guiding light;
Comforting light
Peace-inducing light

The light that would continue to influence their lives forever.

And not just theirs: for to the shepherds the message was clear – the light is for ALL people.
The light of Christ –
Light, like the candles tonight, that cannot be extinguished.
Even when it appears small, it is always growing…
For us.
In us.
The glory of the Lord continues to shine in the world:
When we bear the light that has been given us.

Let us embrace the light – and together shine it in the darkness of the world
Knowing that the love of God – so freely given – flows through us as well.

Let us return to the world, - changed - glorifying and praising God for all WE have heard and seen, as it had been told to us.