I had the privilege of serving as worship associate at church this morning for our Christmas Eve services. These are the words I used to open the service.

Call to Worship 

We come to this place filled with anticipation.

Some of us await a miraculous birth and envision redemption.

Some of us hold out hope for an everyday miracle.

We come to this place with lingering sorrows, or fresh, sharp grief.

We long for what once was or something we never had.

We come with excitement, joy, and gratitude

for those we love gathered around us.

We come together this morning to hear a familiar story told by new voices.

We come to sing old songs that reawaken our hearts.

We come listening for peace, seeking comfort, in need of love.

Let us take this time to practice the peace, provide the comfort,

share the love with our sisters and brothers.

 

Chalice Lighting

 

May the flame of our chalice be a brilliant reminder of the divine spark

Within each of us

The spark that we see in each other’s eyes.

The spark that grows bigger when we share a kindness.

The spark that glows brighter when we laugh together.

The spark that holds steady when we cry together.

On this Christmas Eve morning,

may the flame of our chalice remind us of the star that

shepherds and magi followed so long ago.

May this flame serve as our star today.