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Westminster Worship Notes |
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December 24, 2007 |
Christmas Eve |
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Preparation for Worship |
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Christmas Eve marks the moment of God's incarnation among us. We light the Christ candle to symbolize the light that came into being in a world filled with darkness. The service tells the story of the birth of this light in the world through scripture and hymns. Each hymn reflects and expands on a particular aspect of the Christmas story. The candle lighting at the end of the services symbolizes in different ways the manifestation of the light of Christ in our lives. The dimming of the sanctuary lights symbolizes the darkness of the world into which Christ's light comes into being. The source of our own light is the Christ candle illuminating the shadows. As we share the light of Christ with each other, we sing of "Silent Night, holy night! Son of God, loves pure light, radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace." And finally we take this light into the world repeating the sounding joy and the wonders of God's love. |
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