Christmas Eve 2020

December 24, 2020 Pastor Marc Hayden

Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez

Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden

Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger

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To watch the Candle Lighting & Silent Night, click here.

Key Notes from the reading & sermon:

Journeying with John, In the Beginning

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

Scripture Reading: John 1: 1-5, 14-18

The prologue of John’s gospel may be an adaptation of an early hymn. The language is image-rich and poetic. Rooted in the opening words of the opening book of the Bible, it connects with the Creator of the cosmos. Using the Greek work logos, translated as “Word”, it suggests the Greek idea of the reason that orders the universe and the Hebrew idea of the Wisdom of God that speaks Creation into being. This prologue boldly and beautifully affirms that the incarnate or embodied Word of God (Jesus of Nazareth) continues the story of the Creative Word of God. The Word, symbolized as life and light, cannot be overcome. This is the foundation of the good news John proclaims.

Questions for Reflection:

Do we live in such a way that the inextinguishable light can be seen in our words and actions?
How do we bring assurance to those who feel overcome by the shadows of this world?
Are we willing to enter with the Word into the lifeless and chaotic places of the world and with those longing for life and light? What are those places in our community?