CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve, especially as the day moves on, is effectively Christmas Day.  Many families decorate trees, have their great feast and open gifts before they retire this night. 

The Church itself gives its attention over to the celebration on (or beginning on) this day.  The New Revised Common Lectionary (NRCL) has three – count ‘em, three – separate sets of readings for Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, as a great many churches have worship sometime early on the 24^th, then around midnight, and/or in the morning or mid-day on the 25^th.  The readings are from Isaiah 9, Isaiah 62, Isaiah 52, Psalm 96, 97, 98, Titus 2, Titus 3, Hebrews 1, Luke 2:1-14, Luke 2:8-20 and John 1:1-14.  Together these represent a marvelous survey of Christological material.  The NRCL enfolds us in Good News. 

The church lights its Christ Candle tonight.  (Some sanctuaries will be ablaze with the flames of the four outer candles of the Advent wreath as well as the central Christ Candle.  Without trying too hard to sound like the worship police, Advent is over.  The wait is past.  Jesus Christ is born!  His candle alone burns in our worship space.  The unlit candles of the wreath are a fitting reminder of where we have been.  Christ’s candle represents where we are: in the light of Christ’s presence.)

A Devotion for the Lighting of the Christ Candle

Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy!

Jesus Christ is born!

The time of anticipation is ended.

The day of rejoicing is upon us.

We have wandered in the darkness.

Gradually, the lights of these Advent candles 

have helped us find our way.

But now, the people see a great light.

Jesus is among us; he is in this very place.

PRAYER

Lord, let now your servants depart in peace,

For our eyes have seen the Savior

Whom you pave prepared for all the world to see,

A light to enlighten the nations,

And the glory of your people, Israel.

In the name of He who shall reign for ever and ever,

Even Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.