Advent Day 24 – Love – Worship and the Arts

Generations of Light and Song
Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20  

The sanctuary fills with soft light as candles are passed from hand to hand. Voices rise in harmony, singing the familiar carols that echo through the ages. On this holy night, we gather as countless generations before us have done, to tell the story of Christ’s birth and lift our hearts in worship. There’s something profoundly sacred about this moment—a timeless act of remembering and rejoicing, made more poignant in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

The prophet Isaiah declared, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light,” and tonight we remember that light—the light of Christ, born into our world to bring hope, peace, joy, and love. After the devastation of Helene, when so many of us faced literal and figurative darkness, this tradition of candlelight worship has taken on an even deeper meaning. Each flame we hold tonight represents more than just faith—it represents resilience, community, and the promise that God’s light can never be extinguished, even in our darkest days.

Karen Crutchfield (alto and pianist) says, “I love the choir music and congregational carols that remind me Jesus’ birth was for all people, in all of history.”

The act of gathering together for Lessons and Carols connects us to the grand story of God’s redemptive work, from creation to the manger in Bethlehem. This year, it also connects us to our story of recovery, reminding us that God is always at work, bringing light and life out of chaos. Each scripture reading and hymn invites us to participate in this story, just as the shepherds did when they hurried to see the Christ child and then shared the good news with others. And just as the shepherds’ journey was marked by uncertainty, so too has our community journeyed through the uncertainty of rebuilding after the storm, finding hope in the same light of Christ that led them.

With every anthem and carol, the choir and the congregation weaves together the voices of heaven and earth, reminding us of the angels’ song: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favors!” Their harmonies lift our spirits, offering a balm for the weariness many of us have felt in the aftermath of Helene. The music of this night stirs the heart in ways that words alone cannot, drawing us closer to God and to one another. It reminds us that even when life feels fractured, the beauty of worship can restore and renew.

Kathy Barber (alto) says," When I think of what music means to me and my faith, I think of how many times I've had a "come to Jesus moment" through a piece of music. There are times when I'm performing or listening to a piece of music that is so moving or inspiring that I can't comprehend that it was composed by a human being. When things have been at their worst, a line or phrase from a hymn with waft into my brain giving me comfort or the strength to do the "hard" thing. I've heard it said that when you sing, you pray twice. Amen to that!"

This Christmas Eve, as we pass the light of Christ to one another, we affirm the strength of our community. This simple yet profound act reminds us that the light we share doesn’t just shine for us—it shines for those who came before us and for those who will come after. After Helene, we’ve learned that traditions like these are more than rituals; they are lifelines, anchoring us to God and to each other when everything else feels uncertain. The candles we hold represent the hope that guided us through the storm and the love that continues to sustain us.

Joanna Beck (soprano) says, “being in the choir, especially on Christmas Eve, connects us to the history, to the angelic choir that has always sung and will always be singing.”
 
As we sing and light our candles tonight, think about those who have stood in this sanctuary before us, holding their candles and singing these same carols. Imagine the children in our midst, whose voices will carry this tradition into the future. The light we hold tonight is part of a great chain of faith that stretches back to the shepherds and forward to the generations yet to come. After Helene, this light also reminds us of the resilience and strength that our faith provides, guiding us to rebuild and to shine with Christ’s love.

Christmas Eve worship is a moment where time seems to stand still. In the glow of candlelight, surrounded by music, we are united with past, present, and future generations of believers. Imagine the countless people who have stood in sanctuaries like this one, hearing these same scriptures, singing these same songs, and lifting their candles high. Think about the children in our midst, whose voices and hearts will carry this tradition forward, ensuring that the light of Christ continues to shine.

This holy night reminds us that worship is not just what we do—it’s who we are. We are a people shaped by the story of Jesus, a people called to reflect His light and sing His praises, not just tonight but every day. After Helene, we’ve come to understand that this tradition of light and song is more than a Christmas ritual—it’s a declaration of faith that, no matter what storms we face, God’s love will always lead us home.