Christmas Eve Service (December 24, 1974)
-
Download
- Rights
- Files (2)
-
MP3
Part 1
-
MP3
Part 2
- Please be patient with media downloads. They are often large files.
- Share
Loading the media player...
Transcript
- Download transcript as:
-
Text
-
PDF
-
WebVTT (includes timecodes)
Transcripts may contain inaccuracies.
| (soft music) | 0:06 | |
| (soft music) | 0:20 | |
| (soft music) | 0:34 | |
| - | Mary had a baby, my Lord. | 0:45 |
| Mary had a baby, my Lord. | 0:50 | |
| Mary had a baby. | 0:54 | |
| Where was he born, my Lord? | 0:58 | |
| Where was he born, my Lord? | 1:02 | |
| Born in a manger. | 1:06 | |
| Born in a manger. | 1:08 | |
| What did they call him, my Lord? | 1:12 | |
| What did they call him, my Lord? | 1:15 | |
| What did they call him? | 1:19 | |
| They called him King Jesus, my Lord. | 1:22 | |
| They called him King Jesus, my Lord. | 1:27 | |
| They called him King Jesus. | 1:32 | |
| They called him King Jesus, my Lord. | 1:36 | |
| (woman singing brightly) | 1:46 | |
| (woman singing brightly) | 2:22 | |
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 2:42 | |
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 2:49 | |
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 2:57 | |
| (woman singing brightly) | 3:07 | |
| (woman singing brightly) | 3:27 | |
| (woman singing brightly) | 3:56 | |
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 4:06 | |
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 4:13 | |
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 4:21 | |
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 4:31 | |
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 4:39 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 4:52 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 5:29 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 5:50 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 6:09 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 6:30 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 6:49 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 7:10 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 7:31 | |
| - | In the name and in the spirit of Christ, | 7:59 |
| I welcome you to this Christmas Eve service of worship, | 8:04 | |
| of prayers, hymns, carols, lessons, and lighting of candles. | 8:10 | |
| We come tonight as one in the love of Christ | 8:19 | |
| who's glorious coming to earth we joyously | 8:23 | |
| and triumphantly commemorate and celebrate this night | 8:26 | |
| and on tomorrow. | 8:30 | |
| A word of special thanks is due to many, many persons | 8:33 | |
| who have worked and planned that we might rejoice together. | 8:37 | |
| And so, to all those named in the bulletin | 8:41 | |
| and to all those who are not mentioned, | 8:44 | |
| but without whose help | 8:46 | |
| we would not have the beauty of this service, | 8:48 | |
| may I say a word of thanks and appreciation, | 8:50 | |
| especially to Mrs. Eva Wiseman, | 8:55 | |
| and to the Burlington Boys Choir | 8:59 | |
| who will lead us and share with us in music. | 9:02 | |
| To Meredith Marcellus who has stepped in at the last moment | 9:07 | |
| to fill in for Ben Smith who is recuperating at home | 9:12 | |
| after several days stay in the hospital, | 9:15 | |
| and to Dr. Barney Jones who will read the second lesson | 9:19 | |
| which was to be read by Mr. Smith. | 9:24 | |
| Also to Mr. Michael Best, tenor soloist from New York | 9:28 | |
| and from Durham | 9:33 | |
| who sang the solo parts of "Messiah" recently | 9:35 | |
| and will sing "O Holy Night" for us | 9:39 | |
| at an inappropriate time in the service, | 9:44 | |
| we are glad you are present. | 9:49 | |
| And may this hour be a time of reflection for you | 9:53 | |
| upon the goodness of God's love, | 9:56 | |
| a time of renewal for your own spirit | 10:00 | |
| in the presence of God | 10:03 | |
| and in the presence of fellow Christians | 10:04 | |
| and friends and family, | 10:06 | |
| and especially a time of rebirth | 10:11 | |
| as the unfathomable richness of God's amazing love | 10:15 | |
| is revealed to us again this glorious Christmas Eve. | 10:22 | |
| May love, joy and peace be yours this night and tomorrow | 10:27 | |
| and tomorrow and tomorrow. | 10:34 | |
| - | Beloved in Christ, during this holy service, | 10:44 |
| let us hear again the Christmas message. | 10:49 | |
| And our hearts and minds go even unto Bethlehem | 10:53 | |
| to see this thing which has come to pass | 10:59 | |
| and the babe lying in a manger. | 11:04 | |
| Therefore, let us read and mark in the holy scriptures | 11:08 | |
| the loving purposes of God. | 11:13 | |
| Let us begin our pilgrimage in prayer. | 11:18 | |
| Let us pray. | 11:22 | |
| O Lord, you humbled yourself that we might be exalted. | 11:25 | |
| You came to us that we might come to you. | 11:33 | |
| You became human that we might share in the fullness of life | 11:38 | |
| and your kingdom of love. | 11:44 | |
| O Holy God, we are gathered in the presence of this mystery | 11:48 | |
| and this miracle to adore you, to praise you, | 11:55 | |
| to proclaim you and to receive your word. | 12:01 | |
| We beseech you to be in the midst of us. | 12:07 | |
| And hear our prayers O God, | 12:13 | |
| for the needs of the whole world, for peace on earth, | 12:15 | |
| and goodwill among all your people, | 12:21 | |
| for unity within your church. | 12:26 | |
| And O God, we lift to your care | 12:31 | |
| and our responsibility this holy night the poor, | 12:35 | |
| the helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed. | 12:42 | |
| The sick, and they that mourn, | 12:50 | |
| the lonely and the unloved, | 12:53 | |
| the aged and the little children. | 12:58 | |
| And now, O God, hear our personal prayers | 13:03 | |
| for those we have special concern for | 13:08 | |
| during this Christmas season. | 13:12 | |
| And now, O Lord, show us, and through the Holy Spirit | 13:21 | |
| prepare for us the way that leads to you. | 13:25 | |
| That with our own eyes, we may see your light | 13:29 | |
| which has come into this world and may become your witnesses | 13:32 | |
| with all of our being from this moment and forevermore. | 13:37 | |
| And (speaks faintly) to the one whose birth we celebrate, | 13:42 | |
| who told us to pray saying, "Our Father, who art in heaven, | 13:46 | |
| hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; | 13:53 | |
| thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. | 13:57 | |
| Give us this day our daily bread; | 14:02 | |
| and forgive us our trespasses | 14:05 | |
| as we forgive those who trespass against us; | 14:08 | |
| and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. | 14:12 | |
| For thine is the kingdom, and the power, | 14:18 | |
| and the glory forever. | 14:21 | |
| Amen." | 14:24 | |
| (bright piano music) | 14:33 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | 14:35 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | 14:56 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | 15:31 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | 15:58 | |
| The first lesson is from the 11th chapter of Isaiah. | 16:09 | |
| Christ's birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah. | 16:15 | |
| "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, | 16:21 | |
| and a branch shall grow out of it's roots. | 16:25 | |
| And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, | 16:28 | |
| the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, | 16:32 | |
| the Spirit of counsel and might, | 16:35 | |
| the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. | 16:39 | |
| And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. | 16:43 | |
| He shall not judge by what his eyes see, | 16:48 | |
| or decide by what his ears hear, | 16:51 | |
| but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, | 16:54 | |
| and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; | 16:58 | |
| and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, | 17:02 | |
| and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. | 17:06 | |
| Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, | 17:11 | |
| and faithfulness the girdle of his loins. | 17:15 | |
| The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. | 17:19 | |
| Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, | 17:25 | |
| on them has light shined. | 17:30 | |
| Thou has multiplied the nation. | 17:34 | |
| Thou has increased its joy. | 17:36 | |
| They rejoice before Thee as with joy at the harvest | 17:39 | |
| as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. | 17:44 | |
| For the yoke of his burden | 17:49 | |
| and for the staff of his shoulder, | 17:51 | |
| the rod of his oppressor thou has broken | 17:54 | |
| as on the day of Midian. | 17:58 | |
| For unto us, a child is born; | 18:01 | |
| to us, a son is given | 18:06 | |
| and the government will be upon his shoulder | 18:10 | |
| and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, | 18:14 | |
| Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. | 18:22 | |
| Of the increase of his government and of peace | 18:28 | |
| there will be no end upon the throne of David | 18:31 | |
| and over his kingdom to establish it | 18:35 | |
| and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness | 18:38 | |
| from this time forth and forevermore. | 18:43 | |
| The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." | 18:47 | |
| Thanks be to God. | 18:51 | |
| (soft piano music) | 18:56 | |
| (soft piano music) | 19:15 | |
| (soft piano music) | 19:35 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 19:55 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 20:16 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 20:36 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 20:56 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 21:16 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 21:38 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| - | The second lesson, | 21:54 |
| St. Luke chapter one verses 26 through 33 and 38. | 21:56 | |
| "The angel Gabriel visited the blessed Virgin Mary. | 22:03 | |
| In the six month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God | 22:09 | |
| to a city of Galilee named Nazareth | 22:13 | |
| to a Virgin betrothed to a man | 22:17 | |
| whose name was Joseph of the house of David. | 22:20 | |
| And the Virgin's name was Mary. | 22:24 | |
| And he came to her and said, 'Hail, O favored one, | 22:27 | |
| the Lord is with you.' | 22:33 | |
| But she was greatly troubled at the saying | 22:35 | |
| and considered in her mind | 22:38 | |
| what sort of greeting this might be. | 22:40 | |
| And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; | 22:44 | |
| for you have found favor with God. | 22:49 | |
| And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son | 22:52 | |
| and you shall call his name Jesus. | 22:57 | |
| He will be great | 23:01 | |
| and will be called the Son of the Most High. | 23:03 | |
| And the Lord God will give to him | 23:07 | |
| the throne of his father, David. | 23:09 | |
| And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. | 23:12 | |
| And of his kingdom, there will be no end.' | 23:16 | |
| And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. | 23:21 | |
| Let it be to me according to your word.' | 23:27 | |
| And the angel departed from her." | 23:31 | |
| Thanks be to God. | 23:34 | |
| (soft piano music) | 23:44 | |
| (soft piano music) | 23:50 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 24:01 | |
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 24:04 | |
| (soft piano music) | 24:07 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 24:24 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| ♪ The angels sang and the shepherds too ♪ | 24:40 | |
| (soft piano music) | 24:44 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 24:54 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 25:00 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 25:32 | |
| (soft piano music) | 25:34 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 25:53 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 26:10 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 26:20 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle music) | 26:44 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 27:08 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 27:43 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 28:08 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 28:20 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 28:35 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 28:48 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 29:02 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 29:16 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 29:32 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 29:45 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 29:59 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 30:13 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 30:29 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| - | The third lesson. | 30:48 |
| St. Luke 1st chapter, 46th to the 55th verses. | 30:50 | |
| "And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord | 30:57 | |
| and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior | 31:01 | |
| for he has regarded the lowest state of his handmaiden. | 31:05 | |
| For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed | 31:10 | |
| for he who is mighty has done great things for me. | 31:15 | |
| And Holy is his name. | 31:20 | |
| And his mercy is on those who fear him | 31:23 | |
| from generation to generation. | 31:26 | |
| He has shown strength with his arm. | 31:29 | |
| He has scattered the proud | 31:32 | |
| in the imagination of their hearts. | 31:33 | |
| He has put down the might from their thrones | 31:36 | |
| and exalted those of low degree. | 31:39 | |
| He has filled the hungry with good things | 31:42 | |
| and the rich he has sent empty away. | 31:45 | |
| He has helped his servant Israel | 31:48 | |
| in remembrance of his mercy as he spoke to our fathers, | 31:51 | |
| to Abraham and to his posterity forever.'" | 31:56 | |
| Thanks be to God. | 32:00 | |
| (soft piano music) | 32:05 | |
| (soft piano music) | 32:26 | |
| (soft piano music) | 32:36 | |
| (soft piano music) | 32:48 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 33:10 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 33:34 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 33:46 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 33:57 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 34:08 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 34:22 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 34:33 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 34:45 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 34:56 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 35:09 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 35:21 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 35:32 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 35:44 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| - | The fourth lesson, St. Matthew 1:18-23. | 36:12 |
| St. Matthew tales of Christ's nativity. | 36:21 | |
| "Now the birth of Jesus was on this wise: | 36:28 | |
| When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, | 36:34 | |
| before they came together, | 36:39 | |
| she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. | 36:42 | |
| Then Joseph her husband being a just man | 36:49 | |
| and not willing to make her a public example | 36:56 | |
| was minded to put her away privily. | 37:00 | |
| But while he thought on these things, | 37:06 | |
| behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream | 37:09 | |
| saying, 'Joseph, thou son of David, | 37:14 | |
| fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife | 37:21 | |
| for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. | 37:27 | |
| And she shall bring forth a son, | 37:34 | |
| and thou shalt call his name Jesus | 37:38 | |
| for he shall save his people from their sins.' | 37:45 | |
| Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled | 37:52 | |
| which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, | 37:56 | |
| 'Behold, a virgin shall be with child | 38:01 | |
| and shall bring forth a son, | 38:07 | |
| and they shall call his name Emmanuel, | 38:11 | |
| which being interpreted is God with us.'" | 38:17 | |
| Thanks be to God. | 38:25 | |
| (soft piano music) | 38:31 | |
| (soft piano music) | 38:43 | |
| (soft piano music) | 38:54 | |
| (soft piano music) | 39:08 | |
| (soft piano music) | 39:21 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 39:33 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 39:46 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 39:58 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 40:13 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 40:26 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 40:38 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 40:50 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 41:04 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 41:17 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 41:30 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 41:42 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| - | The fifth lesson, St. Luke 2:8-20, | 42:10 |
| "The Shepherds Go onto the Manger. | 42:16 | |
| "And in that region, there were shepherds out in the field | 42:19 | |
| keeping watch over their flock by night. | 42:23 | |
| And an angel of the Lord appeared to them | 42:26 | |
| and the glory of the Lord shone round them, | 42:29 | |
| and they were filled with fear. | 42:32 | |
| And the angel said to them, 'Be not afraid | 42:35 | |
| for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy, | 42:38 | |
| which will come to all the people. | 42:42 | |
| For to you is born this day in the city of David | 42:45 | |
| a savior who is Christ the Lord. | 42:49 | |
| And this will be a sign for you. | 42:52 | |
| You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes | 42:55 | |
| and lying in a manger.' | 42:58 | |
| And suddenly there was with the angel | 43:01 | |
| a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, | 43:03 | |
| 'Glory to God in the highest, | 43:07 | |
| and on earth, peace among men with whom he is pleased.' | 43:11 | |
| When the angels went away from them into heaven, | 43:16 | |
| the shepherds said to one another, | 43:19 | |
| 'let us go over to Bethlehem | 43:23 | |
| and see this thing that has happened | 43:24 | |
| which the Lord has made known to us.' | 43:27 | |
| And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph | 43:30 | |
| and the babe lying in a manger. | 43:35 | |
| And when they saw it, they made known | 43:38 | |
| the saying which had been told them concerning this child, | 43:40 | |
| and all who heard it | 43:44 | |
| wondered at what the shepherds told them. | 43:45 | |
| But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. | 43:49 | |
| And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God | 43:54 | |
| for all they had heard and seen as it had been told them." | 43:58 | |
| Thanks be to God. | 44:03 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 44:07 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 44:20 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 44:33 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 44:48 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 45:02 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 45:16 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 45:33 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 45:47 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 46:01 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 46:35 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | 46:45 | |
| ♪ Jesus has (singing faintly) ♪ | 46:55 | |
| ♪ Mary is beside him ♪ | 47:08 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | 47:10 | |
| ♪ Christ is born ♪ | 47:22 | |
| ♪ Christ is born ♪ | 47:25 | |
| (soft piano music) | 47:33 | |
| (soft piano music) | 47:40 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 47:51 | |
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 47:55 | |
| (soft piano music) | 47:57 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 48:09 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 48:18 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 48:29 | |
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 48:32 | |
| (soft piano music) | 48:35 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 48:47 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 48:56 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 49:07 | |
| ♪ Hallelujah ♪ | 49:10 | |
| (soft piano music) | 49:13 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 49:25 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 49:36 | |
| (soft piano music) | 49:40 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 49:59 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 50:08 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 50:26 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 50:41 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 50:53 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 51:05 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| - | The sixth lesson is from the 2nd chapter of St. Matthew. | 51:24 |
| "The Wise Men are Led by the Star of Jesus. | 51:30 | |
| And now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea | 51:33 | |
| in the days of Herod the king, | 51:36 | |
| behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem saying, | 51:38 | |
| 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? | 51:42 | |
| For we have seen a star in the east | 51:45 | |
| and have come to worship him. | 51:48 | |
| When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled | 51:50 | |
| and all Jerusalem with him. | 51:53 | |
| And assembling all the chief priests | 51:55 | |
| and scribes of the people, | 51:57 | |
| he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. | 51:59 | |
| They told him in Bethlehem of Judea | 52:04 | |
| for so it is written by the prophet | 52:07 | |
| and you O Bethlehem and the land of Judah | 52:09 | |
| are by no means least among the rulers of Judah. | 52:12 | |
| For from you shall come a ruler | 52:17 | |
| who will govern my people, Israel. | 52:19 | |
| Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly | 52:22 | |
| and ascertained from them what time the star appeared. | 52:25 | |
| And he sent them to Bethlehem saying, | 52:30 | |
| 'Go and search diligently for the child. | 52:31 | |
| And when you have found him, | 52:35 | |
| bring me word that I too may come and worship him.' | 52:36 | |
| When they had heard the king, they went their way. | 52:41 | |
| And lo, the star which they had seen in the east | 52:44 | |
| went before them till it came to rest | 52:47 | |
| over the place where the child was. | 52:50 | |
| When they saw the star, | 52:53 | |
| they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. | 52:54 | |
| And going into the house, | 52:58 | |
| they saw the child with Mary his mother, | 52:59 | |
| and they fell down and worshiped him. | 53:02 | |
| Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts: | 53:05 | |
| gold and frankincense and myrrh." | 53:09 | |
| Thanks be to God. | 53:12 | |
| (soft piano music) | 53:17 | |
| (soft piano music) | 53:30 | |
| (soft piano music) | 53:36 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| ♪ Following the (singing faintly) of a star ♪ | 53:51 | |
| ♪ Behold, behold ♪ | 53:59 | |
| (soft piano music) | 54:05 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 54:15 | |
| (soft piano music) | 54:21 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 54:40 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 54:59 | |
| (soft piano music) | 55:05 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 55:23 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 55:37 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 55:47 | |
| (soft piano music) | 56:07 | |
| (soft piano music) | 56:29 | |
| (soft piano music) | 56:49 | |
| ♪ Mary (singing faintly) ♪ | 57:00 | |
| (soft piano music) | 57:06 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 57:24 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 57:42 | |
| (soft piano music) | 57:52 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 58:07 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 58:20 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 58:31 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| ♪ Father God ♪ | 58:46 | |
| ♪ Father God ♪ | 58:51 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 59:36 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 59:42 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 59:59 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 1:00:03 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 1:00:19 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 1:00:23 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 1:00:39 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 1:00:54 | |
| (choir singing brightly) | ||
| - | The seventh lesson, | 1:01:28 |
| St. John chapter one verses one through five and 14. | 1:01:31 | |
| St. John unfolded the great mystery of the incarnation. | 1:01:38 | |
| "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, | 1:01:45 | |
| and the Word was God. | 1:01:53 | |
| He was in the beginning with God. | 1:01:57 | |
| All things were made through him. | 1:02:01 | |
| And without him was not anything made that was made. | 1:02:05 | |
| In him was life, and the life was the light of man. | 1:02:10 | |
| The light shines in the darkness, | 1:02:17 | |
| and the darkness has not overcome it. | 1:02:20 | |
| And the word became flesh and dwelt among us | 1:02:25 | |
| full of grace and truth. | 1:02:30 | |
| We have beheld his glory, | 1:02:33 | |
| glory as of the only Son from the Father." | 1:02:36 | |
| Thanks be to God. | 1:02:43 | |
| Let the congregation stand | 1:02:47 | |
| and join in the singing of the hymn, | 1:02:49 | |
| "O Come, All Ye Faithful." | 1:02:51 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 1:02:55 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 1:03:11 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 1:03:27 | |
| ♪ O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant ♪ | 1:03:37 | |
| (gentle piano music) | 1:03:46 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 1:04:03 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 1:04:23 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 1:04:41 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 1:04:59 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 1:05:10 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 1:05:29 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 1:05:47 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (gentle piano music) | 1:06:01 | |
| (choir singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:07:07 | |
| (soft piano music) | 1:07:24 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:07:46 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:08:04 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:08:20 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:08:35 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:08:51 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:09:09 | |
| (soft piano music) | 1:09:19 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:09:38 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:09:56 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:10:12 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:10:27 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:10:42 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:10:58 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:11:14 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:11:28 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| (soft piano music) | 1:11:43 | |
| (man singing faintly) | ||
| - | Light has always been a symbol of hope and life. | 1:12:01 |
| Tonight we share symbolically and personally | 1:12:09 | |
| in receiving again and anew the light from Christ. | 1:12:15 | |
| I want you to note particularly how quickly, | 1:12:23 | |
| how meaningfully, and again, how personally light can shed | 1:12:30 | |
| and can lighten not only the life of one person, | 1:12:38 | |
| but the lives of many persons. | 1:12:41 | |
| As I light my light from the Christ candle | 1:12:45 | |
| in the center of the Advent wreath this Christmas morn, | 1:12:48 | |
| and the ushers then will light the candles | 1:12:55 | |
| of those sitting nearest the aisle. | 1:12:58 | |
| And then you share your light with your neighbor. | 1:13:01 | |
| (soft piano music) | 1:13:39 |
| - | The minister with whom I was working | 0:03 |
| and I were walking through his backyard, or his garden, | 0:05 | |
| as they call it, it was pitch dark, foggy, | 0:09 | |
| as it often was, a gloomy, gloomy night. | 0:15 | |
| We wound our way through the backyard, through the garden. | 0:21 | |
| And as we did, the Reverend Willy Wright, 72 years old | 0:27 | |
| and a saint, if God has ever had one on this earth, | 0:31 | |
| turned and said to me, "Bob, you know, there's scripture | 0:39 | |
| that's appropriate to us as we make our way | 0:44 | |
| through the darkness of this night. | 0:47 | |
| Oh Lord, let thy word be a lamp unto my feet | 0:52 | |
| and a light unto my path." | 0:59 | |
| And he said, "You know, the love of Christ is like that. | 1:04 | |
| There are times when we need a lamp unto our feet | 1:09 | |
| to show us where to take the next step along the way." | 1:15 | |
| And then he said, "There are other times | 1:22 | |
| when we need not a lamp unto feet, but a light | 1:26 | |
| unto our path to give us a longer view and to help us | 1:30 | |
| to see how to make our way along a distant path." | 1:36 | |
| And so tonight, as you receive the ever-present love | 1:43 | |
| of Christ symbolically with this light, | 1:48 | |
| may you be reminded that His light is with us always. | 1:54 | |
| His light is available to us always. | 2:02 | |
| And perhaps just as importantly, and maybe more importantly | 2:08 | |
| than anything else, it is to be shared. | 2:12 | |
| And so this night, let love be yours to receive and to give. | 2:18 | |
| Let us join now in singing "Silent Night, Holy Night." | 2:31 | |
| ("Silent Night") | 2:43 | |
| ♪ Silent night ♪ | 3:32 | |
| ♪ Holy night ♪ | 3:37 | |
| ♪ All is calm ♪ | 3:41 | |
| ♪ All is bright ♪ | 3:46 | |
| ♪ Round yon virgin ♪ | 3:51 | |
| ♪ Mother and child ♪ | 3:56 | |
| ♪ Holy infant so tender and mild ♪ | 4:00 | |
| ♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪ | 4:09 | |
| ♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪ | 4:19 | |
| ♪ Silent night ♪ | 4:28 | |
| ♪ Holy night ♪ | 4:32 | |
| ♪ Shepherds quake at the sight ♪ | 4:37 | |
| ♪ Glories stream from Heaven afar ♪ | 4:47 | |
| ♪ Heavenly hosts sing hallelujah ♪ | 4:57 | |
| ♪ Christ the Savior is born ♪ | 5:06 | |
| ♪ Christ the Savior is born ♪ | 5:16 | |
| ♪ Silent night ♪ | 5:27 | |
| ♪ Holy night ♪ | 5:32 | |
| ♪ Son of God ♪ | 5:37 | |
| ♪ Love's pure light ♪ | 5:42 | |
| ♪ Radiant beams from thy holy face ♪ | 5:47 | |
| ♪ With the dawn of redeeming grace ♪ | 5:56 | |
| ♪ Jesus, Lord, at thy birth ♪ | 6:05 | |
| ♪ Jesus, Lord, at thy birth ♪ | 6:15 | |
| ♪ Silent night ♪ | 6:26 | |
| ♪ Holy night ♪ | 6:31 | |
| (music continues) | 6:36 | |
| (music ends) | 7:28 |