Christmas Eve Service (December 24, 1974)
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Transcript
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) | ||
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- | 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 | |
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♪ O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant ♪ | 1:03:37 | |
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- | 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 |