Candlelight Service: The Whole Story of Christ
This Liturgy is taken from Faith Community Church and was used on December 24, 2023. This blog is written for a timestamp but also for use for other churches.
Welcome and Prayer
Good evening! We are glad you have come to worship with us at Faith Community Church for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.
Tonight, we are going to consider, through song and reading, the whole life of Christ, from His first Advent, at His birth, to His second Advent, in His return, which we still eagerly await. As we pray, open your hearts and mind to consider the wonders of Christ this evening.
Let’s pray.
Tonight, we are going to consider, through song and reading, the whole life of Christ, from His first Advent, at His birth, to His second Advent, in His return, which we still eagerly await. As we pray, open your hearts and mind to consider the wonders of Christ this evening.
Let’s pray.
Hymn: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (v. 1-2)
Hymn: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (v. 1)
Reading: The Prophecy of Christ
The birth of Christ was foretold by the prophet Isaiah nearly 750 years before His birth.
Isaiah 9:6-7 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
Let’s continue to sing together as we sing, “What Child Is This?”
Isaiah 9:6-7 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
Let’s continue to sing together as we sing, “What Child Is This?”
Hymn: What Child Is This? (v. 1)
Hymn: Away In A Manger (v. 1)
Hymn: O Holy Night (v. 1)
Hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem (v. 1)
Reading: The Birth of Christ
*at the beginning of this reading, the congregation will have their candles lit.
Luke 2:1-7 says, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
The light of the world has been born. As we light the candles this evening, we light them knowing what Jesus says in John 8:12: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
While this candle each of us holds is symbolic, I would encourage you to ponder whether or not you have realized your darkened heart because of your sin. Christ, the light of the world, has shone upon your darkened hearts and minds so that you would trust in Him as the only way of salvation.
As we consider this, let’s continue to sing together, “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”
Luke 2:1-7 says, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
The light of the world has been born. As we light the candles this evening, we light them knowing what Jesus says in John 8:12: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
While this candle each of us holds is symbolic, I would encourage you to ponder whether or not you have realized your darkened heart because of your sin. Christ, the light of the world, has shone upon your darkened hearts and minds so that you would trust in Him as the only way of salvation.
As we consider this, let’s continue to sing together, “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”
Hymn: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (v. 1,4)
Hymn: We Three Kings of Orient Are (v. 1)
Hymn: The First Noel
Reading: The Life of Christ
This little baby born in a manger was given the title Emmanuel, which means God with us. John says it this way, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus would not stay a baby but he would live his life continually as God with us. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was without sin, and in His life, he was continuing to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament.
Luke 4:16-21 says, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Dear friends, know that Christ lived his perfect life without sin so that he would soon be the appropriate sacrifice for your sins.
Let’s continue to sing, “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Luke 4:16-21 says, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Dear friends, know that Christ lived his perfect life without sin so that he would soon be the appropriate sacrifice for your sins.
Let’s continue to sing, “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Hymn: Angels We Have Heard On High (v. 1)
Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful (v. 1,3)
Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (v. 1,3)
Hymn: Joy to the World (v. 1,4)
Hymn: Silent Night
Reading: The Death of Christ
*blow out candles
Jesus Christ, born on Christmas morning, the Son of God, who was perfect in his life, was born to die.
John 19:14-30 records this by saying, “ Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour.[c] He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.
So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic.[d] But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,
“They divided my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”
So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
As you blow out your candle, I pray you feel the weight of the death of Christ. Remember, that Jesus Christ came into the world to die for sinners.
Let’s continue to sing and consider this reality.
Jesus Christ, born on Christmas morning, the Son of God, who was perfect in his life, was born to die.
John 19:14-30 records this by saying, “ Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour.[c] He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.
So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic.[d] But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,
“They divided my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”
So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
As you blow out your candle, I pray you feel the weight of the death of Christ. Remember, that Jesus Christ came into the world to die for sinners.
Let’s continue to sing and consider this reality.
Hymn: Were You There?
Reading: The Resurrection of Christ
Matthew 27:62-28:6 says, “The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”
Dear friends, Christ is no longer in the tomb! Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!
Let’s rejoice that Christ has conquered death, hell and the grave by singing, “Because He Lives”
Dear friends, Christ is no longer in the tomb! Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!
Let’s rejoice that Christ has conquered death, hell and the grave by singing, “Because He Lives”
Hymn: Because He Lives (v. 1)
Reading: The Second Advent of Christ
Thank you for coming to worship with us tonight. I will leave you with this; Christ is born, Christ has lived, Christ was killed and buried, Christ is alive….and dear friends, Christ will come again!
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
As we light the candles again, in anticipation for Christ to come again, know that you, Christian, are what Jesus said you are in Matthew 5:14-16: ““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[b] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Dear friends, the light of the world has shone upon our darkened hearts and give to us the light of the world. We no longer walk in darkness but in light. Go, dear Chrstian, in the strength of the Lord and glorify your God in heaven. Until the light of the world comes again, we eagerly wait.
This song is a cry of our eager waiting for His return. May this song be the mark of your life.
At the end of this next song, you are dismissed. Please leave with silent reverence and carry your candles out with you and blow them out as you leave the building. Again, thank you for coming!
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
As we light the candles again, in anticipation for Christ to come again, know that you, Christian, are what Jesus said you are in Matthew 5:14-16: ““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[b] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Dear friends, the light of the world has shone upon our darkened hearts and give to us the light of the world. We no longer walk in darkness but in light. Go, dear Chrstian, in the strength of the Lord and glorify your God in heaven. Until the light of the world comes again, we eagerly wait.
This song is a cry of our eager waiting for His return. May this song be the mark of your life.
At the end of this next song, you are dismissed. Please leave with silent reverence and carry your candles out with you and blow them out as you leave the building. Again, thank you for coming!
Psalm Singing: Psalm 130
Recent
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away: An Approach to Daily Good Theology That Keeps the Wolves and Their Bad Theology Away
March 27th, 2025
Candlelight Service: The Whole Story of Christ
December 31st, 2024
Candlelight Service: The Darkness of Sin and the Light of Christ
December 30th, 2024
The Church is Beautiful
December 11th, 2024
Burn Your Books
December 10th, 2024
Archive
2024
Categories
no categories
No Comments