All of my life I have spent Christmas eve at church. While I go anticipating seeing people I do not get to see often and seeing the church lit up for Christmas I think I anticipate singing "Silent Night" the most! That was my father and grandmother's favorite Christmas song. They would start out singing and then be quiet because their hearts were so touched. I understand because I find myself overwhelmed also.
At the end of our service, the congregation stands and sings, “Silent Night” while holding unlit candles. As we sang, ushers light the candles on the aisle from one large candle. Then, one by one, we passed the flame down the rows by lighting our neighbors’ candles, until the sanctuary is lit with the glow of hundreds of flickering lights. It is a sacred time.
In many churches across the world, lights are dimmed and candles are glowing. Voices fill sanctuaries with a carol welcoming the birth of Jesus Christ. Anxieties will melt away as worshipers sing "Silent night, Holy night, All is calm, All is bright." The significance of having a single lit candle representing Christ, the Light of the world, being shared, one by one, and lighting individual candles is powerful. It is a visible sign of the truth that the Spirit of Christ is shared and does light up the world!
I pray you get to celebrate Christ's birth this Christmas season. Spread the Good News! "Oh Holy night the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear Savior's birth!"
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