December 24, 2021

 

I know. It just doesn't seem like Christmas Eve, does it? We've all had to be preoccupied with COVID, omicron, masks, vaccines, and boosters! 

Many of us haven't had much time to decorate, wrap presents, and do all the things that makes it feel a lot like Christmas. But I have a solution for getting us in the Christmas spirit. I guarantee it will melt the heart and touch the soul of any human being. I'm speaking of seeing a large number of people holding lit candles all over the Asbury sanctuary while singing Silent Night. There is nothing like it. It's like an out-of-body experience as you are bathed in God's Spirit. 

I hope you are able to be with us tonight for Asbury's Christmas Eve Service at 6:00 pm—which is an hour earlier than we have had it in the past. If you cannot be there in person, I hope you will tune into the service online as it will be Live Streamed. I encourage those at home to have a candle with you so you can light it and hold while you join us in singing, Silent Night. We will also have Holy Communion, so have water or juice and bread or crackers with you so you can participate. Here is the link for the Online service: 

On the first Sunday of Advent, the congregation received a strip of cloth to carry with them throughout the Advent season. The cloth is a symbolic reminder of the Light of Christ coming into the world. When you enter the sanctuary for the Christmas Eve Service, you are invited to take your cloth to the front of the sanctuary to place in the cradle that will be at the altar area. If you did not receive a cloth during Advent, but still would like to participate in this symbolic act, please feel free to take a strip from the basket of cloths that will be in the narthex to bring to the cradle. 

Besides having your strip of cloth, you should have three other items when you walk in the sanctuary: a Communion Kit, a candle, and a bulletin for the service. These items will be at the check-in area. If you did not receive one of the items, please let our ushers know, and they will assist you.

We anticipate having a good number of people at the service. Since we don't have as many seats available as we normally do because of our safe practices during the pandemic, we ask that you try to move toward the center of your row This will make more seats available and will make it easier for people to find a seat. If you would prefer that someone not sit in the chair next to you for safety measures, please place the white card you received when you checked in the seat next to you. Since we are expecting a good number of people, the balcony will be open for people to sit. 

This Christmas Eve Service will be different from ones we've had in the past. Liturgical dancers will not be participating this year. Nor will we have our annual grand finale song, Carry the Light! But doing things differently gives us the opportunity to experience the Spirit of God in new ways. And you will! You will especially experience God through the music sung by the choir. One of their songs is a powerful song called, I Believe. It was written by our friend, Mark. A. Miller. Mark intended the solo line to be sung by a young person. We are blessed to have young Miranda Angeletti as our guest soloist. Just as her name implies, she has an angelic voice. Speaking of great voices, Danny Beam will also be offering a wonderful, new arrangement of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1863 poem, Christmas Bells. 

Following the Service, everyone is invited to gather in the courtyard and walk to homes in the neighborhood to sing Christmas carols...everything from Jingle Bells, Silent Night, and Joy to the World to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This is a tradition we've done for almost 30 years. Hope you can join us! 

Our Wesley Oak campus will also be offering a Christmas Eve Service. It too will have its own unique style. Having the service on the early side, we hope families will be drawn to attend who may need to get their children back home and put to bed before St. Nick comes! 

I hope to see tonight, so I can wish you a merry Christmas! But if you can't attend the service, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Have a Merry Christmas!

In Christ’s love,
Billy