December 24, 2023 7 PM
The Christmas Peace
A service of contemporary readings and classic carols with candle lighting, sharing a Unitarian Universalist reflection on the birth of Jesus. We end our service with a beautiful entrance into the Christmas spirit by making a wish and sharing in singing of Silent Night.
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Order of Service
Prelude John O’Neill, piano; Steve Gibb, guitar; Kory Grossman, drums
Welcome, Jamaine Cripe, Member of the Lifespan Ministry Team
Carol: O Come, All Ye Faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him, born the King of angels;
O come let us adore him…
Lo, humble shepherds, hasting to his cradle,
leaving their flocks in the fields, draw near.
We, too, with gladness, thither bend our footsteps;
O come let us adore him…
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
O come let us adore him…
Misa Iwama, Director of Music Ministry
Chalice Lighting and Yule Log Lighting, Rev. Dr. Robin Tanner and Dr. Tuli Patel, Lead Ministry Team
Reading Annunciation, Denise Levertov, Cathy Bataille
In the Bleak Midwinter (Music by Gustav Holst, Words by Christina Rossetti)
Reading “Into the Darkest Hour” ~ Madeleine L’Engle, Jamaine Cripe
Carol: It Came Upon The Midnight Clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth,
to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, to all good will,
from heaven the news we bring.”
The world in solemn stillness
lay to hear the angels sing.
For, lo! the days are hastening on
by prophet bards foretold,
when with the ever-circling years
comes round the age of gold:
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world give back the song
which now the angels sing.
Reading: Matthew 2:7-12 The Kings Travel to See Jesus, Dr. Tuli Patel
The Queens Came Late, Norma Farber
Carol: The First Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds, in fields as they lay,
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the king of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star,
Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the king of Israel.
And by the light of that same star,
Three magi came from country far;
To seek a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Born is the king of Israel.
Offering Dr. Tuli Patel
Offering: There are three ways to give to Beacon’s mission of radical inclusion, feeding the human spirit and healing the world.
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Offertory: Love Came Down at Christmas (Irish Tune: Gartan, with words by Christina Rossetti)
Homily, Rev. Dr. Robin Tanner
Reading: Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou, Cathy Bataille, Jamaine Cripe, and Dr. Tuli Patel
Candle Lighting, Cathy Bataille & Jamaine Cripe
Carol: Silent night, holy night
all is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night,
shepherds quake at the sight,
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia!”
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night,
child of God, love's pure light,
radiant beams from thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Christmas Wish, Robin & Tuli
Carol: Joy to the World! The Word is come:
let earth with praises ring.
Let every heart prepare a room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! Now gladness reigns:
let hearts their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
Benediction, Rev. Robin, Dr. Tuli, and Jamaine
Postlude
Additional Beacon Staff & Volunteers who made this service possible:
Worship Associate: Cathy Bataille
Welcome Team: Dick Muldoon
Worship Leader: Rev. Dr. Robin Tanner
Music: Misa Iwama, John O’Neill, Steve Gibb, Kory Grossman
Liturgists: Dr. Tuli Patel and Jamaine Cripe
Live Stream Technician: Will Cisco
Audio Tech: Sammy Kuriyan