Worship In-Person and/or via Zoom - Prepare a Candle to Light from Home (if you are joining via Zoom)
Join Holy Cross for Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship, including the celebration of Holy Communion, accompanied by the Riverside Brass ensemble, on-site and via Zoom, this Saturday, December 24th at 5:30 pm Mountain Time.
Bible Theme for the Day
In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. Isaiah declares that the light of the long-promised king will illumine the world and bring endless peace and justice. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good and joyful news for everyone, including lowly shepherds. Filled with the light that shines in our lives, we go forth to share the light of Christ with the whole world.
We will sing many Christmas songs together, pray with one another, have children's time, read from the Bible, hear good news proclaimed during the sermon, share the Lord's Supper, conclude with a candlelight song, bless one another, and send each other, refreshed by the gift of Jesus at Christmas, to be God's gift of love to the world.
If you are participating in worship via Zoom, you are invited to have a candle ready to light as we sing Silent Night, Holy Night! together.
I hope to see you there!
Meeting ID: 823 1803 0986
Find your local number:
https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kddrVZEBh6
Readings
Luke 2:1-14
God’s greatest gift comes as a baby in a manger. Angels announce the “good news of great joy” and proclaim God’s blessing of peace.
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”