Shadow and Light: A Service for a Pandemic Christmas Eve

Years ago, I attempted a Christmas Eve service where light increased and grew. It didn’t include the familiar singing of Silent Night in the darkened sanctuary and no one was happy about that.

This is my second attempt at moving into more light and more light as the birth of Christ becomes more and more real. Inspired by the Tenebrae tradition that is so familiar to Holy Week celebrations, this flows like a service of Lessons and Carols with song and story weaving together the good news of this birth.

More and more candles are lit to welcome the Light of the World before Joy to the World is sung with full gusto and glory. Music suggestions are provided for those congregations where musicians are just as weary as pastors. 

This is a complete liturgy for online worship on Christmas Eve.