First Unitarian Churchof

St. Louis

Christmas Eveservice of carols and lights

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Christmas Eveservice of carols and lights

RINGING OF THE BELL

PRELUDE

Silent NightEarl Naylor, organist

Lighting of the Candles and Chalice

*CHOIR PROCESSIONAL

O Come, All Ye FaithfulO 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, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle,Leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear;We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above;Glory to God in the highest: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

*Please stand as you are able.

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CALL TO WORSHIP

A Stop on the WayAnn Foster

All praise, all love, all honor to thee, newborn son! Nestling within your mother’s arms 2000 years ago, Your radiant name lights up our winter dark into a blazing festival of light! No one before or since your birth has given, in their one life, such ever verdant testament of good. To Jesus, man and myth, we dedicate this hour. And reverently relight the flame of Christmas, Christmas—which is enduring And we—who pass away Are one this night.

There is a kind of immortality in this; All Christmases that went before and all that are to come Are joined tonight by this one hour.

There is a kind of immortality in this; To be alive tonight; To share here the immortal feast of Christmas;To watch once more the candles glow; To hear retold the ancient tale; To hear and sing the ageless Christmas songs.

Rejoice that we are here together once again. Rejoice that we worship love and life made one. Rejoice that one—one soul can be a bright, clear star for centuries. Rejoice! In Love’s name, rejoice!

CHOIR

Still, Still, Stillarr. Norman Luboff

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READING

Newborn Beginning . . . After CaesarWalter Brueggemann

The Christ Child is about to be born, The one promised by the angel.Mary’s “fullness of time” has arrived.Except that the birth is scheduledAccording to the emperor:A decree went out that all should be numbered.

Caesar decreed a census, everyone counted;Caesar intended to have up-to-date data for the tax rolls;Caesar intended to have current lists of draft eligibility;Caesar intended taxes to support armies, because the emperor, in whatever era, is always about money and power, about power and force, about force and control, and eventually violence.

And while we wait for the Christ Child, we are enthralled by the things of Caesar— money . . . power . . . control, and all the well-being that comes from such control, even if it requires a little violence.

But in the midst of the decree will come this long-expected Jesus, innocent, vulnerable, full of grace and truth, grace and not power, truth and not money, mercy and not control.

We also dwell in the land of Caesar; we pray for the gift of your spirit, that we may loosen our grip on the things of Caesar, that we may turn our eyes toward the baby, our ears toward the newness, our hearts toward the gentleness, our power and money and control toward your new governance.

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We crave the newness. And while the decree of the emperor rings in our ears with such authority, give us newness that we may start again at the beginning, that the innocence of the baby may intrude upon our ambiguity, that the vulnerability of the child may veto our lust for control, that we may be filled with wonder and so less of anxiety, in the blessed name of the baby we pray.

*CONGREGATIONAL CAROL

It Came upon a Midnight ClearWOMEN 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 heav’n the news we bring.”The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

MENStill through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful wings unfurled; And still their heav’nly music floats o’er all the weary world. Above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hov’ring wing; And ever o’er its Babel sounds, the blessed angels sing.

CHOIRBut with the woes of war and strife, the world has suffered long; Beneath the angel strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong; And we who fight the wars hear not the love song which they bring. O hush the noise of battle strife, and hear the angels sing.

ALLFor 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 gives back the song which now the angels sing.

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READING

In This NightDorothee Soelle

In this night the stars left their habitual placesand kindled wildfire tidings that spread faster than sound.In this night the shepherds left their poststo shout the new slogans into each other’s clogged ears.In this night the foxes left their burrowsand the lion spoke with deliberation,“This is the end revolution.”In this night roses fooled the earthand began to bloom in the snow.

CHOIR

There Is No Rose of Such VirtueJohn Joubert

READING

Christmas . . . the Very Next DayWalter Brueggemann

Had we the chance, we would have rushed to Bethlehem to see this thing that had come to pass.

Had we been a day later, we would have found the manger empty and the family departed.

We would have learned that they fled to Egypt, warned that the baby was endangered, sought by the establishment of the day that understood how his very life threatened the way things are.

We would have paused at the empty stall and pondered how this baby from the very beginning was under threat.

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The powers understood that his grace threatened all our coercions;they understood that his truth challenged all our lies;they understood that his power to heal nullified our many pathologies;they understood that his power to forgive vetoed the power of guilt and the drama of debt among us.

From day one they pursued him, and schemed and conspired until finally . . . on a gray Friday . . . they got him!

No wonder the family fled, in order to give him time for his life.

We could still pause at the empty barn— and ponder that all our babies are under threat, all the vulnerable who stand at risk before predators, our babies who face the slow erosion of consumerism, our babies who face the reach of sexual exploitation, our babies who face the call to war, placed as we say, “in harm’s way,” our babies, elsewhere in the world, who know of cold steel against soft arms and distended bellies from lack of food; our babies everywhere who are caught in the fearful display of ruthless adult power.

We ponder how peculiar this baby at Bethlehem is, summoned to save the world, and yetwe know, how like every child, this one also was at risk. The manger is empty a day later . . . the father warned in a dream.Our world is so at risk, and yet we seek after and wait for this child “Emmanuel.”Come be with us, you who are called “God with us.”

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RESPONSIVE PRAYER/SONG

O Come, O Come EmmanuelCHOIRO come, O come, Emmanuel, and with your captive children dwell.

MINISTERO come, Emmanuel! God-With-Us and God-Within-Us! The centuries have come and gone. Generations have passed, and still the prophecy is not fulfilled. When shall it be that the wilderness shall blossom as the rose, and the rough places be made plain, and a glorious light shall shine upon us? When shall the time come, the time that was promised, when swords shall be turned into plough-shares and spears into pruning hooks? When shall the strife be ended and the reign of love appear? O God, renew our hope, make quiet our fears! Come and renew our spirits.

CHOIRO come, O come, Emmanuel, and with your captive children dwell.

CONGREGATION Come in a whirlwind, awaken awareness. Come in a still breeze, speak to our hearts. Come, lift the clouds, enlighten our darkness. Come, gentle presence, come as a friend. Come, perfect peace, long, long promised. Come, heal our brokenness, bind up our wounds. Come, lead us safely through our wilderness wanderings. Come shade, come shelter, stretch out your hand.

CHOIRO come, O come, Emmanuel, and with your captive children dwell.

CONGREGATION Come, Bread of Life. The whole world hungers. Come, Living Water: How long must we thirst? Come, Liberator: Lead us from bondage! Come, Justice: Restore the lost rights of the poor.

MINISTERCome, banish our sadness, set our hearts dancing. Come quickly, You are our strength and our song. Come, Life! Come, Easter! Come, Love in us!

ALLO come, O come, Emmanuel, and with your captive children dwell.Give comfort to all exiles here, and to the aching heart bid cheer.Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come within as Love to dwell.

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DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING

OFFERTORY

In the Bleak MidwinterRobert Clatterbuck

*CONGREGATIONAL CAROL

The First NowellALLThe first Nowell 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!

WOMENThey lookéd 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. ALL Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the king of Israel!

ALLAnd by the light of that same star, three wise men came from country far; To seek for a king was their intent, And to follow the star wherever it went. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the king of Israel!

MENThis star drew nigh to the northwest; o’er Bethlehem it took its rest; And there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. ALL Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the king of Israel!

ALLThen let us all with one accord sing praises to our heav’nly Lord, That hath made heaven and earth of naught, and with his blood mankind hath bought. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the king of Israel!

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READING

Christmas SonnetSara Walther

And now, the greatest miracle of all, Recurrent, silent, glorious as the sun; Once more the lovely mother in the stall Sings to her babe, the helpless holy one, Immortal, changeless and with light suffused. The ancient story of our heritage Of beauty in a noisy world, confused With greed and cruelty and senseless rage. The quiet message lives. Oh wondrous gift That, punctual in darkness, brings the song Of angels, and the shepherd’s eyes that lift As do our hearts, in worship! We who long For peace and goodwill for humankind That Christmas Star will seek and find.

CHOIR

Zion Hears the WatchmanJ. S. Bach

READING

Luke 2:1–14 And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the City of Nazareth, into Judea unto the City of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should

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be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the Glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, and on earth peace, goodwill toward all.

*CONGREGATIONAL CAROL

O Little Town of BethlehemO little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond’ring love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth. Let praises ring: from God they bring goodwill to all on earth.

How silently, how silently the wonder is made known, When God imparts to human hearts the gift that is our own. No ear may hear that coming, but in this worldly din, When souls are truly humble, the dear babe rests within.

READING

Luke 2:15–20 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go even into Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” And they came with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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*CONGREGATIONAL CAROL

Angels We Have Heard on HighAngels we have heard on high sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why these songs of happy cheer? What great brightness did you see? What glad tidings did you hear? Gloria in excelsis Deo.

See him in a manger laid whom the angels praise above; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while we raise our hearts in love, Gloria in excelsis Deo.

READING

Life Is Saved by the Singing of AngelsHoward Thurman

There must be always remaining in everyone’s life some place for the singing of angels—some place for that which in itself is breathlessly beautiful and by an inherent prerogative, throwing all the rest of life into a new and creative relatedness. Something that gathers up in itself all the freshets of experience from drab and commonplace areas of living and glows in one bright light of penetrating beauty and meaning—then passes. The commonplace is shot through with new glory—old burdens become lighter, deep ancient wounds lose much of their old, old hurting.

A crown is placed over our heads that for the rest of our lives we are trying to grow tall enough to wear. Despite all the crassness of life, despite all the hardness of life, despite all of the harsh discords of life, life is saved by the singing of angels.

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CHOIR

Candlelight CarolJohn Rutter

READING

The Word Became FleshRebecca Parker

You have to know your bodyas the home of God.And this is the purpose of Christmas.

The rose blossoming in the wildernessis the unfolding of your pleasureas the fingers peel an orangeand sweetness buds in the mouth.

The bright star in the night skyis the sudden clarity of yourinstinct for joy.

The terror of Herod’s murderous intentis your rage that would prefer deathto change.

The singing of angels is your voicenot sure of the tunebut certain, for a moment, thatthere is glory.

The animals, breathing their warm breath in the fragile stable are your emotions kneeling into the body of the earth at ease in the presence of God.

Mary is you carrying God in your body. Joseph is you sheltering God in the world.

This is the key to the mystery, The Word became Flesh. We are the dwelling place

Now: How will you live?

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Litany of Light

CONGREGATIONAL CAROL

Silent Night(Please remain seated.)

ALLSilent 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.

CHOIRSilent night, holy night!Shepherds quake at the sight.Glories stream from heaven afar. Heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia!” Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!

MENSilent night, holy night!Son of God, love’s pure light.Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus Lord, at thy birth, Jesus Lord, at thy birth.

ALLSilent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light. With the angels let us sing “Alleluia to our King.” Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.

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RESPONSIVE BENEDICTION

The Work of ChristmasHoward Thurman

When the song of angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the brothers and sisters, to make music in the heart.

THE SHARING OF PEACE We go out in joy, And are led forth in peace. Though darkness descends around us, The light of stars leads us on. Peace be with you.And with you.

(Extinguish candles.)

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*RECESSIONAL

Joy to the WorldJoy to the world! The Lord is come: Let earth receive her king; Let every heart prepare him room, And heav’n and nature sing,And heav’n and nature sing,And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

Joy to the world! The Savior reigns; Let all their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy,Repeat the sounding joy,Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and graceAnd makes the nations proveThe glories of his righteousnessAnd wonders of his love,And wonders of his love,And wonders, and wonders of his love.

December 24, 2017