by Jamie C. Sterrett

“Too Full or Fulfilled?” Albert Q. Perry

Rev. Kathy Schmitz

“O Come O Come Emmanuel”
Performed by Gwen Boniface
Accompaniment arranged by J. Sterrett

For So the Children Come,” Sophia Lyon Fahs, #616

O Come, All Ye Faithful, #253
Dawn Wicklow, Descant solo by Dawn Wicklow

“Why Not A Star?” #621

“O Holy Night,” Adolphe Adam
Tuesday Nite Band
Performing an original arrangement by J. Sterrett

from the Gospel of Matthew 2:1-6 (Traditional)

“The First Nowell,” #237

from the Gospel of Matthew 2:7-10 (Traditional)

Breathe.
Breathe slowly – deeply.
Let the air of Christmas Eve fill your lungs.
Let the warmth of this gathered people fill your heart.
Breathe.
Breathe slowly – deeply.
Exhale the rush and the worry of the season.
Breathe in the joy, the wonder, and the love that surround you always.
Breathe.
Breathe slowly – deeply.
Nourish all the gifts you have inside you.
Let your chest expand to make room for all the wonder that is you.
Breathe.
Breathe slowly – deeply.
Let go of old hurts and broken promises.
Make room inside for the gift of life.
Breathe.
Breathe slowly – deeply.
Let the air of Christmas Eve fill your lungs.
Let the warmth of this gathered people fill your heart.
Breathe.
Breathe slowly – deeply.

“It came Upon a Midnight Clear,” #244

“Wishing for Peace,” Rev. Kathy Schmitz

The reading tells us that 2000 years ago, King Herod was troubled and all Jerusalem with him.  Troubled by what they did not understand and did not control.

Elsewhere we hear that the shepherds were frightened, frightened by something they did not understand.  And then, they were comforted.  By angels.  The angels assured them that they brought good tidings of great joy.  And they told them of the birth of a baby.

2000 years later, the world is so different, and yet, it is, in so many ways the same.  People are still troubled by what they do not control, frightened but what they do not understand.  And they long to be comforted.  They wish for peace.

The world can be a frightening place.  And yet, all around us are signs of wonder, of possibility, of the beauty of what is and what yet can be.

We wish for peace, and yet all around us, between the headlines, behind the troubles, there is good news. 

We wish for peace, and yet within us, is the possibility of peace.

Within each child that is born, on each holy night, there is a world of possibilities.

Peace begins (but does not stop) with a wish, a deep wish, a dream, a longing.  For the world as it could be.  Peace begins within us and with our wish for the children of the future.

Let us not be frightened.  Let us not act out of fear, but rather, let us be comforted, and let us act out of love.

Music            “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth”
            Performed by Malcolm Boniface & Andrew Lumbert

Reflection        “Speaking for Peace,” Rev. Kathy Schmitz

The star that shone in the sky on the first Christmas shines still as a reminder that, although the wish has been heard, the possibility is present, it is still up to us to make it real.  One of the ways to make anything real is to give it voice.

The message of peace on earth is given voice at Christmas.
The prophets foretold it.
The angels sang of it.
The story has been told and retold.

Even in our day, Peace needs a voice.
We need to do more than wish for it.
We need to sing of it.
We need to speak of it.
We need to make it real – for our time – with our words.
Peace begins in our hearts, but that is not where it stays.

In this season, and at all times, let the passion of your heart sing forth.

Offertory        “There Shall a Star from Jacob,” Felix Mendelssohn
   
Reflection        “Working for Peace,” Rev. Kathy Schmitz

We are told that three Wise Men from the East saw the star and traveled a great distance and searched a long time, to find the child that it announced.  The child they believed would bring peace on Earth.  They did not merely wish upon a star.  They set the course of their lives upon it.

Years they traveled and they brought with them gifts.  For peace, they knew, took effort.  They knew that the promise of peace required something of them.  And they undertook their journey.

And so it is today. 

The promise of peace in our heart today is real.  But it requires something of us.  Are we willing to undertake that journey?

The promise of peace in the world someday is real.  But it, too, requires something of us.  Is it a journey that humanity is willing to make?

We are all on a journey and we all have gifts to bring.  We can choose the stars by which we set the course of our lives.  We also can choose the gift we share, and when and how and where.  We can choose.  May we choose well.

May our own lives, each one, be lived, this night and every night so that they bring more peace into our hearts, our relationships, and our world.

Let our wish for peace become real in the living our lives.

Please join me in a moment of silence.

“Angels We have Heard on High,” 
 Arranged and performed by Robb Haskins

“The Work of Christmas,” Howard Thurman, #615

Silent Night / Night of Silence,
Franz Gruber, Joseph Mohr / Daniel Kantor
Performed by Michelle Haddad

And now…
Into the stillness of the night take this light, a symbol of peace.
Take it with you as a wish.  A wish you carry in your heart.
When the time is right, give it voice in word and song.
Into the stillness of the night take this flame, symbol of a peace yet to be.
Take it with you as a promise.  A promise you carry with you always.
A promise that together we can take the steps, give the gifts, do the work, to create the peace we desire – the peace the world needs.