This was my first experience in the tradition, so as far as history, relevance to the birth of Christ and other information will have to be individually researched by anyone interested. I can describe tonight's ceremony, and that may clear up any confusion.
As should be expected from a Christmas related service, there was the singing of Christmas season songs. This I thoroughly enjoyed, as I really love Christmas songs. Many of them I find relevant all year long, and think it would be great to sing Hark the Herald or Emmanuel or O Little Town of Bethlehem all year round (not all the time, but randomly). As you can see from the picture, we had a packed house, including several people in the lobby and many lining the back walls. It is always a blessing to be in that atmosphere with believers worshipping the Lord, and it only multiplies the excitement when it is with your closest friends and family of the Spirit.
In between songs and different passages (read from several places, including Isaiah, Luke, and Acts) of scripture, different ornaments and decorations were placed up on the stage of the sanctuary, candles lit around the room in window sills, and eventually a conclusion with each person holding a candle (my assumption for this was that it was to signify us being the light of the world, or Christ, who is our life, coming into the world and being the Light of the World. Sadly I missed this.) The wreaths were hung across the stage at one point... their greenness signifies the newness of life, particularly portrayed in the birth of our Lord, and also the newness of Life given to us by the Spirit our our sovereign God. The evergreen (Christmas tree) is a symbol of everlasting life, based on the tree being green year round, never dying with the rest of nature, staying strong and weathering the cold. This is symbolic of God's everlasting presence, and the preeminence and eternity of God our Saviour, and our eternal life given to us by His grace.
The evening was concluded with a message from Pastor Aaron. Many groups sang in the service, including the children's choir, a few solo's by various people, and several congregational songs. I am glad to see the interest that was generated about this year's ceremony, and look forward to the possibility of having a larger crowd next year.
In other announcements (these may be posted later, or removed if deemed irrelevant), today was a very significant day for the YAM of HBC. Last week, Brooke went forward to join the local body of Hephzibah, and this week Coop and Elizabeth announced their intentions to get married to the congregation, and asked that we all be in prayer for that, and whatever the Lord will have them do in a life of ministry together. Also, Scott and Brianna (sp?) announced that they will be leaving us within the next year or so to follow the Lord's calling in their lives to do campus ministry up in Pittsburgh, PA. May we be in prayer for all of these things as a ministry. I strongly urge us to commit time daily to prayer for our fellow saints in our body of believers at Hephzibah. We should hold one another accountable to just this. Grace and Peace, and God be with you as we go on with the week. Also, exams are coming up, so pray for guidance and that our college students will give efforts that glorify the Lord in their studies, and the Lord bless them so that they are equipped to do His work. -Bubba
No comments:
Post a Comment