Prepper Church Service - Christmas Eve 2023
Gathering
Take time to gather informally and preview the service outline. If you'd like to participate in communion and lighting of the advent candles, please be prepared to do so.
Service
I. Opening
Welcome and Introduction: Welcome, fellow preppers, to our service for the fourth Sunday in Advent, which is also Christmas Eve. As we learn to overcome the challenges of preparing for uncertain times, let us also prepare our hearts for the arrival of the greatest gift—Jesus Christ.
Opening Prayer: Gracious and Eternal God, as we gather in this sacred moment on the eve of celebrating the birth of Your Son, we bow in humble adoration. Prepare our hearts to embrace the simplicity and profound significance of the biblical narrative that unfolds on this Christmas Eve. May your presence permeate our worship, guiding us through reflections on what is recorded in Scripture and what captures our cultural imagination. Grant us clarity, discernment, and a deep sense of joy as we embark on this journey of worship. In the name of the newborn King, we pray. Amen.
Advent Candles: Today we light the fourth Advent candle, called “The Angel’s Candle” or sometimes called the candle of Peace. This candle marks the agnel’s message of peace on earth.
Scripture: Isaiah 9:6 (Amplified Bible) For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; And the government shall be upon His shoulder, And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
II. Worship and Praise
Let's enter into a time of worship, reflecting on the value of Peace.
Reflection: In our haste, we can jump to false conclusions and opportunities to lift and lighten the loads of others are lost. As we allow the light of Christ to work miracles within our own heart, we then are empowered to work wonders in the lives of others. May His perfect example of love and compassion for all guide us in our own charity towards those around us this Christmas season and always. Here are some points of reflection that can be associated with the song:
- The Incarnation: Reflect on the profound message of the incarnation, where the divine became human. Consider the humility and wonder of God entering the world as a vulnerable baby.
- Divine Light in Darkness: Contemplate the imagery of "fall on your knees" and the idea of the holy night bringing light to darkness. Connect this to the spiritual symbolism of Christ as the Light of the world.
- Redemption and Hope: Explore the themes of redemption and hope in the lyrics. Discuss how Christ's birth brings hope to a broken world and symbolizes the beginning of God's plan for salvation.
- The Savior's Birth: Focus on the central message of the song—the birth of the Savior. Consider the impact of this miraculous event and how it has shaped the course of history.
- Worship and Reverence: Encourage a spirit of worship and reverence during the song. Discuss the significance of falling on one's knees in awe and adoration before the newborn King.
- Personal Connection: Invite individuals to reflect on their personal connection to the Christmas story and the impact of Christ's birth on their lives.
- Spreading the Good News: Challenge the congregation to be messengers of the good news, just as the angels proclaimed it to the shepherds. Discuss the importance of sharing the joy and hope found in Christ.
- Loving others: Repeat the lyrics "Truly He taught us to love one another" and reflect how you can express this lesson dailly.
These points of reflection can help deepen the congregation's engagement with the worship song and foster a meaningful connection to the Christmas story.
III. Communion
Let's partake in communion as we remember the profound sacrifice that began with the humble birth of our Savior.
Communion symbolizes Jesus' sacrifice, offering forgiveness and eternal life to those who believe. It's for those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior. We invite you to take communion at home, guiding you through preparation, prayer, and reflection. It's an opportunity to introduce the practice to your family, fostering meaningful conversations about its significance.
During the time of Communion, please share the cup and break the bread as is suitable for your gathering,
IV: Message: Don’t Know Much ‘Bout Christmas Eve
As we journey back to the heart of the Christmas story, it's intriguing to consider what the Bible reveals about that sacred night, what we now refer to as Christmas Eve. Let's explore the scriptural accounts that capture the essence of this pivotal moment in history.
What is in the Bible about the day before Christmas
Luke 2:1-7 (Amplified Bible): In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus... So Joseph also went up from Galilee... to Bethlehem... she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a manger because there was no [private] room for them in the inn.
Matthew 1:18-25 (Amplified Bible): Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows... she was found to be with child by [the power of] the Holy Spirit... Joseph... took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she had given birth to a Son [her firstborn child]; and he named Him Jesus.
These passages encapsulate the essence of what the Bible recounts about the night before the birth of Christ. Mary and Joseph, guided by divine providence, find themselves in Bethlehem, a humble town with no room in the inn. The prophetic fulfillment of the virgin birth unfolds as Mary gives birth to Jesus, wrapping Him in swaddling cloths and laying Him in a manger. These verses are the biblical canvas capturing the anticipation and fulfillment of a promise, laying the foundation for the profound events of Christmas.
Scripture doesn’t even specifically define which of those events are on the day before the birth of Christ.
These two verses cover in entirety all that is in the Bible about the day that would come to be known as Christmas Eve.
Common Narratives about the Day before Christmas That Are Not in Scripture
While the Bible provides a short account of the night before Christ's birth, various cultural and artistic traditions have woven additional narratives over the centuries. These imaginative tales, while not part of the biblical record, have played a role in shaping our collective understanding of the Christmas season.
- The Innkeeper’s Heart (Folklore and popular storytelling): The compassionate innkeeper who, regretting the lack of space in the inn, provides Mary and Joseph with shelter in a stable.
- Animals in the Stable (Cultural traditions and nativity scenes): The inclusion of animals like cows, sheep, and donkeys in the stable, witnessing the miraculous birth.
- The Star of Bethlehem (Artistic interpretations and carols): The bright star, often depicted in nativity scenes, guiding the Wise Men and shepherds to the stable. While possibly inspired by Matthew 2:2, it's important to note in that record that the Maji ask, "Where is the one that has been born King of the Jews?" suggesting the star's appearance after the birth.
- Mary's Labor (Various artistic representations): Dramatic depictions of Mary's labor, emphasizing the human experience of childbirth.
- The Duration of Stay in Bethlehem (Cultural assumptions): Narratives detailing the length of Mary and Joseph's stay in Bethlehem before and after Jesus' birth.
These narratives, born from creative expressions and cultural interpretations, add layers to the Christmas story. While not rooted in scriptural accounts, they reflect the profound impact the birth of Christ has had on our collective imagination.
What's Most Important About the Day Before Christmas
As we explore the limited Biblical narrative of the day before Christ's birth, we uncover a profound truth—Christmas Eve itself holds minimal details. Yet, what follows transforms the course of history and humanity.
The scarcity of details about Christmas Eve speaks volumes. It suggests that what's most important about this day is not the events leading to the birth, but rather what follows—the arrival of the Savior, the Light of the World.
What’s most important about Christmas Eve is what comes next.
While Christmas Eve may lack elaborate narratives in Scripture, its silence sets the stage for the entrance of Emmanuel, God with us. As we anticipate the birth of Christ, let us embrace the transformative power of this silent night, recognizing that what follows changes not only the night itself but the entire course of human history.
Conclusion
While cultural narratives and dramatic interpretations may add creative color to our celebrations, it is crucial to distinguish between these embellishments and the Biblical narrative. The Bible provides a simple, yet profound account of the events leading to the birth of the Christ Child, culminating in a silent night in Bethlehem.
However, it is not the day before, shrouded in a quiet and unassuming atmosphere, but the next day—the moment when the Son of God graced the world with His presence—that truly changes the course of human history. In the hushed anticipation of Christmas Eve, we find a unique beauty, a canvas waiting to be painted with the transformative strokes of the divine.
The simplicity of the Biblical narrative emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the event that follows—when the promised Savior enters the world. It is on the subsequent day that our journey of salvation truly begins, marking an eternal shift that shapes the destiny of mankind.
V: Offering
We trust each local group to manage their offerings locally, guided by faith and the Holy Spirit. Let all our generosity strengthen our community and reach those in need around us.
In other words: do collect the offering, but don't send it to me. You decide what to do with it.
VI: Closing
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we conclude this time of worship, we express our gratitude for the simplicity and depth of the biblical narrative that guides our understanding of Christmas Eve. In the stillness of this sacred night, may the truth of Your Word resonate within us. As we move from this place, let the significance of the next day, when Your Son entered the world, linger in our hearts. May our celebrations be infused with the joy of salvation and the transformative power of Christ's love. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Closing Remarks: As we conclude our time together on this Christmas Eve, may the simplicity of the biblical narrative linger in our hearts. While various stories and traditions color our celebrations, let us anchor ourselves in the truth of Scripture. Christmas is not just about the eve but the dawn that follows—the birth of the Christ Child, our Savior. As we carry the message of this silent night into the world, may the joy, hope, and peace found in Christ be our guiding light. Wishing you all a blessed and joy-filled Christmas. Amen.
Local Group Discussion and Fellowship
Feel free to continue the celebration in your local groups, discussing the message, sharing your reflections, and enjoying fellowship. Here are a few points of reflection for the entire service that individuals and groups can discuss informally afterward:
- Contemplate the anticipation of a world awaiting a transformative moment, even in the seemingly ordinary.
- Reflect on how God's extraordinary work often emerges from the ordinary, reshaping our understanding of significance.
- Acknowledge the quietness of Christmas Eve as a prelude to the resounding impact of Christ's birth.
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