Christ | A Candle Lighting Liturgy for Christmas Eve

John 1:1–14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The light has gathered. We celebrate in Hope (light a purple candle), Love (light a purple candle), Joy (light the pink candle), and Peace (light the final purple candle) which are all central characteristics of our Immanuel, God with us, whose light shines in the Christ candle this Christmas (light the white candle).

Light is a central image for God’s presence throughout Scripture. “A pillar of fire…to give them light.” “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” And now “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus will declare with his own lips, “I am the light of the world,” and we celebrate tonight his birth — the one who is the light. We know that he comes precisely because the people are walking in darkness. We don’t need a flashlight at noon on a sunny day, but once the sun goes down, we need streetlights, headlights and any other light we can muster. In Jesus, everyone and everything is illuminated. The “light of all mankind,” comes to dispel all our darkness, and he shines everywhere because there is darkness everywhere and in each one of us. Jesus is the one who finally reveals the world and all its inhabitants for what they truly are. And with deep love and compassion, Jesus Christ, the light of the world, sees our every gift and every flaw, and chooses to wrap us all in his warm light. This is the very foundation of the good news.

Let’s pray.

God of all light, we come before you in many ways bruised, broken and cracked apart. Thank you for shining your light into these cracks, bringing your healing presence to our deepest need. We know that in our lives and in this world, there is still great darkness. Help us to see the darkness for what it is, that we might not fall under its seductive sway. Send us into places of great need with the godly virtues of your kingdom, that we might live as lanterns for your light. And may we be reminded that the light of the world is first revealed in the humble simplicity of a little child, who we are now compelled to receive in childlike faith. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen