The main page for the "Grounded and Growing—A Series for Advent and Christmas." This includes links to service outlines for each week of Advent and Christmas which include an Advent candle lighting as well as additional resources and creative ideas. Ahead of each service you will find a reflection to aid you in your worship and sermon planning.
Are you looking for resources for Advent and Christmas? You are sure to find something at ReformedWorship.org with hundreds of resources from series that provide services for each week, to lessons and carols, Longest Night or Blue Christmas services, children’s pageants, to advent candle lighting—we have it covered. All of these resources are a gift to you and available for free.
There's my apple, Mom!" We were halfway through singing the first hymn when my son's eyes caught sight of his creation. I could hear the pride in his voice. "It's for Adam and Eve," he announced. As I quieted him, I smiled to myself, remembering his wide grin as he carried his apple forward as part of the offering on the first Sunday of Advent.
Faith communities are increasingly attentive to the needs of people who are “blue” during the holiday season. They are creating sacred space and hospitable settings to include those who face various kinds of losses, illnesses, grief, depression, or conditions that make their grief poignant. Those difficult emotions can connect us more deeply to the reason for Christ’s incarnation. “Blue” services are reflective, accepting the reality of where people are emotionally. They offer a message of hope and an assurance of God’s presence with us in the midst of our darkness. As we experience both individual and communal grief and lament, it is important to acknowledge that fact in worship. While such a service can happen at any time during Advent, for those in the Northern Hemisphere it is often held on December 21 and referred to as “The Longest Night Service.”This particular service, planned for Grace Community Christian Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois, works whenever you hold it. Its basic form is based on an order developed and used at The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, Honolulu, Hawaii. Grace Community has used it (with some minor changes) for several years. We are grateful that the Cathedral has given permission for it to be shared with Reformed Worship’s readers. This particular service was developed in coordination with Erik Kamp, who was an intern at Grace Community. Please acknowledge both communities if you choose to use this service.You may want to give name tags or index cards to those who attend and have them write the name of the person (including oneself) or situation they are thinking of or mourning during this season. Something about naming it and writing it down can help people begin the healing process or open them up to healing.PreludeSolo/Duet: “Breath of Heaven” GrantWelcome[Consider adapting the opening paragraph to make it more contextual.]We gather this evening during this Christmas season in a spirit of somber remembrance. While the rest of the world seems to be celebrating the joyous occasion, we come to the manger realizing that the world is as cold as stone, that feelings of loneliness and loss overwhelm, and that our hearts cry out: “Help us be strong; help us.” I invite each of you this evening not to hide or suppress those feelings, but to embrace them, realizing that they bring you much closer to the real Christmas story.This evening we remember the true story: A helpless babe born into a world that was struggling, a world that was questioning where God was, a world crying out, “Why?” A helpless babe born in a cold, stone room without the joyous welcome we often picture. A helpless babe born into a family that was poor, tired, and frightened. A helpless babe who would change all this for the world.We Gather in God’s PresenceOpening SentencesLORD, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you.May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.I am overwhelmed with troubles, and my life draws near to death.I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength.—Psalm 88:1–4[Light the Christ Candle.]The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. . . .For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.—Isaiah 9:2, 6–7Song“O Little Town of Bethlehem” Brooks, LUYH 88, GtG 121, SSS 80God’s Greeting/Mutual GreetingsWe Remember and Seek Comfort: A Litany of RemembrancePersons Who Have Been Loved and LostLighting of the First CandleWe light the first Advent candle and remember those persons who have been loved and lost. We pause to remember their names, their faces, their voices. We give thanks for the memory that binds them to us in this season.Lord, surround us all with your eternal love.All Sing“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, LUYH 61 (v. 1), GtG 88, SSS 73[Silence]Words of ComfortPsalm 103:13–17Other Occasions of LossLighting of the Second CandleWe light a second candle mindful of the many sources of loss and grief: the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, or the loss of health. As we gather up all our pain, we offer it to you, O God, asking that into our open hands you will place the gift of peace.Hold us, help us, heal us, O God.All Sing“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, LUYH 61 (v. 6), GtG 88, SSS 73[Silence]Words of ComfortPsalm 139:11–12Acknowledging the PainLighting of the Third CandleWe light a third candle to acknowledge the pain of our loss in this Christmas season. We pause to remember the past weeks, months and, for some of us, years of difficult times. In the poignancy of memories, we feel all the grief, the sadness, the hurts, and the fears, and we entrust them to Christ, the suffering servant who is victorious over death itself.We remember that the dawn overcomes the darkness.All Sing“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, LUYH 61 (v. 5), GtG 88, SSS 73[Silence]Words of ComfortPsalm 34:19Gratitude for Those Who’ve Journeyed with UsLighting of the Fourth CandleWe light a fourth candle to remember all who have shared in our sorrow. We thank you, Lord, for their compassion, for their presence with us in times when our hurt went deeper than words could express. We remember that you, Lord, sent your Holy Spirit to sympathize with our weakness and to carry our sorrows.We thank you for those who held us and pointed to your light.All Sing“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, LUYH 61 (v. 7), GtG 88, SSS 73[Silence]Words of ComfortMatthew 5:4, 7Prayer of ComfortWe Hear God’s WordScriptureJohn 1:1–5Message“Christmas in the Darkness and Storm”We Respond in HopePrayer of HopeGod of compassion, we come again to you as Christmas nears.We grieve over what might have been.A death or loss or struggle tarnishes our experience of this season. We feel cut off from joy, lost from what we once felt, wondering if the light will indeed come. We find ourselves adrift, alone, lost. Lord, help us find our way.Loving God, hear our prayer,and in your merciful love, answer.The Advent season reminds us of what used to be but is no more. Memories of what was and fears of what may be keep us from the joy of today. All around are the sounds of celebration, but joy eludes us. Be near us this night.Loving God, hear our prayer,and in your merciful love, answer.In this season of Advent waiting, we bring you those sorrows and longings too deep for words. Hear the groans of our hearts, and tend us with your comfort and grace.Loving God, hear our prayer,and in your merciful love, answer.In the silence, we bring you our own words of need, our own words of hope.[Silence]In this dark night, let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you. ln the quietness of this night, may your peace enfold us, and those dear to us, and all who have no peace. Keep us in the truth that the night is nearly over; the day is almost here. We look expectantly to a new day, to new joys.Loving God, hear our prayer,and in your merciful love, answer. Amen.Words of HopeMay your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.—Psalm 33:22; Isaiah 40:31; Romans 15:13Lighting of Candles and Song of Peace“Silent Night! Holy Night!” Mohr, LUYH 85, GtG 122, SSS 83As we sing, all who wish are invited forward to prayerfully light a candle in memory, in honor, in gratitude, in hope, or in love, inviting the love of Christ to dispel our darkness.Passing of the PeaceBenediction1 Peter 5:10–11
This children’s Christmas program, which incorporates questions and answers from the Heidelberg Catechism, follows the well-known structure of “sin, salvation, and service.” It is a celebration of God’s love for us and our response in faith.
As our worship committee met to plan our annual Christmas candlelight service, one of the members asked about the connection between candles and Christmas: “Why do we always hold a candlelight service anyway?” he wondered. This was a question worth asking. Sometimes we repeat our traditions year after year without giving our congregations much explanation for why we practice them. As I explained how candles emphasize the theme of light and darkness, and how Jesus appears as light in the world, we agreed that our candlelight service would do well to illustrate this theme. Along with our two seminary interns, we studied the theme of light and darkness as it is woven through all of Scripture, and then we planned a service to highlight this magnificent biblical theme. Scripture readings alternated with interpretive or explanatory comments. Our service included many familiar carols that echo these themes, but with some thought, worship planners could substitute other songs that would fit their own contexts.We found it best to project the song lyrics using white letters on a dark background. The service, including the songs, proceeded unannounced. We recruited two people to lead the reading portions of the service, but for increased participation, you could use as many as sixteen readers (two for each section).We also wanted to help the congregation experience the transition between light and darkness, so the lighting in the sanctuary was brightened or dimmed throughout the service (as noted in the liturgy). Candles in an Advent wreath up front and decorative candles throughout the sanctuary remained lit throughout the service to give some background light. Individual candles (and holders!) were distributed as people filed in so at the end of the service the candles could be lit as directed, with each person acting as a “light” as they were sent out.God Creates Light[Sanctuary is entirely dark; the first candle is lit.]Reader 1: God’s salvation story stretches from before creation and into the coming time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth and God’s people will be with him for eternity. God uses light in amazing ways throughout God’s grand story. As we reflect on the birth and life of Jesus, let us consider how light and darkness play into God’s mighty works.First, God creates light.Reader 2: Genesis 1:1–5Reader 1: Once upon a time, the universe was hidden in darkness. There were no stars to shine at night, no sun to rise or set, and no moon to reflect light to the earth. In fact, light didn’t even exist! But God did the impossible: God brought light out of darkness. Can you imagine? One moment, there was no such thing, but then God speaks, and with God’s words God separates the light from the darkness! From the first pages of the Bible to the very last, light is an important theme. Tonight, as we trace the theme of light from Genesis to Revelation, we worship Jesus, the light of the world, born to deliver us from darkness.Song of Reflection: “Silent Night, Holy Night” MohrGod Is Light[The second candle is lit.]Reader 1: God uses light and is tied to light in amazing ways all through God’s grand story. As we reflect on the birth and life of Jesus, let us consider again how light and darkness play into God’s mighty works.First God creates light.Second, God is light!Reader 2: 2 Chronicles 7:1–5Reader 1: When God appeared to the Israelites in the desert, God appeared to them as light. Each day, the light of God led the people as they traveled from Egypt to Canaan. When God moved from the tabernacle into the temple, the light of God’s glory was so bright and glorious that people couldn’t even look at God! Many years later, when Jesus was born on a dark night in Bethlehem, the bright light of the angels shone down on the shepherds, and once again the light of God’s presence was so glorious that the shepherds were terrified!Song of Reflection: “While Shepherds Watched their Flocks” TateGod Sends His Light to the Nations[The third candle is lit.]Reader 1: So far we’ve seen two ways that light and darkness play into God’s mighty works.In creating the world, God also creates light. Then we learn that God is light!Now we learn that in an act of grace, God sends God’s light to the nations!Reader 2: Isaiah 60:1–3, 19–20Reader 1: In the Bible, walking in the light means living obediently to God. To walk in darkness means to walk apart from God. The Bible says that since Adam and Eve first sinned, the world has once again been covered in darkness. Even so, God promised to send God’s light into the world, and God’s plan was to shine God’s light to all the nations of the world.Songs of Reflection:“Arise, Shine, for Your Light Is Come” Warner/Chappell Music Canada Ltd.“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Latin, 12th cent.Jesus Comes As the Light[The fourth candle and the Christ candle are lit.]Reader 1: Now we’ve seen three ways that light and darkness play into God’s mighty works. In creating the world, God also creates light. Then we learn that God is light. And as the light, God sends God’s light to the nations. But God is not finished. In the fullness of time, Jesus came as the light!Reader 2: John 1:1–3; John 8:12Reader 1: Jesus is the true light of the world, and he entered into the darkness of our sinful and broken world. The Christmas story is full of light, from the light of the angels who appeared to the shepherds to the light of the star that the Magi followed in order to find Jesus. At Christmas, we worship Jesus as the light who shines in the darkness and gives light to all nations.Songs of Reflection: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Wade“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” WesleyWe Prefer the DarknessT[he four candles of the Advent wreath are extinguished.]Reader 1: Light and darkness play into God’s mighty works. However, we need to reflect on how people respond to the light of God. In our sinful brokenness, we prefer the darkness.Reader 2: John 3:19–21Reader 1: Sadly, even though Jesus came bringing the beautiful light of God’s presence, our hearts reject the light that God has brought. Instead, we prefer the darkness. We would rather decide for ourselves what is right and wrong. We put our own wants above our neighbor’s. We say things that hurt others. We think and act selfishly. We prefer the darkness. Yet even in the darkness, we long for the comfort of the Light.Song of Reflection: “Comfort, Comfort, Now My People” OleariusJesus Descends into Darkness[The Christ candle is extinguished, leaving the sanctuary dark except for the decorative candles.]Reader 1: Light and darkness play into God’s mighty works. God creates light. God is light. God sends God’s light to the nations. And Jesus came as the Light. In our sinful response, we prefer the darkness. And in an act of amazing grace, Jesus descends into the darkness for us so that we might know the light of God’s presence.Reader 2: Matthew 27:45–46Reader 1: Even though we have rejected the light of God’s presence, Jesus, the light of the world, entered into the darkness for us. On the cross, he experienced the darkness of rejection from God. The Father turned his face away from his Son, leaving him in utter darkness. Jesus endured the deepest darkness so that we might know the light of God’s presence. He triumphed over the darkness so that the curse of sin might be defeated.Song of Reflection: “Joy to the World” WattsGod Shines His Light Upon Us[The Christ candle is lit again.]Reader 1: God uses light and is tied to light in amazing ways all through God’s grand story. When we encounter God’s saving grace through faith, we prefer Jesus rather than the darkness, and God shines God’s light upon us.Reader 2: Psalm 67:1–3Reader 1: The psalmist prayed that the light of God’s face would shine upon God’s people so that God’s people might in turn shine God’s light to the world. Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world, and we are to make known God’s goodness to everyone we meet. May God help us each day to be a light in this dark world!Song of Reflection: “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” CoffinThe Light of HeavenReader 1: God uses light and is tied to light in amazing ways all through God’s grand story.God creates light. God is light. God sends God’s light to the nations. And Jesus came as the light. In Christ, we experience God shining God’s light upon us. And we long for the day when God will bring God’s redemption plan to fullness. In that day we will be forever in the light of heaven.Reader 2: Revelation 21:1–2, 22–25Reader 1: One day, night will be no more. The darkness of our sad and broken world will be forever done away with. In place of darkness, we will enjoy the radiance of God’s presence for the rest of time. Until that day, we live in hope! Light has triumphed over darkness, and we await the day when the light will shine forever more. We leave this place tonight as those who have experienced the light of God’s presence, and we are sent out as those who are the light of the world.Benediction[During the final song, the Christ candle is used to light the readers’ candles, which are in turn used to light the candles of the congregants, until the sanctuary is lit with the candles of each person.]Song of Proclamation: “O Holy Night” WR 187
More Resources
Psalms for Worship—Psalm 97 for Christmas
Learn MorePsalms for Worship—Psalm 96 for Christmas
Learn MorePsalms for Worship—Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19 for the 4th Sunday of Advent: A Journey for Love
Learn MorePsalms for Worship—Psalm 146:5–10 and Luke 1:46b–55 for the Third Sunday in Advent: A Journey with Joy
Learn MorePsalms for Worship—Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 for the Second Sunday in Advent: A Journey to Peace
Learn MoreA Family Funeral Service: Remembering the Life and Celebrating the Victory over Death of a Family Member
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