Event Information:

• Sun

  24

  Dec

  2017

  Fourth Sunday of Advent / Christmas Eve

  10 a.m. – Holy Eucharist (Nave)
  Only One Morning Service

  2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 God’s promise to David
  Romans 16:25-27 The mystery revealed in Jesus Christ
  Luke 1:26-38 The angel appears to Mary
  Psalmody: Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Your love, O Lord, forever will I sing. (Ps. 89:1)
  Hymn of the Day: Hymn 258, Unexpected and Mysterious, st helena

  This Sunday, we light all four candles of the Advent wreath, and we read the story from Luke about the angel Gabriel coming to Mary. Christians believe that in baptism we too are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit so that Christ will dwell in us. Despite what the shopping malls suggest to us, Christmas is not yet here: we still anticipate what Romans calls “the revelation of the mystery.”

   

  Christmas Eve

  4 p.m. – Holy Eucharist (Nave)
  (includes a special Children’s Message)

  10:30 p.m. – Musical Prelude with Trinity Choir

  11 p.m. – Holy Eucharist (Nave)

  Isaiah 9:2-7 A child is born for us
  Titus 2:11-14 The grace of God has appeared
  Luke 2:1-14 God with us
  Psalmody: Psalm 96 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad
  Hymn of the Day: Hymn 279, O Little Town of Bethlehem, st louis

  On Christmas Eve we celebrate God being born on earth as a poor Jewish child, whom we call Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The darkness of the night recalls Calvary, and the candles we light anticipate the candles of Easter, for this infant was born to die and rise for us. With the angels we sing, “Glory to God!”