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Bethel Presbyterian Church
Hanging of the Greens
December 4, 2005
CALL TO WORSHIP
Behold! God is good, and has set a star in the heavens to guide us to the truth.
We follow it with joy, knowing that God will give us strength to climb the hills, and sight to conquer the darkness.
Behold! God is good, and has promised us a Savior to lead us to righteousness.
We await the Savior’s coming with gladness and with expectation that in the holy birth our lives may be renewed.
HYMN # 40 “Joy to the World” verses 1 and 2
SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 9:2-7
Tonight, we gather here at Bethel to begin our Advent preparations and focus, once again, on our Advent traditions. Tonight, we will all travel together and imagine the world in a different way. We will learn and explore the traditions of Christmas from countries around the world. Some of these traditions may be quite familiar based on your own heritage and things passed down, others may be new. Presbyterian poet Ann Weems suggests that unpacking and once again, arranging the symbols of the season, can be a time to remember and reflect on the people and events that give meaning to our family, our community and our faith at this time.
(The Candle) Our journey takes us first to Ireland - the European motherland of so many of our American traditions and customs - Author Herbert Werneke states “The Irish place lighted candles in their windows on Christmas Eve, as a guide and invitation to all, who, like Mary and Joseph may be looking for shelter. Wanderers are given a good meal and lodging and sent on their way in the morning, with a few coins in their pockets.” This year, the ranks of the homeless will continue to mount due to the devastation of storms, war, and political unrest on every continent; a decline in medical pay for the poor, increased fuel prices, job loss, and being forced to live on the edge. Some of these “victims of the times...” will be family, others friends and neighbors, some will be strangers, and some will be perceived as enemies. As we light the candles in our windows tonight, let us remember the homeless and the wanderers. Give thanks to and for the caring volunteers of every faith or no faith who have worked tirelessly to relieve a little of the burden and to set things right.
Be the light in the window for us. Tonight, and in all the wanderings of our lives, be that light in the window we know, as Christians, is always there. Be the light so that we, in turn, may be a light for the lost and the wanderers. Help us to guide them to the light of the world.
(Candles placed in windows during hymn)
HYMN # 11 “Oh Lord, How Shall I meet You?”
SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 25:1-13
(The Wreath) The wreath, a circle of greenery, has long been a tradition in many countries throughout the world. When a wreath is hung vertically on a wall, window, or door, it symbolizes God’s infinite love. Placed, or mounted, on a flat surface, and outfitted with four colored candles, we immediately recognize it as an Advent wreath. The evergreen boughs symbolize the eternal life our Savior won for us. A candle is lighted each of the four Sundays of Advent, challenging all worshipers to use this Advent Season to prepare spiritually for the coming of the Messiah. The white center candle is the Christ Candle, and is lighted on Christmas Eve. Here at church, we symbolically “prepare” by burning an extra candle each week; how will you, as an individual, prepare your spirit for this wonderful Advent season?
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
Let the wreaths remind us of God’s love for all people and the promise of our Lord’s return.
(Wreaths hung during hymn)
HYMN # 15 “Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers”
SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 11:1-9
(Poinsettias) It is a long journey to Taiwan. Considering the distance, and the familiar supposed “differences” between East and West, we almost expect some unusual traditions. However, Presbyterians have had a long relationship with the people of the island. A “Presbyterian Survey” report as far back as 1956 reported the use of familiar Western symbols and celebrations during the Advent and Christmas season. Music is the center of most celebrations with productions of “The Messiah” as well as other cantatas and oratorio. Elaborate dramatic performances of The Nativity are staged throughout the island. The poinsettia or the “Christmas Flower” grows freely in Taiwan, blooming from November until March. The beautiful red flowers have adorned our sanctuary as far back as memory allows. The red of the flower symbolizes the blood of suffering and sacrifice, borne first by the Lord Jesus Christ himself, and later, of those who trust in the Lord. Where, in our lives, is God calling us to suffer for Christ, during this holiday season and beyond?
Let the poinsettias remind us of the Christians in Taiwan, and of the suffering Christians are called to bear, for Christ and his church.
(Poinsettias placed during hymn)
HYMN # 12 “People, Look East”
SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 2:1-6
(The Star) Perhaps it was from the explosion of a star that God created earth and our solar system. It is a star that gives us warmth and light during the day, and the reflection of that star off of our moon that gives light to guide us at night. Mariners use the stars to guide their course, and, once Wisemen let the stars guide their course….straight to the newly born Messiah. We Christians still follow the Star of Bethlehem to find our Lord and King. In the Ukraine, carolers are led by someone bearing a star on a pole. This year, Bethel’s caroling procession will be headed by a “star bearer” to remember the people of the Ukraine, and to remind our homebound…..the star of Bethlehem is above us all, and “brings tidings of great joy...”
As the star poles are added this year, let each of us along with our faith family in the Ukraine, realize our calling to go before the Christ, lighting the way for others to follow.
HYMN # 4 “Creator of the Stars of Night”
SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 35:1-7
(The Christmas Tree) Excitement mounts as we travel to Germany. So many of us in the congregation can trace our roots right back to Germany. There we will find a host of familiar traditions and symbols. Herbert Werneke says the Germans really know how to celebrate the joy of the season. They place a strong emphasis on gift giving. Especially hand crafted items such as hand sewn or appliquéd items, homemade toys and cookie cutter cookies. Germany is a land of trees and forests. So it should be of no surprise to find the Christmas tree in the central location of the house. Tradition says that German theologian Martin Luther was the first to put candles on his tree to imitate the starry night the Wisemen were guided to Bethlehem and the King.
Let the trees of Germany remind us of the tree on which Jesus died to save us.
(Place ornaments on tree during hymn)
HYMN # 9 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION “The World Still Knows” Ann Weems
The night is still dark and a procession of Herods still terrorizes the earth, killing the children to stay in power. The world still knows its Herods, but it also still knows men and women who pack their dreams safely in their hearts and set off towards Bethlehem, faithful against all odds, undeterred by fatigue or rejection, to kneel to a child.
And the world still knows those persons wise enough to follow a star, those who do not consider themselves too intelligent, too powerful, too wealthy, to kneel to a child
And the world still knows those hearts so humble that they’re ready to hear a word of a song and to leave what they have to go kneel to a child.
The night is still dark, but by the light of the star, even today we can still see to kneel to a child.
(The Key) Next, we find ourselves suddenly in New Guinea. A New Guinea Christian described Advent like this, “At Advent we should try the key to our heart’s door. It may have gathered rust. If so, this is the time to oil it, in order that the heart’s door may open more easily when the Lord Jesus wants to enter at Christmas time.” That is certainly something to ponder!
Let the celebrations of the Christians in New Guinea and throughout the world teach us new ways to approach this holy season and spark our spirit to new heights with new traditions to honor our lord.
Please take a key as they are passed, to remind you of our brothers and sisters in New Guinea, and to remind us to check the key to our own heart’s door.
SOLO “Some People See Him” Rachel Dailey
(The Touch) A visit to Iraq finds us experiencing a ritual kept alive by the Christian minority there. It is described by Herbert Werneke here... “On Christmas Day, a fire is lighted in the church while the congregation chants a hymn. Then follows a procession in which the Bishop carries an image of the Infant Jesus on a scarlet cushion. The service ends as the Bishop reaches out and touches one member of the congregation. This person in turn touches another worshipper, and this continues until all have received the Touch of Peace.”
Quietly, reverently pass the peace in this hour of anticipation and, as Reverend Sherrod leaves, please leave the church in silence.
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