I am working on worship planning this morning and came across this beautiful liturgy from the Iona Community. It embodies for me what Christmas is about and gives words to my prayers for what might happen when we gather tomorrow evening for worship. You are welcome here on Christmas Eve. Our sanctuary will be open for prayer and meditation from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. with worship beginning at 7:00. Looking for a place to be in Washington on Christmas Eve? Come join us.
This, tonight,
is the meeting place
of heaven and earth.
For this, tonight,
is the stable
in which God keeps his appointment
to meet his people.
Not many high are here,
not many holy,
not many innocent children,
not many worldly wise,
not all familiar faces,
not all frequent visitors.
But, if tonight
only strangers met,
that would be enough.
For Bethlehem was not the hub of the universe,
nor was the stable a platform for famous people.
In an out-of-the-way place
which people never thought to visit -
there God kept and keeps his promise;
there God sends his Son.
Copyright: Cloth for the Cradle: Worship Resources and Readings for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, 1997, Iona Community, Wild Goose Worship Group.
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