Making Room Advent Sermon Series
December 24 Christmas Eve 8:00 p.m. Streaming
December 24, Making Room Series, Week 5: “Open to Occupancy” In the Christmas story we read Jesus was laid in a manger “because there was no room for them in the inn.” Making room for Jesus, we are to be open to Him occupying our hearts and lives, and in His love, making room for others as we live out our faith in Him. Christ dwells in our hearts through faith, and we live by His Spirit who lives within us. Scriptures: Luke 2:1-7; Luke 2:8-20.
Contemporary Worship 9:00 a.m.
8pm Trinity UMC Contemporary Christmas Eve Service from Trinity UMC Milford on Vimeo.
CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY WORSHIP SERVICE 2021 8:00 p.m.
Welcome
Call to Worship
Trinity Live Christmas Praise
“Born Is the King”
“Let Us Adore”
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Christmas Prayer
Christmas Song: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
Scripture Lessons: John 1:1-2, 10-14; Ephesians 3:14-19
Message: “Open for Occupancy” Kirk Peterson
The Christmas Story in Scripture and Song
Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-24
Song: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (Verse 1)
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-7
Song: “Away in a Manger” (Verse 1)
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-20
Song: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (Verse 1)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-8
Song: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (Verse 1)
Candle Lighting Introduction
*Passing of the Light
“Light of the World”
“Silent Night”
*Benediction
CHRIST CANDLE LIGHTING
Christmas Eve
“For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
Advent, the season of expectation and anticipation, is over, Christ has come! During Advent we learned about the prophecy of Christ’s birth, about Bethlehem as the place of Christ’s birth, about the shepherds receiving the announcement of Christ’s birth, and about the angels proclaiming Christ’s birth. In the Advent wreath we lit The Prophecy Candle, The Bethlehem Candle, The Shepherd’s Candle, and the Angel’s Candle. (The candles are lit.)
The need to make room for Jesus can be traced all the way back to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Eating of the fruit in disobedience to God, Adam and Eve made room for sin and the consequences of sin. We, like they, have all made room for sin. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
To make room for overcoming sin, God made a plan. God’s plan was to come to earth in human form, and through his sinless sacrifice, save people from their sins. This was the message of the prophet Isaiah: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This was the message of Micah: “But you, O Bethlehem…from you shall come forth for Me one who is to rule in Israel.” This was the message the angel proclaimed and the shepherds received: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Jesus, the Christ, left the glories of heaven to come to earth and be born for us, to be our Savior, to save us from our sins. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance; that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Let us make room for the message of Christmas deserving of our full acceptance.
Making room for Christ in us, we now light the Christ Candle. (The candle is lit.)