The Nativity of the Lord Christmas Midnight Mass
Key Phrases
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light
For a child is born to us, a son is given us.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Tell his glory among the nations.
The grace of God has appeared, saving all.
Do not be afraid.
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Possible Themes
Abundant Joy
Glory to God in the Highest
Go, Tell It On The Mountain!
Jesus, the Grace of God.
Move Towards the Light!
What's In A Name?
Illustrations
J.S. Bach said, "All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul's refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hub-bub."
He headed his compositions: "J.J." "Jesus Juva" which means
"Jesus help me."
He ended them "S.D.G." "Soli Dei gratia" which means "To God
alone the praise."
Kingdom Conflict, J. Stowell, Victor, 1985, p. 77ff.
Recovery of Christmas' Meaning
In New York's Hayden Planetarium a special Christmas holiday show was
enhanced by an added feature. A giant lollipop tree was projected onto
the planetarium dome, surrounded by a horizon filled with brilliantly
colored toys which came to life and cavorted to the tune of "Jingle
Bells." At the climax a huge figure of Santa Claus faded out in a
snow storm, and the star of Bethlehem broke through into a sky that
produced exactly the Palestine sky on the night of the nativity. The
designer of this show may not realize that he dramatically staged the
supreme Christmas message our world needs to understand: The recovery of
the lost meaning of Christmas. This is not said in any criticism of
Santa Claus; the effect must have delighted the hearts of all the
children who saw it, without doing violence to their love of Bethlehem.
But for adults it is a tragic loss to substitute "Jingle
Bells" for "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing," and a lollipop
tree for the manger of Bethlehem. The instinct is right to fade out
these things in the light of the Christmas star. It is about God's
incarnation that the angels sing--God with us.
Robert E. Luccock in James W. Cox, The Minister's
Manual: 1994, San Fransico: Harper Collins, 1993, p. 218.