Category: Devotion

Night of Worship Outline based on Ephesians 3:14-21

Opening Worship Set and Prayer

  • Song
  • Song
  • Prayer – Inviting the presence of the Holy Spirit to lead us as we worship together 

Empowering Section (When we pray, God empowers us through His Holy Spirit)

  • Song – Holy Spirit, You Are Welcome Here  
  • Scripture and Sharing – “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.” (Ephesians 3:14-16)
  • Prayer – Asking God to continue empowering us through His Holy Spirit

Understanding Section (When we pray, God gives us glimpses of His infinite love)

  • Song – How He Loves, Reckless Love, Goodness of God
  • Scripture – “Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.” (Ephesians 3:17-18)
  • Prayer – Asking God to help us understand His love for us and for the world.

Experiencing Section (When we pray, we experience the love of Jesus and the power of God in our lives)

  • Song – Same God
    • Scripture – “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God”. (Ephesians 3:19)
  • Prayer – Asking God to allow us to experience His love and power.

Accomplishing Section (When we pray, God allows us to see Him accomplish more than we can ever imagine)

  • Song – I Speak Jesus
  • Scripture – “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
  • Prayer – Asking God to continue to accomplish more than we can ask or think in our lives, our families, our church, and our country. 

Closing – Encourage the people to keep on praying because God can do miracles. 

Upbeat Closing Song

*Photo courtesy of Ben White

by Categories: Church and Christian Life, Creativity, Devotion, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , Leave a comment

Good Friday Service Outline – The Seven Last Words of Christ

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST – 2024 GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE OUTLINE

OPENING

  • Welcome
  • Suggested Song – “The Lion and the Lamb”
  • Suggested Song – “Hallelujah For the Cross”
  • Communion
  • Song (Repeated or new)

Offering and Transition

  • Offering Intro and Prayer
  • “This is the Cross” video from Hyper Pixels Media available at this link

Transition into the Seven Last Words of Christ

INTRO: Tonight, we remember the cross. In John 3:16, when Jesus said those words, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” He knew the price He was going to pay in order to fulfill that scripture. So tonight, before we rush into the celebration of the resurrection part of Easter, we need to remember what Christ did for us on the cross. Until we understand the significance of Good Friday, we can’t fully appreciate Easter Sunday. So tonight, we’re going to remember the final words Jesus spoke before His death so we can gain that full appreciation. You can follow along with us in your special insert in your worship guide. 

FIRST WORD – FORGIVENESS

  • Spoken – We read in Luke 23 that the Roman soldiers took Jesus to Calvary, the place of the skull, and there they nailed Him to a cross and lifted Him up for all to see. These were strong men performing their duty, but I’m sure they weren’t concerned with being respectful to Jesus, the Son of God. But Jesus’ reaction to the soldiers was the first of His seven last words. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) 
  • Prayer Activity – Jesus offered forgiveness to the very soldiers who took His life. Through His death, He offers forgiveness to us as well if we will repent of our sins. The Apostle John writes, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Take a moment and ask the Lord to remind you of sins of which you need to ask Him for forgiveness. Once they come to mind, pray and ask His forgiveness. (Give them a moment to pray, then lead them in prayer of forgiveness).

SECOND WORD – SALVATION

  • Spoken – Jesus was crucified between two thieves. One of them scoffed at Jesus, saying “So You’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving Yourself – and us, too, while You’re at it. But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom.”
  • Spoken – Then Jesus said the second of His seven last words. To the repentant thief, He said, “I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
  • PRAYER ACTIVITY – Many of us rejoice when we think about how Jesus can give us access to Heaven. However, many of us also think about those people we know who we long to be in Heaven with us. Take a few seconds and think about those people you want to see in Heaven. (Give them a moment to do so)
  • In your worship guide (or on a piece of paper), write the names of those you know who you desire to see in Heaven. (Give them a moment to do so) Now, pray for each of them. (Give them time to pray then lead in prayer, asking the Lord to draw these people to Himself so they can be with us and Him in Heaven.)

THIRD WORD – RELATIONSHIP

  • Spoken – Even as Jesus was suffering on the cross, He was concerned for the needs of others. He forgave the soldiers, offered salvation to one of the thieves, but then, He saw His mother standing beside the disciple John. He had compassion for her. 
  • Action/Spoken – The third of Jesus’ seven last words was spoken to His mother Mary and to His disciple John. To Mary, Jesus said, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And to John He said, “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26-27)
  • Action/Spoken – The Bible tells us that “From then on this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:27). Apparently, a cherished bond developed between Mary and John, in a similar way as if John had been her son. Just as Jesus showed love for His mother and His friend, He also shows love for us by helping us establish lifelong relationships with those who will help us through this life. Take a moment and thank the Lord for the cherished friends and family He has surrounded you with. You can write their names in your insert.
  • (After a moment, lead the people in prayer, thanking God for our family/friends/church)

FOURTH WORD – DISTRESS

  • Spoken – The fourth of Jesus’ seven last words reminds us of His humanity. We read in John 19:28 – Jesus knew that His mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture, He said, “I am thirsty.” 
  • Action/Spoken – Jesus truly suffered during the crucifixion. He was thirsty. He felt every lash, every thorn, and every nail. He endured it all because of our sin. An older Christian song asked the question, “Does He still feel the nails every time I fail? Can He hear the crowd cry “crucify” again. Am I causing Him pain? Then I know I’ve got to change. I just can’t stand the thought of hurting Him.” 
  • Jesus went through physical distress because of our sin. Romans 5:8 says, But God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He shed His blood for You and for me. Let’s stand together. Remember this and thank Him as we sing.

SUGGESTED SONG – Thank You, Jesus, for the Blood Applied

FIFTH WORD – ABANDONMENT

  • (Direct everyone to be seated)
  • Spoken – The fifth of the seven last words of Christ is Abandonment. In the Gospel of Mark, we read At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then… Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:33-34). Many of us at one time or another may have felt abandoned in one way or another. We may have felt forsaken. We may have felt like crying out to the Lord using those words of Jesus. 
  • Engagement 
    • If you would say that phrase of Jesus with me starting with “My God, My God” Say – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” 
    • Say it again – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” 
    • Say it one more time – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” 
  • Action/Spoken – Saying those words out loud helps us realize the abandonment Jesus must have felt when he was temporarily separated from His Father. Imagine Him crying out to God the Father from the cross. He must have felt so alone when “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
  • PRAYER – (Lead the people in a pastoral prayer, emphasizing our thankfulness to Jesus for the abandonment He must have endured while on the cross.)

SIXTH WORD – TRIUMPH

Object Needed – Slightly torn swatch of material representing the Temple curtain before the Holy of Holies

  • Spoken – The sixth of the seven last words Jesus spoke before His death was “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Even though it is a sad moment because Jesus is about to die. A word that is synonymous with this phrase, in Jesus’ case, is Triumph. 
  • Action/Spoken (Pick up the material). This swatch of curtain material is symbolic of the curtain in the temple in Jesus’ day. It separated the people from the Holy of holies. Matthew 27:51 reports that when Jesus breathed His last, “the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” (Tear the material into two pieces) This symbolized the division between God and humanity being removed, signifying the completion of Jesus’ redemptive work and the direct access to God made possible through His sacrifice. 
  • Prayer – Take a moment to thank Jesus for finishing His redemptive work for us on the cross. Surrender Yourself to live in obedience to His will. (Allow them to pray silently for a moment, then lead them in prayer)

SEVENTH WORD – RELEASE

  • Spoken – Finally, Jesus said, “Into Your hands I commend my Spirit.” It is a bittersweet moment because, although it was sad because of His death, it was also said in anticipation of His Reunion with His heavenly Father. (Luke 23:46)  
  • PRAYER ACTIVITY – Jesus released His Spirit to His Heavenly Father. This is a good example for us all. We all have things we’re holding back from the Lord, things we should be releasing to Him today. Right where you are, bow your heads and ask the Lord, “Who or what do I need to release to You today? Then, pray and ask God to help you release those people or items to Him.” (Give them a moment to do this)
  • Now, in your worship guide is a separate blank sheet of paper. On it, go ahead and write out the people or things you need to release to the Lord today. As you finish, bring them to the foot of the cross, symbolizing that you are surrendering them to Him on this Good Friday. 
  • Action – (Give time for people to do this. The way it is done at each campus will need to be determined because of traffic flow and space. 
  • (Prayer of Thanksgiving transitioning to a Salvation and Rededication DECISION prayer) – (AFTER everyone has brought up their items, say a Pastor led Prayer thanking God for receiving all of these items we’ve released to Him and asking Him to help us remember as well. THEN transition into a decision time focusing on Salvation and Rededication in your own words)

CULMINATION 

  • Spoken – Jesus commending His spirit was the sweet part, but Him breathing His last was the bitter part, especially for those around Him. We look at what He went through and remember the rest of the story, but those who were with Him at the time could only understand that Jesus was dead. Their Lord, their Messiah, had departed this life. We’ve remembered the seven last words of Christ tonight. Now, let’s remember what happened next as we sing. 

Celebration Song – O Praise The Name or Forever

CLOSING 

  • Communication Cards/Giveaways
  • Share remaining Easter Service times/Challenge people to bring others

Production Notes 

  • This service was created for the 2024 Good Friday Services at Celebration Church in New Orleans. Please forgive any church specific references you might see.
  • We created an insert using the image at the top of this blog post as the entire inside of our worship guide. Kudos of Brenda Miranda from our staff for the drawing and for our marketing/communications department for working it into the service materials.
  • We used a piece of purple material to represent the curtain in the temple that was torn in two during the Sixth Word.
  • We also added a small piece of blank paper (1/4 sheet) for the exercise during the Seventh Word
  • A cross at the front is best. If a large cross is not available, a smaller version is sufficient.
  • Have a keyboardist or guitarist play behind the presentations for effect.
by Categories: Church and Christian Life, Creativity, Devotion, Response, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , Leave a comment

St. Patrick’s Story

On March 25, 433, St. Patrick stepped onto the shores of Slane, Ireland and immediately gave a speech, which went something like this:

“Good people of the Emerald Isle! Henceforth on March 17th, or upon the weekend closest to that date, the rivers of at least one major city should be dyed green in my honor. People without the knowledge that the 3 leafed shamrock represents the Holy Trinity should wear them proudly, along with shiny green top hats. Many people will skip church in order to attend parades where green beads and cabbages will be thrown to the massive crowds who have gathered to celebrate the anniversary of my death. And children not wearing green shall be pinched unmercilessly. Ok, that’s it. Where’s the Guinness? Let’s all get sloshed!”

Ok, so it didn’t happen quite like that. 

When St. Patrick was simply Patrick, he grew up in Banna Venta Berniae, which was in the west of Britain in present day Wales. While Romanized, his family was most likely Welsh. Sixteen year old Patrick was sixteen when he was kidnapped by pirates. He was taken to Ireland and sold into slavery in Ireland where he was forced to serve as a shepherd and caretaker of animals. During his six years of captivity, he gave his life to Jesus. He also learned the Gaelic language of the people and the customs of Ireland.

Years later, he escaped and returned to his family in England, where he began preparing for the priesthood. In Confessio, Patrick’s autobiography, he writes about a dream in which he heard the collective voice of the Irish people compelling him, “We beg you, holy boy, to come and walk among us again.” So, much to the chagrin of his parents, Patrick returned to Ireland in 433 and set about sharing the gospel with everyone he met. Legend has it that Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity to the local people, who had previously worshiped multiple gods.

Before Easter Sunday 433, the local Irish king, Logaire, issued a decree that no one may light any flame until the fires of a pagan spring festival were lit. Patrick, refusing to honor anyone but Jesus, lit the Easter candles anyway on the Hill of Slane. When the king heard about the devotion Patrick held to God, he was so impressed that he allowed him to continue his missionary work. 

St. Patrick lived the life of a missionary and converted thousands, planting churches across the entire island and training priests and overseers to lead them. Even though he was very well known, he lived most of his life in poverty, passing away on March 17, 461.

  • 300 years after St. Patrick’s death, Dallan Forgaill, an 8th century monk and poet, wrote the Gaelic poem “Rop tu mo Baile” honoring his devotion and unwavering commitment to God. 
  • In 1905, 1200 after it was penned, Mary E. Byrne, a university student, found a copy of the poem and translated it into English. 
  • In 1912, Eleanor Hull, an Irish woman, set the words of the translated poem to music. She chose the Irish tune SLANE because it was composed in honor of St. Patrick.
  • In 1919, the song was introduced to the world in its first hymnal and gained instant popularity. 
  • In 2019, hymnologists celebrated the 100th anniversary of the modern version of the hymn now known as Be Thou My Vision. 
  • This morning, I listened to a recorded version of the song and thanked the Lord for the devotion of St. Patrick.  Click here to check out this version by Shane and Shane.

May we all seek to obtain such a dynamic faith and undying devotion to the Lord as was displayed by St. Patrick. 
*Image courtesy of Timothy Dykes

by Categories: Devotion, Difference Makers, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Night of Worship based on the ACTS Acrostic

The following outline was arranged for the church where I serve. It is based on the ACTS acrostic (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication) and the worship practices of King David. Please use creativity and flexibility as you plan out your transitions between songs, scriptures, and corporate prayer. I pray it will bless you as it has me.

Opening Worship Song suggestions

Adoration Section

  • Ancient Prayer of David – “O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may You be praised forever and ever! Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on the earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the One who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from You alone, for You rule over everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and at Your discretion people are made great and given strength.” 1 Chronicles 29:10-12
  • Scriptural Background/Devotional Thought – King David prayed these words in front of the entire assembly as the Israelis received offerings from the people in preparation so David’s son Solomon would have the resources to build a temple for the Lord. As we prepare to enter a time of prayer and fasting, we need to spend time praising and adoring the Lord. 
  • Prayer Activity – Get into groups and everyone shares one or two attributes of God with others in the group. Then, pray as a group, praising God for who He is.
  • Worship Song Suggestions – The Goodness of God, Been So Good

Confession Section

  • Confessional Prayer of David – “Have mercy on me, O God, because of Your unfailing love. Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against You, and You alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in Your sight. You will be proved right in what You say, and Your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner-yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; You have broken me-now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence, and don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You.” Psalm 51:1-12
  • Scripture Background/Devotional Thought – Psalm 51 is the confessional prayer of King David. He is filled with guilt and shame over his indiscretions with Bathsheba and planning the demise of her husband Uriah the Hittite. Sometimes, even someone considered to be “a man after God’s own heart” can be guilty of crimes. In truth, we have all sinned in one way or another. Isaiah 53:6 says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all.” When we realize our sin, we should, like David, confess our sin to the Lord. We have the promise of His forgiveness in 1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
  • Creative Element/Prayer Activity – Pray individually for the Lord to show you ways you have failed the Lord, then write out all that come to mind on one piece of paper. Then, confess what you’ve written to the Lord.
  • Worship Song Suggestions – Lord, I Need You, Run to the Father

Thanksgiving Section

  • David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving – Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord the gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100:1-5
  • Scriptural Background/Devotional Thought – The temple was a special house for the praise and worship of God in Jerusalem. There was a wall all the way around it. As King David wrote this, especially in verse 4, he was instructing people to literally give thanks to the Lord as they walked through the actual gates in the wall. He is telling them that when they come to the temple, they need to be about telling God how great He truly is. 
  • Creative Element/Prayer Activity – Pull out the paper with items you’ve confessed to the Lord. Thank the Lord for forgiving you of each item, then tear up the paper and dispose of them in trash receptacles at the front of the worship center. Pray and thank God for His forgiveness. 
  • Worship Song suggestions – Gratitude, I Thank God

Supplication Section

  • Ancient Prayer of David – “Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need Your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to You. Save me, for I serve You and trust You. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on You constantly. Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to You. O Lord, You are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for Your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to You whenever I’m in trouble, and You will answer me. No pagan god is like You, O Lord. None can do what You do! All the nations You made will come and bow before You, Lord; they will praise Your holy name. For You are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God.” Psalm 86:1-10
  • Scriptural Background/Devotional Thought – It’s hard to place the timing of this Psalm, but it is obvious that David is requesting help from the Lord. It should be noted that at least seven times throughout the chapter, David refers to God as “Adonai” which means “Master.” This shows his submission to the Lord, but also shows his dependence on the Lord. This must have been at the forefront of his thoughts as he made his requests to God. “Supplication” is the word we use for asking God in a humble and earnest manner. This comes best after we’ve acknowledged who He is, confessed our sins, and thanked Him for all He has done.  
  • Worship Song Suggestions – Battle Belongs, More than Able, 

Prayer Activity – Go back to your prayer groups you were in at the beginning. Share prayer requests of which you intend to lift up to the Lord during our time of prayer and fasting. Then, pray with your group until everyone has shared and every request has been prayed for. Music will play during this prayer time and will continue until everyone has finished. Allow this to be the end of the night of worship. 

*Song selections may vary as the original songs were chosen in January 2024. Photo courtesy of JoJo

by Categories: Church and Christian Life, Devotion, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

10 Things I Want To Do More Of This Year

Caring – “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.” – The Lorax

Talking – “Our generation has lost the value of romance, the value of trust, the value of conversation. Sadly, small talk is the new deep.” – Anonymous

Traveling – “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

Reading – “There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” – Walt Disney

Praying – “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” – Martin Luther

Studying – “Never regard study as a duty, but as the enviable opportunity to learn.” – Albert Einstein

Resting – “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Jesus

Loving – “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” – Mother Theresa

Serving – “Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” – Martin Luther King.

Working – “There is no substitute for hard work.” – Thomas A. Edison

*Image courtesy of Kelly Sikkema

by Categories: Church and Christian Life, Devotion, UncategorizedTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The Ancient Christmas Eve Carol

The original author of O Come, O Come Emmanuel is unknown, but it was most likely an 8th or 9th century monk or nun. Roughly 1000 years later, an Anglican priest named John Mason Neale discovered the song while reading Psalterium Cationum Catholicorum, an ancient book of Latin poetry and music. 

Neale lived in the Madeira Islands near the continent of Africa, where he had started an orphanage, a school for girls, and a ministry to reclaim prostitutes. He spoke many languages, including Latin, and was able to translate O Come, O Come Emmanuel into English. He first played and sang it for the people he served, who were considered the lowest of society. It was so well received that Neale included the song in his 1851 collection titled Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences.

The song is written as if you are in the first century and you are awaiting the actual birth of the Messiah. An anticipation is there for what Jesus would bring. The original Latin text contains seven antiphons (verses) which work together to help the reader or singer focus on the coming Christmas. Most modern versions do not include all seven and rarely in the same order as the original. Here are those verses in order and their related meanings:

  • O Sapentia (Wisdom)
  • O Adonai (Hebrew for God)
  • O Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse) 
  • O Clavis David (Key of David)
  • O Oriens (Dayspring)
  • O Rex genitium (King of the Gentiles)
  • O Emmanuel (God with Us)

You can see from the order above that the 8th and 9th century Christians who declared these verses sang them in the opposite order than most people today. Back then, they wouldn’t sing the “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” verse until Christmas Eve. They did this because it was the fulfillment of the song and of the expectation of the Messiah. 

The original Latin text creates a reverse acrostic which is not fulfilled or seen until the last verse is sung. When the ancient worshipers finally sang this verse on Christmas Eve, the reverse acrostic was solved for all the see. The message it proclaimed was “I shall be with you tomorrow.”

Click Here to Hear “O Come, O Come Emmanuel sung by Maverick City

*Image courtesy of Kelly Sekkema

**This is a repost from Dec 13, 2022 by request

by Categories: Christmas, Church and Christian Life, Creativity, Devotion, Review, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

Christmas Candles

As Christmas approaches, churches often plan services where congregations of all sizes and all ages hold lighted candles and pass the flame to others as they sing carols. While this practice brings concern to fire marshals, church facilities personnel, and parents of small participating children, it can also be extremely meaningful. 

But I sometimes wonder why. What is the significance of candles at Christmas? 

Although candles were often used in ancient winter solstice celebrations as a way of remembering that spring would soon come, Christians most likely picked up the practice of using candles from Judaism where candles were used in ancient services for various purposes. As unspiritual as it may sound, candles were probably first used as a source of illumination (not the spiritual kind). 

At some point, in early Christian worship, someone realized the light of the candle could easily symbolize Jesus who once said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12)

Over the years, people began to associate candlelight with various spiritual practices. In Orthodox traditions, members were encouraged to place small votive candles in small sandboxes which symbolized a spirit of prayer within the church. To Catholic and Protestant clergy alike, candlelight often represented the power and the presence of God, akin to the pillar of fire that led the Israelites in Exodus. To others, candles represented their prayers being lifted to the Lord, symbolizing their lives as offerings to Him, being slowly consumed in their Christian service. And at Christmas in the Middle Ages, a large lit candle was used to represent the star of Bethlehem. 

It can be a moving experience to be a part of a service when the lights are lowered, a carol is sung, and the candle flame is passed from believer to believer. It is certainly visually stimulating to see a worship center filled with countless numbers of candles, filling the darkness with light. If that light carries meaning, it can be an even greater experience (especially if you can keep from dripping burning wax on your hands)

Merry Christmas.

*Image courtesy of Zoran Kokanovic

by Categories: Christmas, Church and Christian Life, Devotion, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Not By Bread Alone

In recent years, I’ve written about Christmas services, traditions, and worship practices. I’ve shared the origins of Christmas carols and posted pictures from family and church celebrations. I’ve never even written a short note about white bread. 

Until now. 

In 1942, Ellen Barbara Segner created Little Miss Sunbeam for the Quality Bakers of America. The character was based on a young girl Segner observed playing in New York’s Washington Square Park. Over the years, she produced over 30 oil paintings of Little Miss Sunbeam for the company in its marketing

For well over 60 years, the Quality Bakers of America has changed its bread packaging just after Thanksgiving to add an image of Little Miss Sunbeam bowing her head in prayer. Next to her, the phrase “Not by bread alone” is written. This is a portion of a quote from Jesus who, in Matthew 4:4, said “It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God.” This packaging usually remains until early in the new year.

The Quality Bakers of America’s blog states that the annual temporary change in marketing “serves as a gentle nudge to look beyond the material aspects of life. It encourages consumers to reflect on the spiritual nourishment that goes hand in hand with the festive season.”

I don’t know anything about the Quality Bakers of America. Their executives and employees may simply be continuing the packaging for tradition’s sake or as a marketing technique. Regardless, the image and message has reminded millions at Christmas time that people need more than the meeting of physical needs to truly live. 

We need the “bread of life.”

We need Jesus.

*Image courtesy of the Quality Bakers of America

**Special thanks to my friend Dr. Shantrell Byrd

by Categories: Christmas, Church and Christian Life, Creativity, Devotion, Food, WorshipTags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Who is the Center of Your Nativity Scene?

A few years ago, my wife invited a mom and her preschool daughter to our home to help decorate for Christmas. She asked the young girl if she would place the Nativity scene figures in a small stable that was sitting on an end table near our sofa. The little girl smiled upon hearing the opportunity. She looked carefully at each piece before placing the Baby Jesus figure, who was of course lying in a manger, in the center of the stable. Then, she slowly placed Mary and Joseph, the animals, the shepherds, the wise men, and finally, the angel.

Sounds pretty normal, right? Most people would probably use the same process.

Except… 

Instead of facing the figures outward, this young girl placed them facing the center of the stable.

I remember thinking, “What has she done? These characters aren’t facing the people who will be looking at the nativity scene. They look like they’re just focused on Jesus.”

Then, I realized that she had it right. Jesus is the center of the story. It’s all about Him. Why would the figures look at anything or anyone else but Him? 

That’s a good life lesson for us all as well. This year, let’s fix our eyes on Jesus. Let’s make Christmas all about Him.

by Categories: Christmas, Church and Christian Life, Creativity, Devotion, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Is Christmas Really the Birthday of Jesus?

I hear the question every December: “Is Christmas Really Jesus’ Birthday?”

In short, yes and no. 

The argument, as I see it, is less about Christmas and more about December 25th. 

Many people believe that Christmas is actually based on Saturnalia, a pagan festival for Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture and time. This festival began as a single day held on December 17 yet by the first century before Christ, it had expanded to a seven day festival. Saturnalia was a holiday for everyone, even the enslaved. Homes were decorated with wreaths and greenery. Saturnalia led to another Roman holiday connected to the winter solstice which recognized the birthday of the Roman sun god Sol Invictus.

On the other hand, some theologians believe that the Annunciation (when the angel Gabriel shared with Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God) took place on March 25. Therefore, since the average term of a human pregnancy is 9 months, the due date for the Messiah must have been December 25. 

The Roman Emperor Constantine was raised in the cult of the Unconquered Sun God and most likely celebrated Saturnalia and worshiped Sol Invictus. However, Constantine converted to Christianity in 312. Shortly after, he declared it the official religion of the Roman empire. He made a conscious effort in turning the culture of his day away from paganism and toward Christ. Because of his influence, western Christians began celebrating Christmas (Christ Mass) on December 25 in 336. Constantine’s efforts were continued by Pope Julius 1st, who declared in 385 that Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, would be observed on December 25. 

So, when was Jesus born? Lee Strobel, author of The Case For Christmas, states that it must have been in the spring because shepherds were watching their flocks by night, which they would have done in the spring when ewes bore their young. 

That makes sense to me. 

But does it really matter? 

Several years ago, my wife wished our niece a happy birthday on her actual birthday. “Thank you,” she replied, “But my mom changed my birthday this year so tell me again this coming Saturday.” Her mother didn’t really change her birthday, just the time of the celebration of her birthday. But we still had cake and presents and sang “Happy Birthday” to her on the day of celebration.

Point being, the date didn’t change the importance of our niece’s birthday. In a similar way, we celebrate the birth of Jesus on the 25th of December, knowing full well He could have just as well been in March, April, or August. Celebrating the birth of Jesus is what’s important, not the date. 

But what about those practices that came along with Saturnalia? Are we somehow worshiping the sun god as we hang our wreaths, drape our garland, go caroling in our neighborhoods, and exchange gifts? 

I believe the answer lies in intentions.

It’s doubtful, at least to me, that the ancient Roman Christians were trying to trick us all into worshiping the sun. They were most likely seeking an alternative to Saturnalia and wanted to focus on Jesus instead of the pagan god, so they began celebrating Christmas instead. Overtime, the intent of Saturnalia was overtaken by the celebration of Jesus’ birth. In a sense, this festive time of the year was redeemed by these early saints.

There are probably some people who hang their decorations and celebrate Saturnalia instead of Christmas, but that is not my intent. I imagine it’s not your intent either. 

So, Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Jesus.

*Image courtesy of Jonathan Borba

by Categories: Christmas, Church and Christian Life, Devotion, Uncategorized, WorshipTags: , , , , , , , 1 Comment