O Christmas Tree

On Christmas Eve, the lights in our sanctuary sparkle brightly. The wreaths hang in the windows, the fully lit Advent wreath shines forth a warm light, the congregation holds flickering candles (of both flame and LEDs), and the tree twinkles with lights, ornaments, and strands of beads.

If you are in the sanctuary this Christmas season, or watch the service online, you might not notice how large the tree actually is. This year’s tree is over nine feet tall and over four feet wide. It takes more than two hundred feet of lights, fifty feet of beads, and dozens of ornaments to decorate it.

Each year the tree mirrors our preparations during Advent. It arrives in time for the first Sunday of Advent but it is bare. For the second Sunday of Advent it has been lit up, prepared at a basic level but not fully decked out. That’s for the third Sunday of Advent, Lessons and Carols, where the tree is fully decorated.

In the same way you can be part of Christmas. Even if you wear street clothes and only show up, your presence enhances the service. Perhaps you want to dress up, but be part of the congregation; that’s great too! Once you feel comfortable, you might want to participate in the service as an usher, worship assistant, reader, or musician.

Whatever stage you find yourself at today, we hope to see you at a service.