HANGING OF THE GREENS SERVICE
Prelude
Call to Worship (from Isaiah 2)
Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.
During this Advent season, let us learn of God’s ways and walk in God’s
paths.
Let us seek the well-being of all creation.
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*Hymn: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
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HS 220 |
*Invocation
*Response
Narration: Decorating the Sanctuary
Why do we do this? What does it mean? During the Advent season we prepare
for the One who has come, whom we expect to come, and who will come again. We
prepare our hearts and make room for the Messiah. In the hanging of the greens
we share with Christians throughout the ages the memory and anticipation of
Christ’s coming. We decorate our church with the symbols of love, joy, hope,
and peace. Why do we do this? To tell the story again and then proclaim: Jesus
is born. God is with us!
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Hymn: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
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HS 211 |
Narration: The Advent Wreath
(Place the wreath and the candles.)
This simple circle of evergreen branches testifies of the
continuation of life and life without end. The four candles encircle the
Christ candle to signify God’s Son as the light of the world. The four
candles represent the four weeks in Advent. Each Sunday we will light a candle
and on Christmas Eve the Christ candle will be lit. With increasing brightness
from the candles, we experience the Light of the world and find hope in the
coming of Jesus.
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Hymn: “Heir of All the Waiting Ages”
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HS 253 |
Narration: The Greens
(Place garlands and boughs as decoration.)
The Advent custom of decorating with evergreen branches comes to us from the
peasants of the Middle Ages who believed that preparations should be made for
the coming of Jesus. On the first Sunday of Advent, each family would gather
evergreens and place them near the hearth in their home. We continue that
tradition by hanging the greens in our congregational home, this sanctuary. The
evergreen reminds us of God’s abiding love in Jesus Christ and of our eternal
relationship with God.
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Hymn: “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”
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HS 252 |
Narration: The Wreaths
(Hang wreaths.)
Christmas greens point to deep, rich meanings of the season:
laurel and bay symbolize victory and triumph; yew and cypress stand for eternal
life; mistletoe symbolizes peace; and the prickly leaves of holly are symbols of
the crown of thorns. The circle shape of the wreaths are a Christian symbol of
the eternal God and eternal love, without beginning or end.
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Hymn: “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”
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HS 256 |
Narration: The Poinsettias
(Place poinsettias around the room for decoration.)
The poinsettia, or “Flower of the Holy Night” as the
plant is referred to in Mexico, is the most popular Advent flower. It was
discovered growing wild in Mexico and was taken to North America where it was
developed into the type of flower seen there today. The star-shaped center of
the bloom reminds us of the star that shone on that first Christmas.
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Hymn: “Silvery Star, Precious Star”
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HS 239 |
Narration: The Créche
(Place the different parts of the manger scene during the reading and
hymn.)
Possibly the best known Christmas decorating tradition is the scene of
Bethlehem, where the birth took place. There was a stable filled with animals,
shepherds, and angels. Mary and Joseph watched in wonder as visitors came
searching for their child, baby Jesus. We set this scene before us during the
Advent season as a reminder of God’s gift to us.
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Hymn: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
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HS 248 |
Narration: Emmanuel, God with Us
People say that a name is everything. Products are named to
make everyone want to try them. Books are named to entice people to read them.
A name with a good reputation communicates trustworthiness and quality. So
what is God’s child to be named?
He could have been a Moses or a David or an Isaiah. But the
name chosen was Emmanuel-God with us. It is a name that comforts in times of
need and stress, strengthens in times of challenge and decision, and
encourages in moments of weakness and doubt. God with us! Forever.
Continually. What a great name for God’s son!
Pastoral Prayer
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*Hymn: “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus”
*Postlude
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HS 201 |
