Hanging of the Greens
Hanging of the Greens
Service: Hope of the Season
Prelude
Welcome
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*Congregational Song: “Would You Bless Our Homes”
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HS 447 |
*Invocation
*Response
I. The Spirit of Hope: Lighting the Advent Candle
Reader 1:
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Each year about this time we hear people say, “I haven’t
got the Christmas spirit yet,” or “I just can’t seem to get the
Christmas spirit this year.” It takes a while—some years longer than
others. But eventually, as we hear the carols on radios and department
store intercom, and see the tinseled trees and store counters bulging with
gift suggestions, we begin to recapture the feelings of Christmases past
and the spirit returns.
As Christians we look for something more in Christmas than these
material and tangible offerings: something deeper, a touchback to the
original event—a spirit of hope from God’s own heart.
Walking on Christmas on Main Street, we miss the hope of the season—the
promise of a precious Savior who would become the Lamb of God, sent to
take away the sins of the world. This hope is the core of the Christmas
spirit for us who believe.
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Reader 2:
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It is this deeper spirit, this echo of worship from earlier
Christmases, that we seek as we hang the greens. We will welcome back some
old friends: the Advent candles, evergreen garlands, Christmas trees,
carols, and nativity scenes, and certainly the familiar Bible stories and
passages. We will introduce as new friends some white doves and white
poinsettias to symbolize the true spirit of the season.
Over generations, Christians have associated the white dove with God’s
Holy Spirit. It was by that Spirit that the Word became flesh and was born
of Mary. It was through the Spirit that our hope turned to
realization and joy. Listen again to that story. |
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26–38
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Congregational Praise Song: “Jesus, Name above All Names”
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NS 25 |
Lighting the Advent Candle of Hope
II. The Spirit of Life: Hanging the Evergreens
Reader 1:
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The evergreen garlands and wreaths are old friends at
Christmas. They bring life to our room, which calls to mind the
life God gives us through Jesus. With that life they bring beauty,
fragrance, and joy, and that truly is what Jesus brings us when we invite
him into our lives. As a reminder that life comes by the Spirit of God, we
will add white doves to our garlands this year. Hear again the words of life
now.
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Scripture Readings: John 1:1–4 and Colossians 1:16–20
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Reader 2:
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Several families have volunteered to hang our evergreens at
this time. As they work, we will hear a carol of life. |
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Solo: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
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HS 220 |
Hanging of the Evergreens
III. The Spirit of Peace: Adding White Poinsettias
Reader 1:
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Another fresh touch this year is found in the delicate white
poinsettia plants that have been dressed for this occasion. White is the
color of peace. We have chosen it to illustrate our dedication to
pursuing peace.
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Reader 2:
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Just as Jesus is our life and hope, so also Jesus is our peace.
He made peace among us and God when we were far away and alienated, and he
continues to make peace among factions of humankind trying to share this
planet. Hear again the words from the Apostle Paul. |
Scripture Readings: Ephesians 2:14–18 and Luke 2:14
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Congregational Carol: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”
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HS 250 |
Placing the Poinsettias
During the singing, have the poinsettias brought forward and placed as
desired. If an offering is to be taken, have the ushers come forward on the
last stanza of the hymn.
Disciples’ Generous Response
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Special Music: “Instruments of Your Peace”
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NS 21 |
IV. The Spirit of Sharing: Decorating the Tree
Reader 1:
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One of the most individual of all our home decorations is our
Christmas tree. Each home has a unique collection of ornaments. Some are
specialized: all angels, all handmade, or all a certain color. Others are
assortments: things that children have made, things handed down from
generations, gifts from friends.
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Reader 2:
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It is this uniqueness that will make our tree special this
year. We have asked you to share a personal ornament for the tree.
This means our tree will be gifted with a variety that reflects the rich
diversity of our congregation, but which also shows the oneness we
experience when we are together. Let’s think again of the prayer of
Jesus for his church and the admonition of Paul to the Ephesians.
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Scripture Readings: John 17:20–23 and Ephesians 4:2–6
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Reader 1:
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If you have an ornament to share, do that as we sing the
next song. Others who wish to help may come and place the smaller white
doves on the tree. We will need someone to put the largest dove on the
highest bough of the tree. Then we will plug in the lights and enjoy our
unique sharing tree.
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Quiet Music: “I Wonder as I Wander”
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HS 251 |
Sung by the congregation as the tree is decorated.
Decorating the Christmas Tree
V. The Spirit of Celebration: Joyful Lives
Reader 1:
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Christmas remains one of the happiest seasons of the year. We
celebrate many gifts throughout the month: the gift of family and
friends, the joy of giving, the fun of social gatherings. And we share our
blessings as we try to make the season more joyful for others. Joy and
celebration are deeper because the spirit of the season is confirmed
by the Spirit of God that lives within us. While others celebrate through
events and trappings, we celebrate the inner joy that comes from Jesus and
the Holy Spirit.
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Reader 2:
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Listen to these occasions of joyful living from familiar
scriptures. |
Scripture Readings
Mary, when she heard she would bear the Savior: Luke 1:46–49
Zechariah, when John the Baptist was born: Luke 1:67–69
The angels, announcing Jesus’ birth: Luke 2:13–14
The shepherds, when they saw the baby: Luke 2:20
Old prophet Simeon, when he held the baby: Luke 2:28–32
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Congregational Carol: “Joy to the World!”
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HS 258 |
Those who will carry the lighted votive candles should assemble quietly
in the back of the sanctuary and be ready to come forward when asked.
VI. The Spirit of Love: Reading the Christmas Story
Reader 1:
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The room is almost ready. It is time now to read the story of
Christmas from the Bible. (You might invite the children to come
forward and sit on the rostrum as the story is read. You may want to use a
children’s Bible story book. Dim the lights in the sanctuary.) Will
those with the lighted candles come forward? We will read the story by the
light you provide.
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Reader 2:
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As our candlelighters come, I will begin reading for you the
greatest story of love ever recorded: the Christmas story from the
Gospel of Luke.
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Christmas Story: Luke 2:1–20
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*Congregational Carol: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
*Placing the Candles in the Sanctuary
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HS 238 |
*Benediction Praise Chorus: “Shine, Jesus, Shine” refrain only
*Postlude
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NS 45 |
Service adapted from Worship Innovations: Hanging the Greens for
Christmas by Janet Burton (Lima, Ohio: CSS Publishing, 2000), 24–27.
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