When I was growing up, our church had a Christmas Eve service. This service was always really special to me. I grew up attending a small church where everyone felt like family...for better or worse, so seeing each other on this final night before Christmas was always fun.
At the end of the service, we'd light candles, stand in a circle around the sanctuary and sing "Silent Night." Those moments, as we stood in the darkness, with only our candles to light the space, looking at each other and singing this song that whispers of the sacredness of Christmas...those few minutes always felt so holy and sacred. Special.
I miss that now. The churches I've attended in my adult years are all much larger. The services are polished, coordinated, and designed. I miss the simplicity of church being about the body of people.
I'm sharing with you the Mannheim Steamroller version of Silent Night as my final Christmas song to share this season. I won't be posting tomorrow, but I'll probably be back shortly after that in order to wrap up the year. I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope that you have time to savor the company of those you love, the sweetness of the gift of Jesus, and the joy of life. I am deeply thankful to know you and the season wouldn't be complete without expressing my gratitude for your presence in my life. Merry Christmas friends. May you know fullness of joy.
32 comments:
What a beautiful video. Mannheim Steamroller is my husband's favorite version.
I hope you have wonderful joyous holidays!!!
Merry Christmas, Amy! Hope you have a wonderful day. Thanks for a beautiful post!
Merry, Merry Christmas, dear Amy! Wishing you all the very best.
Merry Christmas, Amy! I love Silent Night. It's one of my favorite Christmas songs.
First of all, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas. May God bless you all and may you all feel God's love and joy in your life.
The last few years the church I attend has done the candle thing. It just did not feel right with such a large group. Last year they had us bring up our burning candle up to receive communion. I spent the whole time hoping that I would not trip and catch the person in front of me on fire.
Thomas
Merry Christmas to you and a Blessed New Year. My memories of Christmas Eve as a kid going to church are the same - that solemn holy lighting of candles at the end of the service... so nice
Merry Christmas, Amy!
And our church is doing a simple Christmas Eve service, and despite our size, it's always quaint!
Merry Christmas Amy!
I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, Amy, and a joyful New Year!!
Merry Christmas, Amy! I hope you have a wonderful day filled with love and family.
My favorite version of this beautiful carol - my friend Jordan and I played this as a piano/synth duet for several years in my school Christmas programs.
I've always loved the candlelight Christmas Eve service, until a couple of years ago when a guy in the choir accidentally dropped his candle on the head of the lady in front of him - now it makes me a bit nervous!
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I love that version of Silent Night. Thank you for sharing, Amy. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Amy!
Amy...that was so beautiful; thank you and may your holidays be extra special :)
Yup, I've been thinking about those special services myself. They were always a warm, wonderful time for our family!
Merry Christmas Amy!
Merry Christmas, Amy! Thanks for everything you do :-).
Merry Christmas, Amy!!
Merry Christmas, Amy! I just received your beautiful card. I'm thankful for you too. :)
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Yes, this is the perfect Christmas Eve tradition; it should be the only way such a service closes. We finished with Joy to the World last night, and how I wanted Silent Night.
Merry Christmas, dear soul.
A very Merry Christmas to you, Amy!
Merry Christmas, Amy! Hope you are having a wonderful holiday.
Merry Christmas, Amy! <3
Merry Christmas Amy!
Merry Christmas, Amy. Hope it was filled with joy.
Merry Christmas, Amy!
This video is cool, but I think I like the "Wizards In Winter" one (TransSiberian Orchestra) better. It's a little more high-tempo'd. ;)
~MizB
((PS... Not that I don't LOVE Mannheim Steamroller! I listen to their CD every Christmas!))
Merry Christmas to you Amy. In reading your post, it brought back wonderful memories of going to church on Christmas morning with my grandmother when I was younger. Her small town church was very old and the ceiling high and vaulted - the hymns were so beautiful.
I know we've chatted a bit on Twitter since this was posted but I still wanted to wish you a belated merry Christmas!
Hope you are feeling better and that you enjoyed the beach. :)
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas Amy!
aww, Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and I wish you a happy, healthy, and safe New Year :)
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