Christmas Eve is a special time for my family and for my church family at Cannon United Methodist. But last year we had to cut back on special celebrations due to COVID-19.
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Christmas Eve is a special time for my family and for my church family at Cannon United Methodist. But last year we had to cut back on special celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In previous years my family and I would gather with the congregation of Cannon for a Candlelight Communion Service in the dimly lit, but beautifully decorated, sanctuary to honor the birth of the Christ Child.
We will be gathering once again this Christmas Eve for this special celebration at 6 p.m. and we want to invite anyone and everyone to join us to honor that Special Someone. I want to invite you.
We celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with songs of praise and with prayers to the One who came to give His life for all mankind. We share in Holy Communion together to commemorate His sacrifice, and then we each light a candle to remind ourselves that Jesus is the Light of the World.
The Apostle John wrote in his Gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
John was talking about Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us; the One we honor, worship, and celebrate at this time of the year. I encourage all of us to honor, worship, and celebrate The Word, Emmanuel, The Light of Men, all the year through…day in and day out.
In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”
On Christmas Eve, as we leave the sanctuary that night, we will be reminded to carry that Light into the world in which we live… to carry the Light of Christ in our hearts, and to let it shine on others.
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus told His followers, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.”
Our Candlelight Communion Service is a holy family tradition, and we would love to have you join us to celebrate the Light of Christ. Feel free to bring your family and friends. We welcome everyone.
We start our worship service at 6 p.m. and we try to close the festivities before 7 so you can get home to continue your Christmas celebrations with your family and friends. Cannon United Methodist Church is located at 1001 So. Cannon Blvd. in Shelbyville. We are next door to Southside Elementary School.
My prayer for you, your family, and your circle of friends at this time of the year is this: May the Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, bless you and keep you. May the Giver of Life, Emmanuel, God with us, make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Word who was in the beginning with God…the One called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen, amen and amen.
