Family Alive

Josiah and Analise look at the Nativity outside Salem Lutheran Church before the 5pm Christmas Eve service

I interrupt the live snowstorm blogging for a quick thought about this beautiful evening…

We bundled up and trudged through the snowbanks and still falling snow to walk the half block to the 5pm Christmas Even service with my parents and the kids.  It was a nice family worship time, full of songs, the familiar words of the first Christmas story and keeping the kids entertained with crayons, paper and jingle bells (during the songs, muffled at other times!), and ultimately, keeping Josiah from playing with the candle flame and Analise from leaning her hair into the candle. I did find a few seconds to appreciate the quiet candle-lit song…

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

As we were leaving, someone asked if I might come back to the 11pm service to sing “Mary, Did You Know?” in a quartet, as one of the members wasn’t going to be able to come back.  Since we live just steps from church and I’m always up for helping out, I said yes and somehow managed not to fall asleep before I needed to head back over at 10:30.

My beautiful little church holds so many memories for me.  Years and years of Lutheran worship, from traditional liturgy to contemporary songs, many a Christmas program, hundreds of Sundays singing with the choir, serving as acolyte, reader, usher, communion assistant, and pianist (though never at the same time!), vocal and piano solos, confirmation classes, and somewhat more recently, our wedding.  So many pieces of my faith were formed there, and I found myself closing my eyes and knowing the familiar words of liturgy by heart.   Just as the service started, one of my best friends from high school and her family sat down next to me, and we were both surprised and excited to see each other for the first time in more than 7 years.  She and I had sung many songs together at church, and I was taken back to 17 years ago tonight, when we sang a duet at the Christmas Eve service as juniors in high school.   Here now we sat as mothers, with a whole new look on this Silent Night at the miracle that took place that first Christmas Eve.

So as I stepped to the front tonight, I was reminded of how my faith has changed.  And yet… He was, He is and He is to come.  Our Emmanuel.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I am.

Family picture in front of the Christmas tree after the 5pm service

Snowing outside Salem Lutheran during the start of the 11pm Christmas Eve service

Video of the snow outside Salem Lutheran during the start of the 11pm Christmas Eve service