Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Prayer 2014: "Angels in the Stars" 

Come, Breath of Life, 

let us sink softly 

into the stillness of this moment. 


Let the last notes of our hymn

and the flickering candlelight

wash over us, 

soothe us, 

steady us. 


Let our sweet souls rest for now. 

Knowing that the stars and moon above 

shine down on us. 

Their light providing constancy

in a world filled with uncertainty. 


We come into this Christmas Eve

from a year lived well. 

We’ve known love. 

And loss. 


We’ve known joy. 

And grief. 


We’ve seen justice prevail. 

And justice denied. 


We’ve enjoyed days where everything flowed together and made sense. 

Those came next to days where confusion and sadness reigned. 


Friends, each and every one of those feelings, 

each and every one of those moments, 

creates a life. 

Your life. 


How do you choose to be in this world? 

Do you allow yourself to see an angel anytime and anywhere? (1)

In the form of a star 

or a butterfly? 

In the guise of a newborn babe

or a person without a home? 


Where is the angel voice pulling you? (2)

 Closer to yourself, 

to your community, 

to your God ? 


Will you allow yourself to be pulled 

by a Love so great ...  

Pulled into a place of possibility? 

Pushed away from fears 

distrust

or apathy. 


Will you allow the angel voice 

to pull you more fully into your life ... 

to find the places and spaces

to become.  


To become that you

who is filled with light, 

whose heart sings the song of hope, love and courage. 

Whose hands are busy with the work of healing the world. 


Breath of Life, 

hold these dear people in this room. 

Let them know love. And companionship. And goodness. 

May we be reminded that this night

and every night of our lives - 

is a holy night. 


1. From Mary Oliver poem "Angels" 
2. From Kayla Mcclurg reading "Becoming Christmas"