A service of Reflection and Healing by Desert Hills Presbyterian Church

A Service of Reflection & Healing on the Longest Night

December 21, 2024

Please silence cell phones and other electronic devices.

*Please stand if you are able.

Welcome - Walking Beside Ministry

Welcome to this Longest Night service, a time when we can, in company with each other, acknowledge the sadness we feel at Christmas time. This is the time of the shortest day and longest night of the year, when memories of past experiences and the pain of present reality can become overwhelming. Recognizing that this is not a season of joy for everyone, in this service we will be invited to reflect on the pain, the loneliness, and the sorrow we may feel and offer it all to our great sign of hope, the Holy Child of Bethlehem. We pray that all of us will find hope and comfort in knowing we are not alone.

*Call to Worship (Psalm 139:10-11)

Reader: If I say, Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night,” darkness is not dark to you, O Lord.

People: The night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike.

Reader: Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

*Invocation

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

*Opening Hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.

(Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Rod of Jesse’s stem, From every foe deliver them that trust your mighty power to save, And give them victory o’er the grave. (Refrain)

O come, O key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. (Refrain)

O come, O Dayspring from on high And cheer us by your drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadow put to flight. (Refrain)

The Proclamation of the Word

The First Reading Isaiah 9:2-7 NIV

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when diving the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Reader: The word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

The Second Reading (in unison) Psalm 121 NIV

I lift up my eyes to the mountainswhere does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot sliphe who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over youthe LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harmhe will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

The Third Reading Luke 2:8-20 NIV

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Reader: The Gospel of our Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Reflective Musical Interlude

Through music, you are invited into a time of quiet reflection in response to the Gospel.

Advent Wreath Candle Lighting and Litany of Remembrance

Reader: We light this Advent candle to remember those persons whom we have loved and lost. We pause to remember their names, their faces, their voices. We give thanks for the memory that binds them to us this season which anticipates Christmas.

People: May God’s eternal love surround them.

A period of silent reflection. During this time, you are invited to come forward and light a candle for your loved one.

Hymn Silent Night, Holy Night (with adapted verses)

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright ‘round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.

Reader: We light this second candle to redeem the pain of loss: the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, the loss of health. As we gather up the pain of the past, we offer it to you, O God, asking that into our open hands you will place the gift of peace.

People: Refresh, restore, renew us, O God, and lead us into your future.

A period of silent reflection. During this time, you are invited to come forward and light a candle to remember your pain of loss.

Hymn

Silent night, holy night

Griefs abound, ever in sight, Christ now comes in manger bare, Holds our loved ones in his holy care. Joy, at last, to be ours. Joy, at last, to be ours.

Reader: We light this third candle to remember ourselves this Christmas time. We pause and remember the past weeks, months, and for some of us, years of difficult times. We remember the poignancy of memories, the grief, the sadness, the hurts, the pain of reflecting on our own mortality.

People: Let us remember that dawn defeats darkness.

A period of silent reflection. During this time, you are invited to come forward and light a candle for yourself and your burdens.

Hymn

Silent night, holy night

Shepherd quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing alleluia,

Christ, the Savior, is born!

Reader: This fourth candle is lit to remember our faith and the gift of hope which God offers to us in the Christmas story. We remember that God, who shares our life, also promises us a place and time where pain and suffering will be no more.

People: Let us remember the one who shows the way and who goes with us into our tomorrows.

A period of silent reflection. During this time, you are invited to come forward and light a candle for the gift of light and hope that God offers to us.

Hymn

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.

The Prayers of the People

Reader: In the spirit of this season let us now confidently ask our God for all the good things we need. The prayer will be broken up into several petitions. After each, a brief moment will be given for personal reflection. Following that, you will hear the words, “God, hear our prayer,” and you are invited to respond with, “And in your mercy, answer.”

God of all Comfort, as your beloved children, we come to you with bittersweet feelings as Christmas dawns. We know we should be excited about the birth of Jesus and his promised second coming, but yet find ourselves coping with our many different losses. In the silence of our hearts, we acknowledge these before you now... (Pause for Reflection). God, hear our prayer.