Perfect. Just perfect!

Every year I have this ritual. Following the last Christmas Eve worship service, I drive home alone in the silence of the car, thinking about all the people filling up the sanctuary, the old faces with whom I reconnected, the beautiful music, and rehashing the sermon in my head.

When I get home, Gretchen is there, still awake, preparing the Swedish pancake mix for Christmas morning breakfast with the whole family. We hug and kiss, and then talk about the services, who was there, what happened, how it went.

We then watch the midnight mass from the Vatican with all the pomp and ritual, the beauty of that basilica and words from the Pope (always good to get a second opinion!)

As I finally go to bed, I think back at the splendor and mystery of worship at Christ Lutheran during all those Christmas Eve Services.

The Children’s Worship at 10:00 was just delightful. Pastor Adrienne and the Family Ministry Team did an amazing job of connecting with the children around the theme of angels. With nearly 250 people in attendance, it was the largest Children’s Service we’ve ever had.

The 4:00 Contemporary Service was back to its pre-Covid numbers. With over 900 in attendance, the place was alive with families singing loudly under the leadership of SpiritSong.

The 6:00 Service drew in those looking for that more Traditional sound with organ, choir, and orchestra, concluding with everyone holding a candle and singing in unison the beloved words to Silent Night. Beautiful!

At 8:00, the second wave of Contemporary worshippers appeared. Having had their dinners and perhaps some presents, I marvel at the sheer number of people who stop everything at home at 7:30 to pack into their cars and mark this night with worship.

And at 10:00, we had a new worship experience called the Encounter. With well over a hundred candles decorating Christ Chapel, the place was alit with wonder and awe with 170 people and the music! Wow. This select group of singers outdid themselves, bringing the classics to life and raising our worship to a new level. Thank you!

I also want to thank Owen Runge and Jacob Parker for helping me out with the sermon.  They only had a couple of days to learn their parts and did it with great ease. It was fun doing it together with them.

Perfect. Just perfect!

Still Bathing in the Afterglow!

Pastor Scott