Winslow fills sanctuary for annual Christmas Eve celebration

Our church sanctuary was filled again when we celebrated our annual Christmas Eve service December 24th at 7 PM. The brief but beautiful service featured the traditional readings of Nativity scriptures and singing of carols, amid bright candles and our lighting of the Advent wreath.

Key moments of the Nativity story were recounted in scripture and song, frfom the foretelling and preparation, to the announcement and celebration of Jesus’ long-awaited birth.

But in the spirit of the timeless Isaiah 11:6 verse—“A child shall lead them"—we were first led by two youth from Grace Union Church, who jointly read to us their own account of the Christmas story. Jamie Ewing and Elvia Miranda asked permission to enhance our Christmas Eve worship with their gift in words, just as they and other youth enhanced last years’ service with their gift of song.

The night’s final traditional hymn, “Silent Night,” was sung in the darkened sanctuary, as worshipers lit one another’s candles to slowly illuminate the sacred space. Our well-attended, intergenerational holiday gathering of families and friends on this special night was adorned by candlelight, poinsettias, a radiant Christmas tree, Pastor John Coleman’s thoughtful homily titled “The Journey to Jesus,” and the always melodious music of our beloved pianist Patti Ward who accompanied and enhanced our singing.