Live in the Light

A New Christmas Ceremony

This ceremony is suitable for people who want to honor the Christ in Christmas but who have broadened their understanding of Jesus to the point that they live beyond the borders of a theologically or socially narrow lens on Christianity. The Lighting of the Candles You will need 4 candles, arranged in a cross on the cake, as well as additional candles for each person present, arranged around the cake. ONE: A star shone the night when baby Jesus was born into the world. The East candle is lit: MANY: May his light shine forth in the world. ONE: Because he lived, I know about love. The North candle is lit: MANY: May love shine forth in the world. ONE: Please, one by one, share with us something that you know about, because Jesus lived and once youve spoken, as a group we will respond, May (your quality) shine forth in the world. LIGHTER: Because he lived, I know about ________. As each person names a quality they know because of Jesus being in the world, a candle is lit. And after each candle is lit, the group says: MANY: May ________ shine forth in the world. ONE: Because he lived, he died yet he lives In love and faith, in memory and intention. The West candle is lit. MANY: May renewal shine forth in the world.

* Written by Gail Tucker Whipple, December 1, 2002 Creative Commons License, Share and Share Alike, with Attribution

Live in the Light

A New Christmas Ceremony

ONE:

We give thanks to our Creator, as we give birth to a new season of hope that we will love one another and make peace with each other. The South candle is lit: MANY: May peace shine forth in the world. ONE: Though candles are extinguished, there is no end to the light they represent. ONE extinguishes the candles, or designates a child to extinguish the candles. MANY: May light shine forth in the world. The Sharing of Food ONE: Though cake is cut (or the bread is broken), there is no end to the circle of Love it represents ONE cuts the cake or designates another to cut the cake ONE: And though Jesus is gone, there is no end to the truth he represents. As we share together, there is no end to what this truth can become in us. MANY: May we shine forth in the world. ALL: Peace on Earth. Goodwill to All.

* Written by Gail Tucker Whipple, December 1, 2002 Creative Commons License, Share and Share Alike, with Attribution