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STORYTELLER: Moses declared to the people of Israel that they should keep a holy festival resplendent with majestic evergreen trees and with great rejoicing before the Lord their God. (Leviticus 24:40, 44)
In that spirit, according to some legends, Martin Luther began the festival lighting of the Christmas tree in 16th-century Germany. One Christmas Eve, he was walking under the starry night sky, pondering the great wonders of the Savior's birth. Suddenly, he was mesmerized by the feeling that Christ must have been born under skies just like these! He hurried home to share his great joy with his family. Seized by a sudden inspiration, he cut an evergreen tree from the yard and decorated it with lighted candles to serve as joyous reminders of that first starry Christmas long ago.
READER 1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things came into being through Him, and what came into being was life, the light of all people.
CONGREGATION: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
READER 1: The true light is Jesus. In Him, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
CONGREGATION: In Jesus we see the glory of God's only Son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 3-5, 9-14)
READER 2: For you will go out in joy and be led back in peace;
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