The Light of Christ

We had a very interesting experience here at MUMC on Christmas Eve. It started out like any other Christmas Eve Service, but ended with a strange twist.

I planned to end our service with the traditional Candelight Service. We were going to sing, "Silent Night" and I was going to take the light from the Christ candle and share it with the congregation to remind us of how the light of Christ moves out into the world.

Just as I was explaining the meaning of this part of the worship service, the lights went out. It was only seconds before we planned to turn them out anyway. At first I thought someone had just "jumped the gun" and turned them out early. Then I realized that my microphone wasn't working either. The lights flashed on and off several times, before going out completely. It turned out that the ice on the powerlines caused us to lose our electricity.

Not wanting to be controlled by faulty powerlines, we continued the candlelighting service. Someone ran up to help our guitarist see his music so that we could sing Silent Night. The lights from the candles lit up the sanctuary and made a beautiful sight. Slowly and worshipfully everyone left the sanctuary while still singing.

And then, right where we would normally extinguish the candle and put it back in the box for next year, we realized that we still needed the candles!

People went out of their way to help others. Two people stationed themselves on the steps to help others see the way. Others stationed themselves at the coat rack to help people put on their coats. Someone else ran and got a flashlight from their car to help others see outside. Everyone pitched in to help others find their way.

Reflecting on this experience later, I realized that we really were "the light of Christ." We were doing exactly what we should be doing ... helping others to find their way.

May we all be candles for the world that on the darkest night, our light from Christ can shine brightly to help others find their way.