Darkest Night December 18, 2025

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Scriptures:

Sermon Summary

• Service Songs & Prayers

  MUSIC Curated by Kevin Borst
  Chris Tomlin - O Come O Come Emmanuel
  Chris Tomlin - What Child Is This
  Christy Nockels - Advent Hymn
  
  RESPONSIVE READING
  Written by Ben Hsu-Chan
  
  As the tide of night approaches its highest point before the solstice turn,

  we trace the darkened paths of our experience.

  Our loss - our mistakes - our weakness.

  The world’s injustice. Its confusion. And its sorrow.

  We sit here together and turn toward that ache in our hearts.

  And find here in this shared space that,

  while darkness presses in,

  we are not alone.

  We begin with a responsive prayer.

  This Christian tradition has for centuries

  sung a series of songs in the final seven days of Advent

  —they are known as the O Antiphons

  The Antiphons are short, poetic phrases

  drawn from the words of ancient Hebrew pleas

  Where people gather and sing -

  O Come, O Come…Wisdom, Desire of Nations, Emmanuel.
  
  I will read three adapted Antiphon calls for our service tonight—

  and invite you all to offer the responses together.

  When you see “All” on the screen, that’s your cue

  So I invite you now to stand if you would like

  as I read and we respond together.

  LEADER: 

  O Wisdom,

  That fills and holds all things as one.

  You meet us here on the paths we take,

  And lead us on t’ward break of day.

  ALL:

  We wait and look for You, O Wisdom.

  LEADER: 

  O Shining Light,

  in-breaking on each heavy heart

  undone by long delay.

  Come, and let all that shrouds and hems us in

  be held at bay, for mercy’s sake.

  ALL: 

  We wait and search for You, O Shining Light.

  LEADER: 

  O Infant Christ, long foretold,

  Arriving in the dark of night.

  You make no claim, lay glory down,

  O come, and disarm all our discontent

  With your helpless cry.

  ALL: 

  We wait and look to You, O Infant Christ.