Darkest Night December 18, 2025
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Scriptures:
Sermon Summary
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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.
