Ready or Not – This is our traditional Christmas Eve Service, late on Christmas Eve, the end of the Advent period of waiting.  The four Advent candles have been lit through the season, and at the end of this service the Christ candle is lit.  The gospel reading, Luke 2.1-20, is read from the midst of the congregation rather than from the lectern, and Senior Minister Carol Cavin-Dillon’s Communion Meditation focuses on how, much as things must have happened for Joseph and Mary as they went to Bethlehem, many of us have experienced grief and other down times and struggles recently, but in the midst of all that the Christ child is born in a quite unexpected way.  Jesus arrives, ready or not.  God intervenes with Emmanuel at times when we may need that intervention most, and there is much joy in that coming.  The service ends with a changing of the paraments from the color of Advent to the color of Christmas.  (NOTE: Reflecting the importance of the Word, the video begins with the scripture, but once it starts you can scroll back to the beginning of the service if you want.  The entire service is videoed.)