How Does a Weary World Rejoice? Advent & Christmas 2023

Advent & Christmas 2023 at FCCBC

Joy is often a companion to many other emotions. We can feel joy in addition to feeling many other things at once: grief, anticipation, anxiety, excitement, disappointment, exhaustion. Perhaps many of us live with the myth that joy is not something we deserve—or that it is wholly out of reach. But our joy is rooted in the truth that we belong to God. Can you tether yourself to that deep truth? You deserve to feel joy—fully. The world needs your joy, even if you are weary. Our joy is better when it is shared.

This theme of course alludes to a line in the familiar Christmas hymn, “O Holy Night,”2 which has an interesting history. The song was originally written by a French poet who was atheist, and the music was supplied by a Jewish composer. The hymn was later translated into English by an American Unitarian minister. In the 1800s, it became a popular hymn for Christian abolitionists due to its justice-focused language in verse 3.3 Like Mary’s song, the hymn reminds us that justice and joy belong together. Sometimes our joy is an act of resistance.

And so, this Advent, as the clergy and artists of A Sanctified Art lead us through this season, we will hold space for our weariness and our joy. We will seek a “thrill of hope” in our hurting world. We will welcome joy—even and especially if, like the prophet Isaiah, we cry out for comfort (Isaiah 40:1). In this weary world, may we find many ways to rejoice.

Join us for these Advent & Christmas Worship Experiences!

Advent & Christmas Worship: Sundays at 10AM in-person and online
Each service this year offers a different response to, “how does a weary world rejoice?” Invite a friend to join you!

  • Advent 1 - Dec 3rd: We acknowledge our weariness

  • Advent 2 - Dec 10th: We find joy in connection

  • Advent 3 - Dec 17th: We allow ourselves to be amazed

  • Advent 4 - Dec 24th: We sing stories of hope

  • Christmas I – Dec 31st: We root ourselves in ritual

  • Baptism of Christ – Jan 7th: We trust our belovedness

Christmas Eve Service: We Make Room - Sunday, December 24th at 7PM

We invite you to bring family and friends and join us for a festival service of carols, candlelight, and communion as we help this weary world rejoice by making room for one another and for Christ in our hearts and lives.

(Yes, we are having both a morning and an evening service on the 24th!)

Additional Opportunities for Prayer, Learning, and Worship

After Worship Each Week (11:30AM): Visio Divina Study

Once again, the artists and clergy of A Sanctified Art have created artwork of incredible depth and beauty to guide our Advent and Christmas journey this year. Visio Divina, Latin for “divine seeing,” is a method of meditation, reflection, and prayer through a process of intentional seeing. Through engaging visio divina with the art, and by sharing our reflections with one another, we'll discover a new dimension of meaning and depth as the Divine speaks to our hope and our longing through these artists' work.

Advent Contemplative Communion & Prayer Service:
Wednesdays, December 6th and 13th at 6PM

Join us for a time of conversation, scripture reading, silent prayer, chant, and communion in an intimate space that will allow us to share our weariness and our rejoicing with one another in the cool stillness of December evenings. (We’ll meet in the Breathing Room, located just inside the East Entrance.)

Longest Night: Worship for the Weary
Wednesday, December 20th at 7PM

On the 20th, we’ll gather for a special Longest Night service on the eve of the winter solstice, where we will have time to make our home in the dark as we await for the dawning of the new light. This service is a beloved tradition in our community and offers healing balm and words of comfort for all those who are carrying heavy loads this year. This service will feature candlelight, contemplative chant & stillness, and anointing for healing of soul and body.

Bonus Musical Celebrations with Partner Organizations:

Cereal City Concert Band: Sunday, Dec 10th 3PM
Pennfield Performing Arts Center: 8299 Pennfield Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49017

Battle Creek Master Singers: Saturday, Dec 16th, 4PM
FCCBC Chapel

Nate Craddock