Reproduced from the "Steeple Chimes," January 2011.
A palpable sense of excitement and anticipation began moving through our congregation a short time before the first Sunday in Advent, November 28. After worship that day, a group of devoted decorators adorned our sanctuary with greenery, hundreds of tiny white lights and everyone’s favorite Chrismon tree. In a few short hours, they transformed the sanctuary into a Christmas wonderland, a perfect setting for the Hanging of the Greens program, “Rise Up! Jesus is Coming.” Scripture reading, carol singing, lighting the Advent candle, the choir’s anthem and Pastor David’s message—readied our hearts to honor the birth of our king, baby Jesus, by hanging his monogram ornaments on our 15-foot evergreen tree. While singing carols, worshipers filed past baskets filled with Chrismons. Each selected a twinkling, sequined ornament and hung it on the evergreen tree as a tribute to Jesus Christ.
After the tree was covered with sparkling Chrismons, the sanctuary plunged into darkness. Instantly, hundreds of tiny white lights brilliantly lit up to remind us of the heavenly backdrop seen by shepherds and angels on that long ago night in Bethlehem. By this starlight, we closed by singing, “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
