Christmas Special:
"Hour of Power" Christmas Candle Night Celebration(25/12/02)

VOICE OVER/INTRODUCTION
Tonight broadcast live around the world from the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, welcome to a Christmas candlelight celebration with Dr. Robert Schuller. Featuring Robert Anthony Schuller, and special guests, Mr. Piano Roger Williams, former Miss America Dorothy Benham, Christian contemporary artist Charles Billingsly, child soloist Daniel McGrew, the Crystal Cathedral Choir with Donald Neuen, the Hour of Power Orchestra with Johnnie Carl, and Christopher Pardini at the mighty 16,000 pipe Hazel Wright Organ.

CALL TO WORSHIP - "Hallelujah Chorus"
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! King of kings and Lord of Lords, King of kings and Lord of Lords. And He shall reign forever and ever, forever and ever, forever and ever, Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

OPENING SENTENCE/WELCOME - RHS
RHS: It's Christmas! Let's celebrate the birthday of Jesus. Unto us a Child is born. Unto us a Son is given. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

CAROL - "O Come, All Ye Faithful"
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! O come all, O come all to Bethlehem! Come and behold Him, born the King of angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Sing choirs of angels sing in exultation! O sing joyful citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! O come let us adore Him!

CHRISTMAS INVOCATION - RHS
RHS: Welcome to the Christmas Eve candlelight service from the Crystal Cathedral. A special welcome to all of you in Hong Kong and China, watching us for the first year. And Indonesia and Middle East, in Asia and Russia and all of the Europe on the NBC Europe network. And wherever you are, all over the world, you are a part of millions of people who are celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ. So let us pray: O Lord, from around the world and from the ships at sea, and from the soldiers who are near harms way, we come together. Followers of Jesus Christ, from different cultures, continents and creeds we come with a mixture of hopes and hurts and dreams and disappointments. We come to celebrate the good news that God loves us and came to the world in Jesus to show it. And so tonight, O God, may the sounds and sight of Christmas bring us to our Lord, our leader, even Christ, Amen.

ANTHEM - CCA CHORUS - "On Christmas Night"
On Christmas night, on Christmas night, the candles glow and share their light. On Christmas night, on Christmas night a special star shines bright.

On Christmas night, on Christmas night, the candles glow and share their light, Star of wonder, on Christmas night, on Christmas night, a special star tonight.

Star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light. It's a star of peace, star of wonder, it's a star of joy, star of light, it's the star of Bethlehem. Shining thru the night. Bethlehem. It's the perfect light tonight. On Christmas night, on Christmas night, our hearts are filled with great delight. Star of wonder, on Christmas night, on Christmas night, a special star shines bright.

On Christmas night, on Christmas night, our hearts are filled with great delight. On Christmas night, on Christmas night, a special star, special star shines bright!

INSTRUMENTAL - HOUR OF POWER ORCHESTRA - "Music from the Nutcracker"

THE CHRISTMAS STORY PART I - Luke 2:1-7 - RAS
RAS: In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to be enrolled each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David.

There he was enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

SOLO - CHARLES BILLINGSLY - "Jesus, O What a Wonderful Child"
Jesus, Jesus, oh what a wonderful child. Jesus, O my Jesus, so lowly, meek and mild. New life, new hope, new joy He brings. Won't you listen to the newborn sing, glory, glory, glory, to the newborn King.

He was herald by the angels, born in a lowly manger, the Virgin Mary was His mother oh and Joseph was His earthly father. Oh, three wise men came from afar. They were guided by a shining star to see King Jesus where He lay in a manger filled with hay.

Jesus, oh Jesus, oh what a wonderful child. Jesus, my sweet Jesus, oh so lowly, meek and mild. New life, new hope, new joy He brings. Won't you listen to the angels sing, glory, glory, glory to the newborn King.

I love Him, He's a wonderful, wonderful One. Oh my Jesus, He's the all mighty God, He's so wonderful, yes we sing, glory, glory, glory to the newborn King, yeah.

ANTHEM - CATHEDRAL CHOIR - "Adeste Fideles"
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come, ye, O come, ye, to Bethlehem.

O come all, ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, born the King of angels. O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord.

O sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above. Glory to God, all glory in the highest, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning. O Jesus, to Thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord.

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant. O come, all ye faithful, joyful, triumphant Lord. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.

RAS INTRODUCES CAPTAIN ROBERT ROOD, USAF
RAS: For over 30 years we've been broadcasting to the arms network stations and tonight there's servicemen and servicewomen all around the world who are listening to this broadcast. And they're in the camps in Afghanistan or on the ships in the Gulf, they can hear us. And so tonight we have asked Captain Rob Rood, of the U.S. Air Force to come and read our scripture, so please welcome Captain Robert Rood.

SCRIPTURE - THE CHRISTMAS STORY PART II - CAPTAIN ROBERT ROOD, USAF
CRR: Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly
host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill towards all."

SOLO - DOROTHY BENHAM - "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
Said the night wind to the little lamb, do you see what I see way up in the sky, little lamb? Do you see what I see? A star, a star, dancing in the night with a tail as big as a kite, with a tail as big as a kite.

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear? Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear? A song, a song, high above the trees with a voice as big as the sea, with a voice as big as the sea.

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, do you know what I know? Do you know what I know? In your palace warm mighty king? Do you know what I know? Do you know what I know? A child, a child shivers in the cold, let us bring Him silver and gold. Let us bring Him silver and gold.

Said the king to the people everywhere, listen to what I say; Listen to what I say; Pray for peace, people everywhere. Pray for peace, people everywhere. Listen to what I say; Listen to what I say; A child, a child, sleeping in the night, He will bring us goodness and light, He will bring us goodness and light. Hallelujah! Bring us light!

HYMN - "Angels We Have Heard on High"
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains, and the mountains in reply echo back their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria! Gloria!

ANTHEM - CATHEDRAL CHOIR - "Sing Noel, Alleluia!
The Christ Child's born on this Christmas day, sing we noel, alleluia! Born in a manger stall He comes for one and all bless the Lord, alleluia!

The Christ Child's born on this Christmas day, sing we noel, alleluia! Born in a manger stall He comes for one and all, praise the Lord, alleluia!

The Christ Child's born on this Christmas day, sing we noel, alleluia! Born in a manger stall, He comes for one and all. Bless the Lord, alleluia! Praise the Lord, alleluia! Oh sing noel, alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

SCRIPTURE - THE CHRISTMAS STORY PART III - RAS
RAS: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold, wisemen from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

And behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary, His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

SOLO - DANIEL MCGREW - "Wise Men Still Adore Him"
Wise men still adore Him, the One born in Bethlehem. Lay your gifts before Him in your heart He'll be born again.

Angels heard on high, His praises did sing; Shepherds came by night to worship the King; Wise men from afar rich offerings did bring to lay before the feet of the Lord.

Wise men still adore Him, the One born in Bethlehem. Lay your gifts before Him, in your heart He'll be born again. Wise men still adore Him, the One born in Bethlehem. Lay your gifts before Him, you'll be born again.

Angels heard on high, His praises did sing. Shepherds came by night to worship the King; Wise men from afar rich offerings did bring to lay before the feet of the Lord. Wise men still adore Him, the One born in Bethlehem. Lay your gifts before Him, in your heart He'll be born again.

Wise men still adore Him, the One born in Bethlehem. Lay your gifts before Him, in your heart He'll be born again. In your heart, He'll be born again. In your heart, He'll be born again.

PRAYER FOR OFFERING
Ah, what a wonderful night it has been. Great music isn't it? Well I'm sure by now you're in the Christmas spirit and since you're in the Christmas spirit I think it's a spirit of giving and as the wise men gave their gold, frankincense and myrrh, so we have an opportunity to give our treasure as well. And so at this time our offerings will be received and we want you to know that God will truly bless you for whatever you're able to give and even if you think you have nothing to give, I am positive that before the night is over, you will find something to give the Christ child.

Dear heavenly Father, we thank You, that at this very moment we have our hearts for You. And so as we dedicate our lives, our hearts, our souls, so accept these gifts that we give, use them to proclaim Your good news in the Christmas message to as many people as possible. We thank You God, Amen.

ANTHEM - CATHEDRAL CHOIR - "He is Born"
Now is born the Divine Christ Child. Play the musette, play the tuneful oboe! Now is born the Divine Christ Child. Let all sing and rejoice this day! Ages long since are past and gone when the wise men foretold His coming. Ages long since are past and gone!
Noel, Noel, then let us sing!

Now is born the Divine Christ Child. Play the musette, play the tuneful oboe! Now is born the Divine Christ Child. Let all sing and rejoice this day! He was born in a stable bare, on bed of straw now He sleeps so soundly. He was born in a stable bare. Bow in homage to Him now.

Now is born the Divine Christ Child. Play the musette, play the tuneful oboes! Now is born the Divine Christ Child. Let all sing and rejoice this day!

INTRODUCTION TO ROGER WILLIAMS - RHS
RHS: One of the most famous members of this church, is Roger Williams. He's called Mr. Music, he's also called Mr. Piano, and for many years it's a tradition for him to come here and play for us on Christmas Eve. Just a few days ago, he had to have surgery for a melanoma, it was a recurrence and it was serious. And reconstructive surgery was necessary on his face. He said I want to come so bad but I don't have the strength. I'm so sorry I'm not going to be able to play with you this Christmas Eve, Dr. Schuller. And I said to him the other day, oh but Roger, you're going to play for us Christmas Eve. Better than ever because we got a good tape from you last year. So here, let's welcome Roger Williams.

PIANO SOLO - ROGER WILLIAMS - "The Music of Christmas 2000"
MESSAGE - THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE - RHS
RHS: And all God's people said Wow! Welcome to this Christmas Eve service. I even see children here and you're most excited about your presents and the food. I heard yesterday of a little kid who went to his grandma's house for Christmas last year, and the table was all set but he was the first one to be seated and grab a chunk of turkey and was eating it before the rest had gotten there or prayed. And his mother saw him, scolded him and said, "you can't eat we didn't pray yet." He said, "we don't have to pray we're at grandma's house." She said, "we pray before we eat at grandma's house too." He said, "we don't have to, her food is always good."

Well we can still laugh at Christmas even though this is a different Christmas this year. And yet it's the same because we celebrate God coming to earth. From the gospel of St. Matthew in the first chapter, Matthew quotes Isaiah who said concerning Jesus, "And His name shall be called Emmanuel, God with us."

We human beings are made in the image of God and we are all inclined to dream great dreams, impossible dreams, beautiful dreams. We come by it naturally, for God was the great dreamer of great dreams. And Christmas was the fulfillment of God's most bold and beautiful dream that He ever dreamed. It was a dream that He could come out of the silence, out of invisibility into visibility. And just being an eternal spirit to becoming a body in human flesh so that humans could really see authentic love in Him. His name shall be called Emmanuel, God with us. There's still too many people that can't believe in God and I couldn't either if my concept of God was what is in their head. I can't believe in a God who sits in a big chair with a long beard and snaps His finger and slaps people and performs little miracles ambiguously. God is eternal sovereign God. But most of all, He rewards, He encourages, He loves us. So He came to earth in Jesus. He looked down on earth and saw all the hell on earth and decided He was going to send some heaven on earth. Wow.
So, Christmas happens when you take this Christ spirit into your heart and life. When you become God's person of love to people around you, to a student if you're a teacher, to a customer if you're in marketing, to a client, to a co-worker, to a patient, to a neighbor, to someone who sits next to you on a bus in a subway, on a plane. If you say I've never seen God, you are so, so, so, so wrong. You see God all the time but you don't recognize Him. He's in people. Good people, sweet people, and He's using their eyes and their lips and their mouth and their hand to encourage you and motivate you and inspire you.
God has nobody but people to do His work today. And if you want to find God, look into the hearts and deep into the eyes of good people. They are around you, believe me. I heard this story the other day, the person says it's true. A wife lost her husband; well many people lost husbands and wives this year. It's been a tragic year. This is safe to say that Christmas 2001 isn't what it was a year ago. Last Christmas, we were placing wreaths on the doors of our homes. This Christmas we're placing wreaths on the graves of our family and heroes. Last Christmas we thought a man who could rush down a football field was a hero; this Christmas we know a man who rushes into a burning building is a real hero. Last Christmas we were getting on one another nerves, this year we're getting on our knees. Last Christmas, 2000, we were wondering how to give our children all the things that money can buy, the hottest toys, the latest fashions, the newest gadgets. This Christmas, parents are wondering how to give their kids .. (TRANSCRIPTION TAPE ENDS -- TURN OVER) .. on earth. They touched us. Yes, last Christmas we idolized people who wore football uniforms, basketball uniforms, baseball uniforms and this Christmas the people we idolize wear police uniforms, fire fighter uniforms and military uniforms. Yes, last year was different. This year isn't what it was. But this year, God is coming to us. He was the first on the scene in New York. He was the first on the scene in tragedy. God is still very much alive as He was with this mother who lost her husband, who was left with two girls and a little boy.
And the two girls were able to make her a Christmas gift. But the little boy couldn't, he couldn't make anything. And it was Christmas Eve day and he went to his drawer and he found a dime and he went uptown to look in the store. What could he buy for ten cents? He had to give his mother a Christmas present. And could find nothing for ten cents. And he walked past a flower shop, a flower store, it looked like it was getting ready to close, the man was in there, the little boy walked in and the gentleman said, "Can I help you little fellow?" And the little boy said, "Can I, all I've got is a dime. Can I buy a flower, just a flower. Just one flower is fine. I don't care how big, I don't care what size, I don't care what color, just a blossom that I can take it home and give it to mommy for Christmas." And the man's face lighted up and he said, "You know what, I think I've got just what you want. You wait here." He went in the back and he came back carrying a big white box, long, narrow and in it were a dozen white roses in full bloom. Tide together with a silky white ribbon. And he said, "This happens to cost ten cents. You just bought it." The boy said, "A dime? No that can't be a dime." "No," the man said, "I know what I'm doing. Please take it." And the boy was jubilant, went out the store and he started running home.

From the back room, the woman called out, "Jacob, those flowers you were putting together today in the white box, what happened to them? Did you sell them?" And he said, "Yes, honey, just sold them." She said, "How much did you get for them?" He said, "I have to tell you, when I came to the store early this morning, my little prayers, I got a message.

Somebody's going to come in for a special gift today. A very special Christmas gift. So you take the 12 long stemmed white roses, tie them together in a silk white ribbon, put them in that nice long white box, and when that special person comes in to buy them, sell them. And you'll know what to sell them for. He'll offer you something, take it. I sold them honey, for a dime."

You know what? God wants to live in your heart the way He lived in the heart of that florist. He wants to live in me; He wants to live in you. What we need in the world Christmas 2001 whether you look to Afghanistan or to the ashes of New York or whether you look to the cemetery, or whether you look to the classroom where you are working on your degree, wherever you look, what does the world need today at Christmas? It needs the encouragement, the comfort, the forgiveness, the love, the hope of God, all mighty, and this God will come to you through somebody just watch out. And this God is going to come to somebody through you. And you will be a part of heaven on earth. Emmanuel, God with us. Open your heart now and make a decision that you're going to become a follower of Jesus Christ tonight. It's a decision. Amen.

HYMN - "Silent Night"
Silent night! holy night! All is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing "Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!"

SOLO - CHARLES BILLINGSLY - "O Holy Night"
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining, it is the night of the dear Savior's birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth!

A thrill of hope this weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! So fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night divine, O night, O night divine!

THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING - RAS
RAS: Last night I was here for the Glory of Christmas and it didn't look quite like this. There's been a little transformation in the event of about 12 hours, that tree, a 50-foot tree, it must be thousands of pounds. All these other Christmas trees, the wreaths, everything, all the poinsettias, all were brought in about 12 hours. Quite a transformation to say the least. And at the end of the Glory of Christmas, the man behind me stood and said, you know the best part out the whole thing? It's all real. It's real. And because it's real, transformations are taking place. Not just here, but in your lives. And so tonight I want to ask you, invite you to stand up right now where you are, and allow the light of Christmas to shine. Raise it high. And let people know that the truth of Christmas is shining in your heart and in your lives. Let the world know that the Christ child is born. And so may the blessings of Christmas go with you today, tomorrow and always, to the very ends of the earth, wherever you may be, wherever you may go, as you're transformed into the beautiful creature God wants you to be. Merry Christmas!

OUTDOOR VIDEO - ED ARNOLD
It's still so marvelous after all these years; this is the 40th for me, 40 years ago I attended my first Christmas Eve service here in Garden Grove. We're from the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove California. We're so glad that you've joined us this evening. A very, very special celebration the reason for the season. What we'd like for you to do is get in contact with the television station you're watching right now, and thank them for making this possible for you at no charge to us. It's a very special Christmas present from us and from them, and for that we're very grateful. The music, something that will live throughout the course of the year with you we hope. The message, even more so. If you'd like to find out more about our ministry, join us on line at www hour of power dot org. Again that address www hour of power dot org. You can find out so much more about this ministry and keep in mind that the Hour of Power is seen worldwide every Sunday. You can check the television listings in your area, or again you can log on to www dot hour of power dot org. We thank you so very much for spending your Christmas Eve with us, and from Dr. Schuller and all of us here at the Crystal Cathedral, thank you so very much and a very, very Merry Christmas to you and to yours.