Orcas Island Community Church invites you to celebrate the joyful anticipation of Christmas Eve with us on Christmas Eve December 24 with a quiet candlelight service. This island tradition is a wonderful gathering of islanders into the warmth and unity of the Christmas story.

We’ll sing all the familiar Christmas Carols, enjoy various readings and then experience the glow of light as each attender holds their own lit candle.

According to organizers, this reminds you of light’s capacity to penetrate darkness. At one point in the service, the community waits as a single candle enters the darkness, accompanied by an ethereal voice singing “Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” This one candle lights another as the glow spreads from person to person.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned,” writes the ancient prophet Isaiah of the birth of Christ. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” Folks of all faith backgrounds are welcome to join us as we contemplate the meaning of Christmas on this night.

The service will also feature a choir and the Joyful Noise chamber ensemble, with a meditation by senior pastor Dick Staub.

Associate pastor of congregational life Brian Moss will lead in singing Christmas carols. The service begins at 6 p.m.