Christmas Eve at ICE
December 24, 2025 at 2pm
Gathering Music:
“O Come, All Ye Faithful” (UMH 234)
“The First Noel” (UMH 245)
1. 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;
Refrain:
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
2. True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
lo, he shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;
Refrain:
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
Refrain:
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
4. See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle,
leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;
Refrain:
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
1. The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Refrain:
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.
Welcome
Key Safety Details:
- This is a peaceful and non-violent gathering.
- Tend to your needs and honor one another with grace.
- Police Liaison: Tom Riggs
- Media Liaisons: Rev. Drew Hogan & Rev. Heather Riggs
- If we need to move for any reason we will move south.
- We will only use battery powered lights or the lights on our phones.
- Do not cross the tracks and keep the bike path clear.
Call to Worship & Lighting Advent Candles
(ONE) We gather in the shadow of empire, fear, and surveillance; when hope seems lost.
Yet God says there is another way: HOPE enters in and shines like a flickering candle.
(ALL) The Light Enters! ¡La Luz Entra!
(ONE) Injustice and war overflow abroad and in the war against our immigrant neighbors that comes through masked mercenaries.
Yet God says there is another way: PEACE enters in and shines like a flickering candle.
(ALL) The Light Enters! ¡La Luz Entra!
(ONE) ICE Raids have forced families into hiding and isolation.
Yet God says there is another way: JOY enters in and shines like a flickering candle.
(ALL) The Light Enters! ¡La Luz Entra!
(ONE) Hatred has become the currency that has sold our neighbors as enemies.
Yet God says there is another way: LOVE enters in and shines like a flickering candle.
(ALL) The Light Enters! ¡La Luz Entra!
(ONE) Humanity has been denied in ICE Detention Centers and people have been stripped of their dignity.
Yet God says there is another way: LOVE through Jesus born today. LOVE enters in and shines like a flickering candle.
(ALL) The Light Enters! ¡La Luz Entra!
Carol: “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”
1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
2. Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
First Reading (Responsive) | Based on Isaiah 9:2-7
(ALL) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
(ONE) Those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
(ALL) A light has shined on them.
(ONE) You have multiplied exultation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
For all the boots of the tramping warriors, the unmarked cars, the garments rolled in blood, and the face coverings shall be burned as fuel for the fires of Justice.
(ALL) For a child has been born for us.
(ONE) Authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Parent,
(ALL) Prince of Peace!
(ONE) Great will be his authority,
and there shall be endless peace.
(ALL) There shall be justice and righteousness
(ONE) those who live in a land of deep darkness—
(ALL) A light shines!
Sung Response: “Canticle of Turning”
1. My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
3. From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears ev’ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn;
There are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
4. Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound,
‘Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
Text: Luke 1:46-58; Rory Cooney, b.1952, © 1990, GIA Publications, Inc.
Prayer with Sung Refrain
“When the night becomes dark” (Taizé)
R: When the night becomes dark, your love O Lord is a fire, your love O Lord is a fire. (Repeat)
God of Love, shine your light into us and transform our thoughts and prayers into action and policy change. Remind us daily that you commanded us to welcome the foreigner and to share your love.
God, meet us in the darkness….
R: When the night becomes dark, your love O Lord is a fire, your love O Lord is a fire.
Mothering God, work a miracle for every family who has lost contact with their loved ones, especially children. May they know your abiding presence in the darkness they know.
God, meet us in the darkness….
R: When the night becomes dark, your love O Lord is a fire, your love O Lord is a fire.
God of Justice, we pray for the leaders of this world who believe in a gospel of domination and fear. We pray your light would transform their hearts.
God of Grace, help us to have productive conversations with those who have been deceived into supporting oppression and injustice.
God, meet us in the darkness….
R: When the night becomes dark, your love O Lord is a fire, your love O Lord is a fire.
God of Hope, share your dream with us, again, of a light that breaks into the dark and becomes the fire that warms us, and moves us to action, again and again.
God, meet us in the darkness….
R: When the night becomes dark, your love O Lord is a fire, your love O Lord is a fire.
Second Reading (Responsive) | Based on Psalm 96
(ONE) It’s Time for a New song
(ALL) Let the whole earth sing
(ONE) Let Frogs Dance and Unicorns sing
(ALL) Shouting for justice from the sidewalks and in the streets
(ONE) Get out the message!
(ALL) There will be justice!
(ONE) Let’s hear it from sky:
(ALL) And a huge round of applause from the Sea
(ONE) Let the Wilderness turn cartwheels,
(ALL) Animals, come dance
(ONE) Put every tree of the forest in the choir!
(ALL) The whole earth joining in
(ONE) Jesus comes as a brown man camping in a barn
(ALL) He’s coming to set the captives free
Sung Response: “Toda la tierra (All Earth is Waiting)”
1. All earth is waiting to see the Promised One,
And the open furrows, the sowing of the Lord.
All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty;
it cries out for justice and searches for the truth.
2. Toda la tierra espera al Salvador
y el surco abierto, la obra del Señor;
es el mundo que lucha por la libertad,
reclama justicia y busca la verdad.
3. Mountains and valleys will have to be made plain,
open new highways, new highways for our God,
He is now coming closer, so come all and see,
and open the doorways as wide as wide can be.
Text: Luke 1:46-58; Rory Cooney, b.1952, © 1990, GIA Publications, Inc.
A Word from the Community
Carol: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
1. O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie;
above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
4. O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin, and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel!
Third Reading | Luke 2:1-7 (FNV)
When the time drew close for Bitter Tears (Mary) to have her child, the government of the People of Iron (Romans) ordered that the people be numbered and put on government rolls. This happened during the time that Powerful Protector (Quirinius) was the governor of Bright Sun (Syria). All the Tribal Members were required to travel to their own ancestral village to register.
He Gives Sons (Joseph) and Bitter Tears (Mary) set out on a long journey from Seed Planter Village (Nazareth) in Circle of Nations (Galilee), to House of Bread (Bethlehem) in the Land of Promise (Judea), the village of their ancestor, the great chief Much Loved One (David).
The journey took several long days and cold nights as they traveled over high hills and through the dry desert. When they arrived, tired and weary, they entered the crowded village.
The time for Bitter Tears (Mary) to have her child was upon her! But no place could be found in the lodging house, so He Gives Sons (Joseph)found a sheep cave where it was warm and dry. There she gave birth to her son. They wrapped him in a soft, warm blanket and laid him on a baby board. Then they placed him on a bed of straw in a feeding trough.
Holy words shared across generation and language,
(ALL) Thanks be to God
Carol: “Away in a Manger”
1. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
2. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes;
I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
3. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.
Fourth Reading | Luke 2:8-20 (FNV)
That night, in the fields nearby, shepherds were keeping watch over their sheep. Suddenly a great light from above was shining all around them. A spirit-messenger from Creator appeared to them. They shook with fear and trembled as the messenger said to them, “Do not fear! I bring you the good story that will be told to all nations. Today in the village of Much Loved One (David) an Honored Chief has been born who will set his people free. He is the Chosen One!”
The spirit-messenger continued, “This is how you will know him—you will find the child wrapped in a blanket and lying in a feeding trough.”
Suddenly, next to the messenger, a great number of spirit-warriors from the spirit-world above appeared giving thanks to Creator, saying, “All honor to the One Above Us All, and let peace and good will follow all who walk upon the earth.”
When the messengers returned to the spirit-world above, the shepherds said to each other, “Let us go and see this great thing Creator has told to us.” So they hurried to the village of Chief Much Loved One (David) and found Bitter Tears (Mary), He Gives Sons (Joseph), and the child, who, just as they were told, was lying in a feeding trough!
The shepherds began to tell everyone what they had seen and heard about this child, and all who heard their story were amazed.
Bitter Tears (Mary) kept these things hidden in her heart and wondered what all this would mean. The shepherds returned to their fields, giving thanks to the Great Spirit for the wonders they had seen and heard.
Holy words shared across generation and language,
(ALL) Thanks be to God
Homily
Carol: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
1. Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King;
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”
2. Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’ incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!”
3. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”
Fifth Reading | John 1:1-5 (NRSVUE)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it.
Sharing The Light
We invite you to continue this sacred act and pass the light to your neighbor and wait to turn on your electric candle, or your cell phone flashlight until someone turns to you and says,
The Light Enters! ¡La Luz Entra!
Carol: “Silent Night“
1. 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.
2. 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!
3. Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light;
radiant beams from thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
4. Silent night, holy night,
wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!
Sharing The Light
(ONE) May the presence of Christ be a light breaking into the darkness.
May our neighbors targeted by ICE have a silent night where they know Christ is with and for them.
And May we respond through the grace of God, who is inviting us to participate in the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of God.
The Light Enters! ¡La Luz Entra!
(ALL) The Light Enters! ¡La Luz Entra!
Merry Christmas!
May you continue to be a witness for the light breaking into the darkness!
We invite you to continue this sacred work of solidarity!
____
Share this with people who may have not been able to attend. Learn more about partner organizations below, and consider giving to them in their work. … plus making a donation in honor of someone is a great way to give a last-minute gift that goes towards transforming a life; especially, when a person is confronted with the darkness of empire.
PIRC - Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition
Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) provides legal support, supports families that have been impacted by ICE, and maintains the community hotline for reporting ICE activity. This is a vital organization providing response and support for our most vulnerable neighbors.
IMIrJ - Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice
IMIrJ’s (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice) mission is to accompany and equip communities and people of faith in Oregon to advance immigrant justice through the direct accompaniment of immigrants facing detention and deportation, policy advocacy at local, state, and national levels, and purposeful organizing. Through networks of relationships, we create a more just world for immigrants, migrants, and asylum seekers by taking immediate humanitarian action and long-term collective, intentional action.
Supporting IMIrJ allows us to support the work of supporting families facing the wake of chaos left behind after ICE detains a family member.
Resources for Reporting and Protecting Your Neighbors
The Latino Network is a Latine-led organization that believes in the power of education and community. They are deeply rooted in culturally specific practices, dedicated to uplifting our youth, their families, and our community to achieve their fullest potential through programming centered on arts, culture, education, health, advocacy, and more.
Resources for Reporting and Protecting Your Neighbors
You can find vital resources like information on the PIRC Hotline for reporting ICE Activity, Know Your Rights resources, and Migrawatch Resources by clicking the link below. Share these resources with your neighbors so that you’re prepared in how to respond.
Additional Stories
You can read more and learn about more of our neighbor’s stories of those who have been impacted by ICE with the following links:
KPTV | Beaverton family says father was arrested by ICE, sent to Mexico within 10 hours (11/24/2025)
https://reason.com/2025/10/30/a-portland-family-says-their-dad-was-wrongly-arrested-by-ice-now-hes-lost-in-immigration-detention/