{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, worship service Wednesday, December 24, 2025","description":"Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, preaching Worship service given December 24, 2025 Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister Reading of "Each Night a Child is Born," by Sophia Lyon Fahs, read by Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education https:\/\/firstparish.info\/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 The Christmas Eve services, a highlight of the season, occur twice due to the number of people attending.   The service features the lighting of candles, organ fanfares and children reading the ancient tale.  Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong offers a homily. As is our annual tradition, we welcome musical guests - Brendan Mathieson, trumpet, Mark Nelson, organist, and Lucas Fernandez, vocalist. ASL interpretation provided by Rachel Judelson and Rebecca Kranz. Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For Christmas Eve, the full amount of gifts given supported the work of Renewal House, a domestic violence shelter for individuals in crisis and their children. Since 1980 Renewal House has provided temporary emergency shelter and advocacy services as part of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry. ","author_name":"Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts","author_url":"https:\/\/firstparish.info","html":"