Iowa UMC Conference Blue Christmas Service from Iowa Annual Conference on Vimeo . Blue Christmas Sermon - Finding Our Voice Rev. Dr. Lanette Plambeck A reading from the Gospel of Luke Chapter 1:8-25. One day, Zechariah was serving as a priest before God, because his priestly division was on duty. Following the customs of priestly service. He was chosen by lottery, to go into the Lord's sanctuary and burn incense. All the people who gathered to worship were praying outside during this hour of incense offering. An angel of the Lord appeared to him standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled, and fear overcame him. The angel said, “Don't be afraid Zechariah your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son. And you must name him John. He will be a joy and a delight to you and many people will rejoice by his birth, for he will be great in the Lord's eyes. He must not drink wine and liquor. He will be...