Christmas Day
Worship
More Services for the Advent Wreath
For Lectionary Cycle A
Object:
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.)
Date:
Reader A:
Reader B:
Introit
(As the introit is being sung, Readers A and B come forward and stand by the Advent wreath until the music is finished.)
Litany
Reader A: Please turn to the litany in your bulletins.
(Pause as they do so.)
The one who comes from above is above all;
the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.
The one who comes from heaven is above all.
Scripture
Reader B: Listen to these beautiful words from Isaiah, the prophet:
Reader A: How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.
Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
Lighting Of The Christ Candle
Reader B: Today, we do not light the Advent candles. Rather, we light the center candle: the Christ candle. Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
(While Reader B is reading, Reader A uses the small candle at the back of the wreath to take the light from the altar candle and transfer it to the center candle only. DO NOT light the other candles. Extinguish the small candle and return it to the back of the wreath.)
Prayer
Reader B: Let us pray:
Almighty God, this is the great and wonderful day in which we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus. For it is for our salvation that he came. We give you thanks and praise for your act of divine love by sending him to us. Amen.
Introit
(As the introit is being sung again, the readers may be seated.)
Date:
Reader A:
Reader B:
Introit
(As the introit is being sung, Readers A and B come forward and stand by the Advent wreath until the music is finished.)
Litany
Reader A: Please turn to the litany in your bulletins.
(Pause as they do so.)
The one who comes from above is above all;
the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.
The one who comes from heaven is above all.
Scripture
Reader B: Listen to these beautiful words from Isaiah, the prophet:
Reader A: How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.
Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
Lighting Of The Christ Candle
Reader B: Today, we do not light the Advent candles. Rather, we light the center candle: the Christ candle. Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
(While Reader B is reading, Reader A uses the small candle at the back of the wreath to take the light from the altar candle and transfer it to the center candle only. DO NOT light the other candles. Extinguish the small candle and return it to the back of the wreath.)
Prayer
Reader B: Let us pray:
Almighty God, this is the great and wonderful day in which we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus. For it is for our salvation that he came. We give you thanks and praise for your act of divine love by sending him to us. Amen.
Introit
(As the introit is being sung again, the readers may be seated.)
