Christmas Eve
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: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
Scripture
Reader B: Listen to Paul's wonderful words to Titus as he explains the reason for Christ's coming:
Reader A: For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope -- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Lighting Of The Christ Candle
Reader B: Tonight, 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 eve of the 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: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
Scripture
Reader B: Listen to Paul's wonderful words to Titus as he explains the reason for Christ's coming:
Reader A: For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope -- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Lighting Of The Christ Candle
Reader B: Tonight, 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 eve of the 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.)
