Christmas Eve/Day
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Liturgical Color: White
Gospel: Luke 2:1-10 or John 1:1-14
Theme: The Time Is Now! "The miracle of Christ was not his birth but his love."
We Return To Advent
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Select a family to light the candles well in advance. Remember that families sometimes consist of one person; or, ask single people to work together.
Hymn of Advent
"To a Maid Engaged to Joseph," Gracia Grindal, 1984; Rusty Edwards, 1984.
Prayer of Praise
Summarize the event of Advent in your prayer.
We Visit The Savior
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Select another family to light this candle.
Hymn of Christmas
"O Come, All Ye Faithful," John Francis Wade, c. 1740-1743; trans. Frederick Oakeley, 1841; harm. The English Hymnal, 1906.
Declaration of Joyful Expectations
Pastor and Ministers
P: Shalom! Peace! God continue with you!
M: We're glad we're here! But what does our presence mean? Who knows or cares that we're here?
P: Someone knows all about you.
M: Yes, we know that we're counted among the living. We know that we're on record because we have been counted.
P: There's more to it than your being counted. The really up-to-date news is that you are known by someone more than a computer.
M: And how do we know this?
P: Because of the good news we have through Jesus the Christ who taught us to live.
M: Alleluia to the Savior! Amen to the sovereign!
Prayer of Praise
O God, our Parent, who has brought us again to this familiar season, grant that Christ's spirit will be born anew in our hearts, minds, wills, and that we will welcome his reign over us. Open our eyes that we might see Christ as he descends on the ages. Open our ears that we might hear the angelic chorus which sang of his birth. Open our hearts that we might give of ourselves more freely to him and to each other. Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, good will toward all, through Christ, the risen Lord.
In The Presence Of The Savior, We Examine Ourselves
Prayer of Examination
Here we are, Lord, offering an hour of our lives to you again, hopeful that our other hours may be made more useful and meaningful. To be honest, Lord, we offer this hour as a symbol -- a symbol that our entire life is lived out in your presence. So be it. Again today we're mainly saying, "Happy Birthday, Jesus, we're glad you came." We often get carried away with sentiment and get lost in nostalgia about his birth, but we want it to mean something deeper and more permanent. We know that he grew up and became an adult. We know he did your will with a radical obedience; and we know he died an unjust, horrible death at the hands of people just like us. We know, God, we know. That's why we want to celebrate his birth again. We can welcome a child into our lives, but we can't always welcome an adult ... who is good enough to be honest with us, and loving enough to be gentle with us, and forgiving enough to forget our betrayals of him. So forgive us our sentimental journeys and nostalgia about your Son, O God, and use them to reach into the depths of our lives where we have ulcers and migraine headaches ... where we have sexual urges and urges to kill ... where we get overwhelmed by masses of people and meetings and paperwork ... and making a living. Reach us again this Christmas, we pray, for we need another shot of hope and courage. We need another sighting of a star signaling your reality in the world. We need another vision of angelic joy and enthusiasm; and another touch of your soft, warm love. That's why we're here, Lord: giving ourselves to you. Give ourselves back to us, we pray, with the imprint of your love, your joy, and your peace. And, all the people said ...*
Hearing The Word
(Prepare early by inviting several people to read the Scriptures from throughout the sanctuary. Make certain that everyone can hear them; that is essential.)
Lesson One: Genesis 3:8-15. God announces in the Garden of Eden that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent's head.
Response (Adult Choir): "The Lord At First Did Adam Make," from "Some Ancient Christmas Carols," 1822.
Lesson Two: Genesis 22:15-18. God promises to faithful, though incredulous, Abraham that in his seed the nations of the earth shall be blessed.
Response (Adult Choir): "Let All Together Praise Our God," Nikolaus Hermann, 1485-1561.
Lesson Three: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7. Christ's birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah.
Response (Adult Choir): "On This Day Earth Shall Ring," from Piae Cantiones, 1582.
Lesson Four: Isaiah 11:1; 2:2-9. The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.
Response (Congregation): "Lo, How a Rose," Geistliche Kirchengesand, 1599.
Lesson Five: Luke 1:26-35, 38. The angel Gabriel salutes Mary.
Response (Adult Choir): "Magnificat," Lloyd Vick, 1973.
Lesson Six: Luke 2:1, 3-7. Luke tells of Jesus' birth.
Response (Soloist) "Do You Know the Newborn Child?" thirteenth century Plainsong.
Lesson Seven: Luke 2:8-16. The shepherds are in on the action.
Response (Children's Choir): "Hark, Now, O Shepherds," Czechoslovakian Carol.
Lesson Eight: Matthew 2:1-11. The Wise Men are led by the star to Jesus.
Response (Congregation): "What Child Is This," English ballad, sixteenth century.
Lesson Nine: John 1:1-14 (Congregation stands) John unfolds the mystery of the incarnation.
Response (Adult Choir): "A Boy Is Born," Elis, Pehkonen, 1968.
Meditation: "Giving and Receiving," comments from members of the congregation. (See Advent 3, the stewardship challenge.)
Response (Congregation): "Angels We Have Heard On High."
Prayer Response of Thanksgiving and Commitment to the World's Savior and Lord
Ceremony Of Candle Lighting
Make the instructions of candlelighting very clear. During the lighting of the candles, have the choir sing, "No Candle Was There and No Fire," Lehman.
Sentence Prayers of the People
Carol: "Silent Night, Holy Night."
Charge to the Congregation: "Now that I am older, I am no longer in need of that abundant merriness in which I almost buried the Prince of Peace" (Dana Sargent).
Benediction and Response: (Everyone): "Go Tell It On the Mountain."
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Christmas carols.
Meditation: "Christian hope never suggests that there will be no great difficulties ahead; it does declare, in the long run, that there will be no defeat of God's purpose -- because Love is Sovereign forever" (author unknown).
____________
*Frank D. Medsker, Ft. Collins, Colorado 80522. Used by permission. First used, First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire, Iowa, 12/31/72.
Gospel: Luke 2:1-10 or John 1:1-14
Theme: The Time Is Now! "The miracle of Christ was not his birth but his love."
We Return To Advent
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Select a family to light the candles well in advance. Remember that families sometimes consist of one person; or, ask single people to work together.
Hymn of Advent
"To a Maid Engaged to Joseph," Gracia Grindal, 1984; Rusty Edwards, 1984.
Prayer of Praise
Summarize the event of Advent in your prayer.
We Visit The Savior
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Select another family to light this candle.
Hymn of Christmas
"O Come, All Ye Faithful," John Francis Wade, c. 1740-1743; trans. Frederick Oakeley, 1841; harm. The English Hymnal, 1906.
Declaration of Joyful Expectations
Pastor and Ministers
P: Shalom! Peace! God continue with you!
M: We're glad we're here! But what does our presence mean? Who knows or cares that we're here?
P: Someone knows all about you.
M: Yes, we know that we're counted among the living. We know that we're on record because we have been counted.
P: There's more to it than your being counted. The really up-to-date news is that you are known by someone more than a computer.
M: And how do we know this?
P: Because of the good news we have through Jesus the Christ who taught us to live.
M: Alleluia to the Savior! Amen to the sovereign!
Prayer of Praise
O God, our Parent, who has brought us again to this familiar season, grant that Christ's spirit will be born anew in our hearts, minds, wills, and that we will welcome his reign over us. Open our eyes that we might see Christ as he descends on the ages. Open our ears that we might hear the angelic chorus which sang of his birth. Open our hearts that we might give of ourselves more freely to him and to each other. Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, good will toward all, through Christ, the risen Lord.
In The Presence Of The Savior, We Examine Ourselves
Prayer of Examination
Here we are, Lord, offering an hour of our lives to you again, hopeful that our other hours may be made more useful and meaningful. To be honest, Lord, we offer this hour as a symbol -- a symbol that our entire life is lived out in your presence. So be it. Again today we're mainly saying, "Happy Birthday, Jesus, we're glad you came." We often get carried away with sentiment and get lost in nostalgia about his birth, but we want it to mean something deeper and more permanent. We know that he grew up and became an adult. We know he did your will with a radical obedience; and we know he died an unjust, horrible death at the hands of people just like us. We know, God, we know. That's why we want to celebrate his birth again. We can welcome a child into our lives, but we can't always welcome an adult ... who is good enough to be honest with us, and loving enough to be gentle with us, and forgiving enough to forget our betrayals of him. So forgive us our sentimental journeys and nostalgia about your Son, O God, and use them to reach into the depths of our lives where we have ulcers and migraine headaches ... where we have sexual urges and urges to kill ... where we get overwhelmed by masses of people and meetings and paperwork ... and making a living. Reach us again this Christmas, we pray, for we need another shot of hope and courage. We need another sighting of a star signaling your reality in the world. We need another vision of angelic joy and enthusiasm; and another touch of your soft, warm love. That's why we're here, Lord: giving ourselves to you. Give ourselves back to us, we pray, with the imprint of your love, your joy, and your peace. And, all the people said ...*
Hearing The Word
(Prepare early by inviting several people to read the Scriptures from throughout the sanctuary. Make certain that everyone can hear them; that is essential.)
Lesson One: Genesis 3:8-15. God announces in the Garden of Eden that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent's head.
Response (Adult Choir): "The Lord At First Did Adam Make," from "Some Ancient Christmas Carols," 1822.
Lesson Two: Genesis 22:15-18. God promises to faithful, though incredulous, Abraham that in his seed the nations of the earth shall be blessed.
Response (Adult Choir): "Let All Together Praise Our God," Nikolaus Hermann, 1485-1561.
Lesson Three: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7. Christ's birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah.
Response (Adult Choir): "On This Day Earth Shall Ring," from Piae Cantiones, 1582.
Lesson Four: Isaiah 11:1; 2:2-9. The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.
Response (Congregation): "Lo, How a Rose," Geistliche Kirchengesand, 1599.
Lesson Five: Luke 1:26-35, 38. The angel Gabriel salutes Mary.
Response (Adult Choir): "Magnificat," Lloyd Vick, 1973.
Lesson Six: Luke 2:1, 3-7. Luke tells of Jesus' birth.
Response (Soloist) "Do You Know the Newborn Child?" thirteenth century Plainsong.
Lesson Seven: Luke 2:8-16. The shepherds are in on the action.
Response (Children's Choir): "Hark, Now, O Shepherds," Czechoslovakian Carol.
Lesson Eight: Matthew 2:1-11. The Wise Men are led by the star to Jesus.
Response (Congregation): "What Child Is This," English ballad, sixteenth century.
Lesson Nine: John 1:1-14 (Congregation stands) John unfolds the mystery of the incarnation.
Response (Adult Choir): "A Boy Is Born," Elis, Pehkonen, 1968.
Meditation: "Giving and Receiving," comments from members of the congregation. (See Advent 3, the stewardship challenge.)
Response (Congregation): "Angels We Have Heard On High."
Prayer Response of Thanksgiving and Commitment to the World's Savior and Lord
Ceremony Of Candle Lighting
Make the instructions of candlelighting very clear. During the lighting of the candles, have the choir sing, "No Candle Was There and No Fire," Lehman.
Sentence Prayers of the People
Carol: "Silent Night, Holy Night."
Charge to the Congregation: "Now that I am older, I am no longer in need of that abundant merriness in which I almost buried the Prince of Peace" (Dana Sargent).
Benediction and Response: (Everyone): "Go Tell It On the Mountain."
Music for Dismissal: Medley of Christmas carols.
Meditation: "Christian hope never suggests that there will be no great difficulties ahead; it does declare, in the long run, that there will be no defeat of God's purpose -- because Love is Sovereign forever" (author unknown).
____________
*Frank D. Medsker, Ft. Collins, Colorado 80522. Used by permission. First used, First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire, Iowa, 12/31/72.
