CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP DESIGN

To begin, the sanctuary is dimly lit. A wooden manger stands in a central location in the front of the sanctuary, perhaps in front of the altar. The front of the sanctuary is decorated with red poinsettias, with the exception of one white poinsettia, which is located in the manger. The sanctuary may have a Christmas tree up front as well, but this remains unlit for the beginning of the service.

GATHERING

GATHERING HYMN: “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful”

CALL TO WORSHIPP: Come to the manger, you who have wandered;C: We come seeking forgiveness and joy.

P: Come to the manger, you who are weary;C: We come seeking rest and hope.

P: Come to the manger, you who mourn;C: We come seeking comfort and peace.

P: Come to the manger, you who hunger;C: We come seeking the Bread of Life.

P: Come to the manger, you who seek unending joy and steadfast love;C: We come seeking our Savior. We come seeking the Christ, the newborn King!

At this point of the service, all lights should be turned on in the sanctuary as the introduction of “Joy to the World” is played. The Christmas tree should be plugged in, and flood lights should shine on the manger (if setup allows).

HYMN OF PRAISE: “Joy to the World”

PRAYER OF THE DAY: O God, you gave us the most precious gift of all on that Christmas so long ago, a babe born in a stable in Bethlehem. Christ came to us as a bundle of joy and love, wrapped tenderly in swaddling clothes. Help us to share that gift of joy and love with those around us each and every day of our lives; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

THE WORD

FIRST READING: Isaiah 9:2, 6-72 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. 6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

CHRISTMAS CAROL: “Angels We Have Heard on High”

SECOND READING: Titus 2:11-1411 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

CHRISTMAS CAROL: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Note for Gospel reading: Accompaniment from Jim Brickman’s “Rejoice” begins on verse 30 with the bolded words: “Do not be afraid, Mary.” The Congregation then joins in singing refrain from “Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel” as indicated throughout.1

GOSPEL READING: Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-1426 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God." 38 Then Mary

1 Please note, both Jim Brickman songs referenced (“Rejoice” and “Blessings”) come from his piano book entitled “Peace.”

said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

C: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."

C: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. (pause)C: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

CHRISTMAS CAROL: “Away in a Manger” (v.1 as children come forward)

CHILDREN’S SERMON

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY: “The First Noel”

APOSTLES’ CREED

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCHP: O God, in the midst of holiday commercialism, with last minute shoppers and preparations, bring us back to the warmth and simplicity of the stable. Bring us back to the joy and love found in the manger that first Christmas, to the true meaning of our celebration tonight. (A brief silence)

P: In this season of celebration, help us remember and reach out to those who feel little reason to celebrate, those who feel the loss of loved ones, health, or employment. We remember especially those from our congregation and community who have prayer requests (names may be inserted here). Help restore hope to their lives in the midst of their brokenness. Lord, in your mercy,C: Hear our prayer.

P: Just as Christ came to us in the midst of a world of unrest so long ago, help us to find Christ in the midst of our unrest today. In our war-torn world, help us seek an everlasting peace, a peace that only you can give. We pray for all those serving in our military overseas and ask that you would bring them all safely home. Lord, in your mercy, C: Hear our prayer.

P: In the midst of our celebration, may we be ever mindful that Jesus came with a purpose, that he was laid on the wood of a manger at birth, and later nailed to the wood of a cross for the sake of all humanity. We thank you for the gift of his life and ministry, and we thank you for the gift of his resurrection. Lord, in your mercy,C: Hear our prayer.

P: We pray for peace, joy and love to rule in all of our hearts, not only this Christmas, but every day throughout the year. Help us to receive Christ with open arms and to share his presence with all those we meet. Lord, in your mercy,C: Hear our prayer.

P: Into your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.C: Amen.

OFFERING

OFFERATORY: “What Child Is This”

OFFERATORY PRAYERP: Let us pray. Blessed are you, O God,C: maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

THE MEAL

THE GREAT THANKSGIVINGHOLY, HOLY, HOLYTHE LORD’S PRAYERTHE INVITATION

We have an open Communion Table.

All who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord are welcome.

COMMUNION HYMNS“Lamb of God”“O Little Town of Bethlehem”“It Came upon the Midnight Clear”

BLESSING

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES

Members of the congregation each hold a small candle, and these are lit to begin the candlelight portion of the service. Until all of the congregational candles are lit, accompanist plays Jim Brickman’s song, “Blessings.” Once all candles have been lit, transition to “Silent Night.” After hymn has been sung, candles are extinguished.

CHRISTMAS CAROL: “Silent Night, Holy Night!”

SENDING

BLESSING & DISMISSAL

SENDING HYMN: “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”