+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. To all who received him he gave power to become children of God.
Morning Reading: John 1:1-18 (ESV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
Morning Prayer
With humble confidence we turn to Christ the Lord, whose grace has been revealed for the salvation of all mankind. Lord, have mercy on us.
+ Christ, radiance of God’s glory, sustaining the universe with your all-powerful word, give us life today through the power of Your gospel.
+ Christ, Liberator of the whole human race, give all mankind the freedom needed to do Your will.
+ Christ, eternal Son of the Father, yet born for us in the stable at Bethlehem, help Your Church to be ever detached from the unnecessary things of this world.
+ Christ, Son of David, fulfillment of the prophecies, may the Jewish people accept You as their awaited Deliverer.
All-powerful, ever-living God, we thank You for the human birth of Your Son, which is the source and perfection of our Christian life and worship. Number us among His people, for the salvation of all mankind is found in Him, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
“We Shall Behold Him” – Sandi Patty
Blessing
The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Sentence
The Lord has made known His salvation. He has revealed His saving power, alleluia, alleluia.
Morning Reading: Hebrews 1:1-2 NLT
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.
Morning Reading: Luke 2:36-40 NLT
The Prophet Anna Aurelio Bruni
Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.
When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
Morning Prayer
Most loving Son of God, in whom all things are restored by the Father’s will, hear our prayers:
+ Son of God, in the fullness of time You became a man: share with us Your love for everyone.
+ You emptied Yourself to enrich us with Your glory: make us selfless ministers of Your gospel.
+ You brought light into the darkness of our lives: guide all our actions in the ways of virtue, justice and peace.
+ May our hearts be disposed to hear Your word and so be able to do good for ourselves and for our fellow-men.
Almighty God and Father, the human birth of Your Only-Begotten Son was the beginning of new life. May He set us free from the tyranny of sin. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
“Newborn” – MercyMe
Hallelujah the newborn has come | Hallelujah the newborn has come | Hallelujah the newborn has come | Hallelujah the newborn has come
Come and be born new | Our King has come, come to us | Come and be born new | Our King has come, come to us | Come and be born new | Our King has come, come to us | Come and be born new
Blessing
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24-25)
+ In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
Shepherds, tell us whom you have seen! Who has appeared on earth? ‘We have seen the newborn child and we have heard the choirs of angels praising the Lord. Alleluia.’
Morning Reading: Hebrews 1:1-2 NLT
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.
Morning Reading: Luke 2:8-20 NLT
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
Morning Prayer
In His loving kindness, God sent us Christ, the Prince of Peace. Let us therefore trustfully declare:
+ Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, accept our praise this Christmastide, as Your people celebrate Your saving love.
+ You promised a Savior to Abraham and his sons: this Christmas we welcome His coming into our midst.
+ May the Messiah bring salvation to the Jewish people and all who wait for Him in faith and in hope.
+ The birth of your Son was proclaimed by angels, preached by apostles, witnessed to by martyrs, celebrated in the Church: may the message of peace ring out again in our world.
Father, all-powerful and unseen God, You dispelled the shadows of this world when Christ, the true Light, dawned upon us. Look favorably upon us, Lord, and we will praise and glorify His birth as man. Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
“Do Not Be Afraid” – JJ Weeks Band
Shepherd’s in the field | Cattle on the hill | Stars up in the sky like diamonds in the night. | Then an angel appears with a voice so clear | Peace on the earth | No need to fear | For unto you a child is born
Do not be afraid | Cause I bring good news | A Savior is born | God’s gift to you | Do not be dismayed | Cause help is on the way | A Savior is born today | Good news | Do Not Be Afraid
[
The brilliant star shown bright to wise men in the night | they traveled far to see the long awaited king | In a manger full of hay born this Christmas Day | The name above all names let the whole world proclaim | That Christ is born
Do not be afraid | Cause I bring good news | A Savior is born | God’s gift to you | Do not be dismayed | Cause help is on the way | A Savior is born today | Good news | Do Not Be Afraid
Glory to God in highest | Peace on earth peace on earth
Blessing
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24-25)
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
Let us adore the new-born Christ: today he has given the Holy Innocents the martyrs’ crown.
Hymn: “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”
Morning Reading: Jeremiah 31:15 NLT
This is what the Lord says: “A cry is heard in Ramah— deep anguish and bitter weeping. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted— for her children are gone.”
Morning Reading: Matthew 2:13-18 NLT
The Triumph of the Innocents William Holman Hunt, 1883-4 The Tate Museum
After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”
Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A cry was heard in Ramah— weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.”
Morning Prayer
Lord Jesus, even at Your birth, You met with the hatred of men, and children were the first to suffer for Your sake. We proclaim our trust in You:
+ As You were persecuted, so will be Your brothers. Lord Jesus, we look to You for help.
+ You committed no sin: yet You, like us, were called to suffer. Help us to take up our cross and follow You.
+ The Holy Innocents were Your silent witnesses: may we proclaim You to others by word and deed. Speak, Lord, to us and through us.
+ As a child You were persecuted and driven into exile: save all the children of men, in exile or under persecution. Save, too, the children as yet unborn.
Lord God, the Holy Innocents bore witness to You not by speaking but by dying. Grant that the faith we proclaim in words may be borne out by deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Hymn: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name “ – Michael W Smith
Canticle
Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities— for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him! (Psalms 2:10-12 NLT)
Blessing
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24-25)
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening Sentence and Prayer:
As we continue our Christmas celebration, we honor the Holy Family of Jesus and entrust our families to God’s care in the New Year.
_____
As Your sons and daughters, O loving God, we come before You in thanksgiving, called and united by Your eternal Word. Teach us to ponder the mystery of Nazareth, that we may always find in You the source of our strength and the unity of our families. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever.
__________
Hymn: “O Come All Ye Faithful” at Westminster Abbey
__________
A Reading from the Old Testament: 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28 (NLT)
[Hannah presents her child to the Lord, just as Mary and Joseph later did for Jesus.]
In due time Hannah gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”
The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer a sacrifice to the Lord and to keep his vow. But Hannah did not go. She told her husband, “Wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him there with the Lord permanently. ”
When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine. After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord , and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.
__________
A Reading from Psalms: Psalm 105:1-9 (NLT)
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord . Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.
He is the Lord our God. His justice is seen throughout the land. He always stands by his covenant— the commitment he made to a thousand generations. This is the covenant he made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac.
__________
“Give Thanks to the Lord (Psalm 105)” – Sean Dayton
__________
A Reading from the Letters: 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24 (NLT)
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.
_____
And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him. And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.
__________
A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:41-52 (NLT)
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.
When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant.
Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
__________
Hymn: “Savior of the World” – Hillsong
__________
Intercessions:
God looks with love on all of creation: let us approach His throne of grace with confidence:
+ For all the members of the Christian family – that joy and peace may be theirs through the Christmas celebration…. Lord, hear us.
+ For homeless families, and refugees – that they may be protected and provided for…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the families in our communities – that the Word made flesh may be at the centre of every home…. Lord, hear us.
+ For familes where there is hurt or difficulty – that those who have suffered may find healing…. Lord, hear us.
+ For Christians facing persecution, that Saint Stephen, the first martyr, may inspire them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people who are sick, and for all our families and friends in hospital or living in nursing homes – that we may not forget to pray for them and honour them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died recently, especially from conflict in the Middle East, and for all we have known who have died during the year 2015 whom we remember now – that the light of heaven may be theirs. Lord, hear us.
God our creator, Your strength sustains Your people all their days: hear our prayers and stay with us throughout the New Year, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________
Hymn: “God rest ye merry gentlemen” – Mercy Me
__________
Benediction:
(May you) grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 