Christmas Eve | Sunday 24 Dec 2023: Isaiah 62:11-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:8-20 ~ “Glory to God in the highest heaven!”

Christmas Eve | Sunday 24 Dec 2023

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

O God, you have caused this holy night
to shine with the brightness of the true Light:
Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth,
may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven;
where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns,
one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

“Today your Savior, Christ the Lord,
was born in David’s city.”
(Luke 2:11)

__________

Once In Royal David’s City (Christmas Carols on ITV 2018)

__________

From the Prophets: Isaiah 62:11-12 (GW)

62:11 The Lord has announced to the ends of the earth:
“Tell my people Zion,
‘Your Savior is coming.
His reward is with him,
and the people he has won arrive ahead of him.’ ”

They will be called Holy People, Those Reclaimed by the Lord,
and you will be called Sought After, a City Not Deserted.

__________

From the Psalms: Psalm 97 ~ Ian White

__________

From the Epistles: Titus 3:4-7 (GW)

3:4 However, when God our Savior made his kindness and love for humanity appear, he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal. God poured a generous amount of the Spirit on us through Jesus Christ our Savior. As a result, God in his kindness has given us his approval and we have become heirs who have the confidence that we have everlasting life.

__________

Gloria/Angels We Have Heard on High ~ (Casting Crowns)

__________

From the Gospels: Luke 2:8-20 (GW)

Angels Announce the Birth of Jesus

2:8 Shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem. They were taking turns watching their flock during the night. An angel from the Lord suddenly appeared to them. The glory of the Lord filled the area with light, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, a message that will fill everyone with joy. Today your Savior, Christ the Lord, was born in David’s city. This is how you will recognize him: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, a large army of angels appeared with the angel. They were praising God by saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those who have his good will!”

The angels left them and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.”

They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby, who was lying in a manger. When they saw the child, they repeated what they had been told about him. Everyone who heard the shepherds’ story was amazed.

Mary treasured all these things in her heart and always thought about them.

As the shepherds returned to their flock, they glorified and praised God for everything they had seen and heard. Everything happened the way the angel had told them.

O Holy Night – Fellowship Creative