+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentences:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
Christ is born for us; O come, let us adore Him.
A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:15-20 (NLT)
“Adoration of the Shepherds” by Gerard van Honthorst, 1622 Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Cologne, Germany
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.
__________
__________
Canticle
Let the light of Christ in our hearts shine through all that we do or say.
Jesus Christ is born!
Blessing:
May the Lord bless us and protect 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 the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening prayer:
Good and gracious God, on this holy night You gave us Your Son, the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Saviour of all, lying in a manger. On this holy night draw us into the mystery of Your love. Join our voices with the heavenly host, that we may sing Your glory on high.
Give us a place among the shepherds, that we may find the One for whom we have waited, 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.
__________
__________
A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 9:2-7 (NLT)
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
__________
__________
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 96 (NLT)
Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.
O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.
Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.
__________
__________
A Reading from the Letters: Titus 2:11-14 (NLT)
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
__________
__________
A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:1-14 (NLT)
Holy Night (Birth of Christ) Altdorfer, Albrecht, ca. 1511 Gemäldegalerie (Berlin, Germany)
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
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.”
__________
__________
Intercessions:
Sisters and brothers, standing together in the brightness of this Christmas celebration, let us ask God to fill the whole world with His light.
+ For those who mark the birth of Christ all over the world this night – that the celebration may bring a refreshing new light to their lives…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all whose lives are darkened by war and violence (especially the people of the Middle East) – that the peace and goodwill proclaimed by the angels may become a reality . Lord, hear us.
+ For the hungry, the sick and the homeless – that they may have comfort, healing and friendship…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all the people in our churches who are lonely – that the light Christ may brighten their lives…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our communities and families – that Christ may find the same warm welcome among us as he received from Mary and Joseph and the shepherds that first Christmas night…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our friends who have fallen asleep in Christ, and for all who have died since last Christmas, whom we remember now… – that the peace and joy of heaven may be theirs. Lord, hear us.
Maker of heaven and earth, Your Son is born for us, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God: hear our prayers offered with confidence, through the same Christ, our Lord, Amen.
__________
__________
Benediction:
We rejoice at the coming of the Saviour in our flesh, and we await His return again in glory. May God the almighty and merciful bless You by the light of Christ’s coming, and enrich Your lives with every grace.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Govert Flinck (1615–1660) “Angels Announcing the Birth of Christ to the Shepherds”Reading: Luke 2.8-14 – “Shepherds and Angels”
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.”
__________________________________________________
“[Mary] gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”
______________________________________________ “Away in a Manger” – Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes; I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay; Close by me forever, and love me, I pray; Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.
“Of the Father’s love begotten”
Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 4th c
Of the Father’s love begotten, Ere the worlds began to be, He the Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see, Evermore and evermore!
Oh that birth forever-blessèd, When the Virgin, full of grace, By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bore the Saviour of our race; And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer, First displayed His sacred face, Evermore and evermore!
This is He whom seers in time of old, Chanted of with one accord, Whom the voices of the prophets, Promised in their faithful word. Now He shines, the Long Expected. Let creation praise its Lord, Evermore and evermore!
Let the heights of heaven adore Him. Angel hosts, His praises sing. Powers, dominions bow before Him, And extol our God and King. Let no tongue on earth be silent, Every voice in concert ring, Evermore and evermore!
Christ, to Thee with God the Father, And, O Holy Ghost to Thee, Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving, And unwending praises be: Honor, glory, and dominion, And eternal victory, Evermore and evermore!
The Peanut Gallery 