+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer
Good and gracious God, on this holy day You gave us Your Son, the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Savior of all, lying in a manger. On this holy day 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. Amen.
__________
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.
__________
Intercessory Prayer
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born this day of a virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. We pray especially –
+ For the peace of the whole world, and for the well-being and unity of the people of God….
+ For church leaders and all who proclaim the Good News and disciple others at home and abroad….
+ For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith at home and abroad….
+ For our nation, for our president, and for those in authority at home and abroad….
+ For all who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity….
+ For all who grieve and mourn, to be comforted in the certain hope of the resurrection…
Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
__________
“Christmas Offering” – Paul Baloche
__________
Blessing – Titus 2:11-13
The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people; therefore let us turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. Live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God – looking forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
__________
+ 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 Prayer
Good and gracious God, on this holy day You gave us Your Son, the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Savior of all, lying in a manger. On this holy day 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. Amen.
__________
“O Come let us adore Him” – Hillsong
__________
Reading: Luke 2:15-20 (NLT)
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.
__________
Intercessory Prayer
Friends in Christ, let us join together to ask God to fill the whole world with His Light. We pray especially –
+ For all who celebrate the birth of Christ around the world, that He may bring new, refreshing, Light into our lives….
+ For all whose lives are darkened by war and violence, that the peace and goodwill proclaimed by the angels come quickly….
+ For all families and children who are destitute, that we may respond generously with help and hope….
+ For all who are lost and lonely, that we may find them and comfort them with the Good News – “God with them” has come….
+ For all who are sick and dying, that we may bring healing and the Good News of eternal life….
+ For our neighbors and families, that Christ may receive a warm welcome among us….
+ For all who have died in Christ, especially since last Christmas, that the peace and joy of heaven may be theirs…..
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 through Christ, our Lord, Amen.
__________
“Born is the King” – Hillsong
__________
Blessing – Titus 2:11-13
The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people; therefore let us turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. Live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God – looking forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
__________
+ 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 Prayer
Good and gracious God, on this holy day You gave us Your Son, the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Savior of all, lying in a manger. On this holy day 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. Amen.
__________
“O Come let us adore Him” – Hillsong
__________
Reading: Luke 2:15-20 (NLT)
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.
__________
Intercessory Prayer
Friends in Christ, let us join together to ask God to fill the whole world with His Light. We pray especially –
+ For all who celebrate the birth of Christ around the world, that He may bring new, refreshing, Light into our lives….
+ For all whose lives are darkened by war and violence, that the peace and goodwill proclaimed by the angels come quickly….
+ For all families and children who are destitute, that we may respond generously with help and hope….
+ For all who are lost and lonely, that we may find them and comfort them with the Good News – “God with them” has come….
+ For all who are sick and dying, that we may bring healing and the Good News of eternal life….
+ For our neighbors and families, that Christ may receive a warm welcome among us….
+ For all who have died in Christ, especially since last Christmas, that the peace and joy of heaven may be theirs…..
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 through Christ, our Lord, Amen.
__________
“Born is the King” – Hillsong
__________
Blessing – Titus 2:11-13
The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people; therefore let us turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. Live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God – looking forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
__________
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Christmas is an amazing mystery — God is born in time. The eternal God has taken human flesh, has pitched his tent in the midst of humanity. With joy in our hearts, we contemplate the mystery of the Word made flesh.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer:
We praise you, gracious God, for the glad tidings of peace, the good news of salvation: your Word became flesh, and we have seen his glory.
Let the radiance of that glory enlighten the lives of those who celebrate his birth.
Reveal to all the world the light no darkness can extinguish, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever.
__________
“Joy to the World” – Libera
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 52:7-10 (NLT)
[Let there be great joy, because we have received Good News: God is consoling his people.]
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for before their very eyes they see the Lord returning to Jerusalem. Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song, for the Lord has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has demonstrated his holy power before the eyes of all the nations. All the ends of the earth will see the victory of our God.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 98:1-6 (NLT)
Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power! The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!
__________
A Reading from the Letters: Hebrews 1:1-6 (NLT)
[Greater than all the angels is the firstborn Son of God, born in time today.]
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. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:
“You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”
God also said,
“I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.”
And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said,
“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”
__________
A Reading from the Gospels: John 1:1-18 (NLT)
[In beautiful language, John describes the mystery of God taking on human flesh in Jesus.]
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
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“O Come Let Us Adore Him” – Hillsong
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Intercessory Prayer:
Mighty God: you have shown your salvation to the nations in the birth of Jesus. Hear our prayers on behalf of your people –
+ That those who mark the birth of Christ all over the world today may have new hope…. Lord, hear us.
+ That the people of Syria and Aleppo may have the gift of peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ That refugees of good will may find safe places to live and receive kindness…. Lord, hear us.
+ That hungry and homeless people maybe looked after…. Lord, hear us.
+ That people bereaved in 2016 may be comforted…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those who are lonely may experience friendship and love…. Lord, hear us.
+ That our friends who have fallen asleep in Christ may experience the peace and joy of heaven…. Lord, hear us.
O God, your love for your people is sure: hear our prayers and grant us your grace, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________
“Go Tell It On The Mountain” – Keith & Kristyn Getty
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Benediction:
Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! Jesus Christ is born!
__________
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening sentence
Today Christ is born, today the Savior has appeared; today the angels sing on earth, the archangels rejoice; today upright men shout out for joy: Glory be to God on high, alleluia.
__________
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – King’s College Choir
Morning Reading: 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.
“The Light of the World” – Lauren Daigle
Morning Reading: John 1:1-5,9-14 NLT
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
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Prayer:
God our Father, this morning we eagerly greet the birth of Jesus, our brother and Saviour. He is the Daystar from on high, the light-bearer who brings the dawn to us, who wait patiently for His coming. – Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men.
+ Father, bless on this holy day the Church all over the world. May she light afresh in men’s hearts the lamps of hope and peace.
+ Your Son has come to us in the fullness of time: let all who wait for Him recognize His coming.
+ His birth bound heaven to earth in harmony and peace. Establish that same peace among nations and men of today.
+ With Mary and Joseph we rejoice in the birth of Jesus. May we welcome Christ into our lives as they did.
Almighty God, Your incarnate Word fills us with the new light He brought to men. Let the light of faith in our hearts shine through all that we do and say. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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“Joy to the World” – The Bach Choir
_________
Canticle
Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.
Blessing
To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. (John 1:12-13 NLT)
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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