Story of Christmas: Candlelight Service (v3) (Video Hymns Matched)

1. Greetings/Announcements

Good evening,

- Welcome to our Christmas candlelight service here at the Chapel.

- I hope you are having a very Merry Christmas … as we remember the Birth of Jesus,

our savior, Christ, and Lord.

This evening we are going to focus on the Story of Christmas.

What is the story of Christmas?

As we gather this evening … we shall remember, read Scripture, and sing in worship about the story of Christmas.

As we began tonight, we will begin by listening to the piano play Silent Night.

Take this time to

silence your phones,

light your candles,

and prepare you hearts

>>> to remember the story of Christmas.

2. Prelude – Silent Night (music only) and Candle Lighting

Let us began worship this evening, with prayer.

3. Opening Prayer

Dear Lord,

We thank you for the story Christmas. I ask that you will be with us as we read Scripture and worship you for sending your only begotten son. I ask that you would open our hearts to the truth of Christmas. Help us to consider your words, help us to know Christ as our Savior, and help us to worship you and you alone this Christmas.

Amen

First, lets consider,

4. The Start of Christmas (Romans 5:12, Genesis 3:15)

When did Christmas start?

Many of would say that Christmas started at the Birth of Christ.

But as we consider the beginning lines of Matthew, Luke, and John … we realize that Christmas did not start at his birth.

That is … the story Christmas began long before Jesus was ever born.

Luke 2:11 calls Jesus our savior.

And thus, it is fitting that the story of Christmas began when we needed a Savior.

Romans 5:12 teaches us that sin and death entered the world when Adam disobeyed God.

Romans 5:12 ESV

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

We talked about on Sunday, we need a Savior because sin has corrupted us and death has overpowered us.

In fact, Romans 5 teaches us that we know we are sinners .... because we all experience death.

But in amazing love, at the very moment that sin and death entered the world … God promised that a savior would be born.

Fittingly, the Christmas story began when God promised that a savior would be born way back in Genesis 3.

Think about that … the story of Christmas and the promise of a savior began in 3rd chapter of the first book of the Bible.

Genesis 3:15 ESV

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

As we gather to celebrate Christmas, may all those who are faithful believers in Christ as savior join with me …

5. 193, O Come All Ye Faithful (v. 1-3)

We now have considered the start of Christmas, but may we consider what God promises this child to be.

What kind of child was promised to be born in Bethelhem?

Let’s now consider the -

6. The Promise of Christmas (Isaiah 9:6-7)

In one of my favorite passages, Isaiah promises that the child to be born would be unlike anyone else.

There is reason why billions of people have been born, but we only worship one.

Isaiah 9:6–7 ESV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

As we remember who Christ is, I think it is fitting we sing …

7. 180, What Child is This? (v. 1-3)

We have considered the

start of Christmas

the promise of Christmas

and now …

8. The Miracle of Christmas (Matthew 1:21-25)

Matthew presents the birth of Jesus, the nativity scene we are so familiar with, as nothing less than a fulfilled miracle from Scripture.

The Birth of Jesus is litterally a miracle to help us know that this is indeed the promised savior of the world.

Read of the miracle, the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 1:21–25 ESV

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Lets sing O little Town of Bethlehem,

As we remember this amazing miracle, of nathing less … than the birth of Immanuel, literally God with us.

9. 178, O Little Town of Bethlehem (v. 1 and 4)

So far, we have read about the -

The Start of Christmas

The promise of Christmas

The Miracle of Christmas

Now may we read about the hope of Christmas ....

10. The Hope of Christmas (Matthew 28:19-20)

Matthew 28:19-20 presents baby Jesus as nothing less than hope for a lost and dieing world.

He is the savior who can save us from our sins

And as such … Matthew 28:19-20 tells us to share that hope with the world.

Let us sing …

11. 205, Got Tell It (v. 1-3)

Finally, as we have considered the

The Start of Christmas

The Promise of Christmas

The Miracle of Christmas

The Hope of Christmas

May we know consider the

12. The Joy of Christmas (Luke 2:22-33)

Luke 2:22-33 is a unique part of the Gospel.

It describes the presentation of Baby Jesus at the temple, in accordance with the Old Testament Law.

In the story, we read of the joy of Simeon, a devout Jew who realizes he has seen with his own eyes … His savior - Baby Jesus.

Luke 2:22–33 ESV

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

We may have not been at the temple that day, or have ever personally seen Jesus.

But through the Scriptures … we know who the promised Savior is.

May we rejoice that we know Jesus Christ, the promised savior of the world.

13. Closing Prayer

Lord,

I thank you that through the Scriptures we can read of the Birth of Jesus, our savior. May we rejoice as we consider that this child has saved us from our sins and from death … and we look forward to the day when he shall return and perfectly rule as the Prince of Peace. May we celebrate this Christmas the birth of our Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ. I ask that you would be with each one of us as we celebrate Christmas.

Amen.

As we leave here tonight … I think it is fitting that we follow the example Simoen.

May we leave here … singing Joy to the world.

We will sing,

14. 171, Joy to the World (v. 1-2, 4)

On Verse 4, you are dismissed.

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(End of verse 4)

On behalf of the Chapel, I wish you a very Merry Christmas. Thank you for atttending and have a good night.

Your dismissed.