Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Rev. Charissa Clark Howe

Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

Luke 2

Christmas

0 ratings

· 12 views

Notes

Transcript

Handout

Sermon Tone Analysis

Emotion

Language

Social

View more →

Welcome

The Peace Candle

Welcome (Charissa)

Opening Prayer

(Pastor Charissa) Great God, as you came at night when all was still, so enter our lives this night. Illumine our paths with the light of Christ’s presence, that we may clearly see the way before us, the truth to speak, and the life to live for him, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Opening Prayer (Charissa)

Ding Dong Merrily on High

Great God, as you came at night when all was still, so enter our lives this night. Illumine our paths with the light of Christ’s presence, that we may clearly see the way before us, the truth to speak, and the life to live for him, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

CHOIR HYMN DING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH

Call to worship - Pastor Rebecca

*Call to Worship (Rebecca)

Leader: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,

full of grace and truth.

People: We have beheld his glory.

Leader: Glory to God in the highest,

People: And peace to God’s people on earth. Alleluia!

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Jesus, Friend of all, Protector of the poor, Treasure of the faithful: Glory to you, O Lord! Jesus, Good Shepherd, inexhaustible Wisdom, our Way, our Truth, and our Life: Glory to you, O Lord! Jesus, joy of the angels, and crown of all the saints:

Glory to you, O Lord!

John & Heather

LIGHT CANDLES (PURPLE, PURPLE, PINK, PURPLE, WHITE)

Christ is born! Give him glory! Christ has come down from heaven! Receive him! Christ is now on earth! Exalt him! O earth, sing to the Lord! O you nations, praise him in joy, for he has been glorified! Amen.

O come, all ye faithful

Joyful and triumphant

O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem

Come and behold Him

Born the King of Angels!

O come, let us adore Him

Christ the Lord

Yea, Lord, we greet thee

Born this happy morning,

Jesus, to thee be all glory given.

Word of the Father,

Call to Confession (Rebecca):

Word of the Father,

Now in flesh appearing

O come, let us adore Him

Christ the Lord

O come, let us adore Him

Christ the Lord

Oh, sing, choirs of angels

Sing in exultation

Oh, come, oh come ye to Bethlehem

Come and behold Him

Born the King of Angels

O come, let us adore Him

Call to Confession (Rebecca):

O come, let us adore Him

When Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, he became like us in all things but sin. May we who have been reborn in him be free from our sinful ways. Let us confess our sin to God.

Christ the Lord

Confession (Pastor Rebecca)

Prayer of Confession

Generous God, you give us the greatest gift of all, yourself, but often we find it hard to take notice; we are caught up with our own gifts, given and received. Forgive us, generous God, for the casual way we treat your gift of love. Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today

Assurance of Pardon

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (—, NIV) The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all. (—, NRSV) No matter who you are, no matter where you’ve come from, no matter what you’ve done, this gift is for you if you but hear and receive it: I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven.

Old Testament Reading (Sue)

2 The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned.

3 You have enlarged the nation

and increased their joy;

they rejoice before you

as people rejoice at the harvest,

as warriors rejoice

Isaiah 9:2–7 ESV

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 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.

when dividing the plunder.

4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,

you have shattered

the yoke that burdens them,

the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor.

5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle

and every garment rolled in blood

will be destined for burning,

will be fuel for the fire.

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

Musical Meditation Howe Family

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness.

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this.

Musical Meditation Howe Family

Psalm 96 ESV

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.” Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;

proclaim his salvation day after day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,

but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie

bring an offering and come into his courts.

9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

tremble before him, all the earth.

The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;

The everlasting Light

The hopes and fears of all the years

he will judge the peoples with equity.

Are met in thee tonight

11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;

For Christ is born of Mary

let the sea resound, and all that is in it.

And gathered all above

While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wondering love

O morning stars together

Proclaim the holy birth

And praises sing to God the King

And Peace to all on earth

How silently, how silently,

12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;

The wondrous gift is given!

let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

So God imparts on human hearts

13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,

The blessings of his heaven.

he comes to judge the earth.

No ear may hear his coming,

He will judge the world in righteousness

But in this world of sin,

and the peoples in his faithfulness.

O come to us, abide with us,

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM #44

Our Lord Emmanuel!

O holy Child of Bethlehem

Descend to us, we pray

Cast out our sin and enter in

Be born to us today

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell

O come to us, abide with us

Our Lord Emmanuel

Gospel Reading (Luke)

Luke 2:1–7 ESV

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

The first Noel the angels did say Was to certain poor shepards in fields as they lay: In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter's night that was so deep Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east beyond them far And to the earth it gave great light And so it continued both day and night Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!

THE FIRST NOWELL #56

And by the light of that same star Three Wise men came from country far To seek for a King was their intent And to follow the star wherever it went Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!

This star drew nigh to the northwest O'er Bethlehem it took its rest And there it did both stop and stay Right o'er the place where Jesus lay Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!

Then entered in those Wise men three

Fell reverently upon their knee

And offered there in His presence

Their gold and myrrh and frankincense

And offered there in His presence Their gold and myrrh and frankincense Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

Then let us all with one accord

Second Gospel Reading (Mark)

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord

That hath made heaven and earth of nought

And with his blood mankind has bought

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8–14 ESV

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King! Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem." Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Christ, by highest heaven adored:

Christ, the everlasting Lord;

Late in time behold him come,

Offspring of the virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;

Hail, th'incarnate Deity:

Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel!

HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING #31

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new-born King!

Hail! the heaven-born

Prince of peace!

Third Gospel Reading (Charissa)

(Charissa)

Hail! the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

Luke 2:15–20 ESV

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Risen with healing in his wings

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Mild he lays his glory by,

Born that we no more may die:

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Meditation on the Word Rev. Charissa Howe

Born to raise us from the earth,

Meditation on the Word Rev. Charissa Howe

Born to give us second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

Prayer: O Christ, the prophets foretold your coming, the poor longed to see you. The heavens celebrated your birth; the apostles, the martyrs, and the faithful down through the ages repeated the song of the angels. Your church praises you in every human language, for she has seen your salvation. Son of God, you humbled yourself and became a servant, raising us up to share in your glory. We were in darkness and you have given us light and strength, peace and joy. Lead us according to your loving will; make us a people who follow you in holiness. Give us generous hearts to hear your Word, and produce in us abundant fruit, through the power of your Spirit. Amen.

"Glory to the new-born King !"

Christmas doesn’t have to be “nice”

Journal/family reflection questions for further study:

I had a really nice, sweet, Christmas Eve sermon prepared for tonight.

I threw it away this afternoon.

It was too nice.

Christmas isn’t nice. Or at least, it wasn’t originally. It was dirty, smelly, scary, full of danger. The angels aren’t telling people to “fear not” as some sort of friendly greeting. The people they were delivering message to were scared witless by the angels and by their crazy message. Christmas was a teenaged girl giving birth to her first child in the midst of farm animals. Christmas was a corrupt, power hungry leader killing babies and a young family fleeing their home as refugee to keep their little son safe - we’ll read that part of the story on Epiphany Sunday in January. Christmas was the people on the edges of society being the first to hear about God’s plan for redemption and justice - the shepherds were not considered to be polite company.

And I tell you what, if you’re having a stressful or sad or just plain old blah holiday season this year, that’s good news! Christmas doesn’t have to be all nicey nice and sweet and precious.

He’d always followed the rules. He was a good, faithful Jewish man. He was a simple man: a carpenter. He was not the sort to cause a stir, yet here he was witness to the holiest moment in history.

I threw it away this afternoon.

For most of us today, weeks of preparation have come to their peak. Packages are wrapped - unless you wrap them after church like we do - but at least they are purchased or made and ready to be wrapped. Cookies have been baked. Trees are trimmed. The family has been herded and dressed up and delivered to church. Very soon, we’ll light the candles and sing silent night.

So what? What’s the point?

He shook his head in disbelief, startling a young goat. The baby stirred at the sound of the goat’s bleat, but didn’t wake. After searching all day for a room in an inn - any inn would have been fine - they had finally settled on staying in the lower portion of a home. It was better than being out in the cold, but it meant sleeping with the livestock.

It was too nice.

Why bother?

What is your favorite Christmas memory?

If we didn’t decorate and give gifts and come to church, tomorrow would still come. The world wouldn’t blow up or anything.

Some of us are gathered here out of a sense of obligation - to family, to the church. And there is nothing wrong with that. Living out our obligations to others is an important part of getting around well in the world. But obligation can also feel stifling and stressful.

Have you ever felt like Christmas is “too nice”?

Some of us are here because of tradition. We’ve just always gone to church on Christmas Eve. And there isn’t anything wrong with having traditions. Traditions keep us grounded year after year as things change around us. But traditions can also hold us back from trying new things and exploring the world around us.

Some of us are here because of nostalgia. We’re trying to reconnect with something from the past - perhaps family Christmases from when we were growing up. And that’s ok too. Where we were is part of where we are and who we are. But nostalgia can keep us from moving on and growing into who we are meant to be tomorrow.

Some come seeking deeper meaning in the world and in life. And that’s something we humans are wired for. We should be seeking deeper meaning in the world around us. But sometimes, we get so fixed on seeking, we miss what’s right beside us.

Some of us aren’t even really sure why we’re here or we’re here because of some combination of obligation, tradition, searching, and nostalgia.

And none of those things are really what Christmas is about. It’s not about obligation or nostalgia or tradition. It’s not about cookies or decorations or dinners.

Christmas is about God - creator of the universe - coming down and entering our frail humanity full of obligation and tradition and stress and danger and hardship and pain. That’s what Emmanuel means - God with us. On Sunday, I said that we sing “O Come O Come, Emmanuel” every Advent and we don’t realize just how dangerous a request that is. When God breaks into the world, people on the edges of society are invited in. When God breaks into the world, scared teenagers become the bearers of God’s justice and compassion. When God breaks into the world, the plans of corrupt leaders are foiled and those seeking safety are granted refuge. When God breaks into the world, God breaks into a world that isn’t nice or pretty or perfect so that we can be freed from the edges, fear, injustice - even the stress of obligation, nostalgia and tradition.

Making things even more complicated, his pregnant wife had gone into labor just as they entered town. If it hadn’t been for the kindness of strangers letting them sleep in the stalls with the sheep, she’d have had to labor and give birth in an alley or field. He supposed this was a step up from that, at least.

Christmas was a teenaged girl giving birth to her first child in the midst of farm animals. Christmas was the people on the edges of society being the first to hear about God’s plan for redemption and justice - the shepherds were not considered to be polite company. Christmas was a corrupt, power hungry leader killing babies and a young family fleeing their home as refugee to keep their little son safe - we’ll read that part of the story on Epiphany Sunday in January.

Joseph remembered the words of the prophet Isaiah as he stared, mystified, at the tiny baby in Mary’s arms:

And I tell you what, if you’re having a stressful or sad or just plain old blah holiday season this year, that’s good news! Christmas doesn’t have to be all nicey nice and sweet and precious. That’s certainly not how it started off.

For to us a child is born,

For most of us today, weeks of preparation have come to their peak. And some people have enjoyed the preparation more than others have. Packages are wrapped - unless you wrap them after church like we do - but at least they are purchased or made and ready to be wrapped. Cookies have been baked. Trees are trimmed. The family has been herded and dressed up and delivered to church. Very soon, we’ll light the candles and sing silent night.

to us a son is given,

I threw it away this afternoon.

So what?

and the government will be on his shoulders.

What’s the point?

And he will be called

Seriously, why bother?

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

If we didn’t decorate and give gifts and come to church, tomorrow would still come. The world wouldn’t blow up or anything.

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

If he hadn’t been told by an actual angel, he wouldn’t be able to believe that this was the Messiah resting here among the animals. What a strange thing God was doing here! The angel that had appeared to him in his dream had said that this little baby would save the world from their sins!

It was too nice.

At first he’d been startled and confused by Mary’s pregnancy. He knew he wasn’t the biological father, so he’d planned on just ending the betrothal quietly so as not to cause too much drama or turmoil.

But that dream! He couldn’t even begin to describe what the angel looked like and he would never forget what the angel told him:

If you’re feeling swept up by the modern Christmas machine this year, take heart that the message of Christmas is that we are freed from all that is holding us down, holding us back, holding us hostage.

Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

Some of us aren’t even really sure why we’re here or we’re here because of some combination of obligation, tradition, searching, and nostalgia.

He tried to imagine what exactly that might mean. He tried to imagine a world free of the bondage of sin and law. Even an upright man such as himself had to make amends for his sins on a regular basis. What a weight that would be lifted if his sins were gone! Truly this was both a holy and a joyous day!

Why do you celebrate at church on Christmas Eve?

But none of those things are really what Christmas is about. It’s not about obligation or nostalgia or tradition. It’s not about cookies or decorations or dinners.

Earlier, some shepherds had shown up. They too said they’d had an encounter with an angel. Breathlessly, they spoke of the announcement. Unlike the single angel that had shown up in a dream to Joseph, the shepherds described an entire choir of angels in the sky while the shepherds were wide awake!

Christmas is about God - creator of the universe - coming down and entering our frail humanity full of obligation and tradition and stress and danger and hardship and pain just to be with us. That’s what Emmanuel means - God with us.

The angels told the shepherds where to find this baby Messiah. Joseph knew they’d been sent by God. There was no other way he could have known where to find the new family in this stable in the unfamiliar hometown of their ancestors. Then, echoing the words of the Psalm and of the prophet Isaiah, the angels had sung to the shepherds! A booming chorus of:

On Sunday, I said that we sing “O Come O Come, Emmanuel” every Advent and we don’t realize just how dangerous a request that is. It’s a dangerous request because when God breaks into the world, people on the edges of society are invited in. When God breaks into the world, scared teenagers become the bearers of God’s justice and compassion. When God breaks into the world, the plans of corrupt leaders are foiled and those seeking safety are granted refuge. When God breaks into the world, God breaks into a world that isn’t nice or pretty or perfect so that we can be freed from the edges, fear, injustice - even the stress of obligation, nostalgia and tradition.

Christmas isn’t nice. Or at least, it wasn’t originally.

Glory to God in the highest heaven,

If you’re feeling swept up or run over by the modern Christmas machine this year, take heart that the message of Christmas is that we are freed from all that is holding us down, holding us back, holding us hostage. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is a cry out to God to break into this time and space and shake up the status quo and bring freedom to those who are tied down, beat down, worn down, or shouted down.

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

That baby in that manger is going to call out corrupt authorities, throw tables around where people are being taken advantage of, chase angry mobs away from “that kind of woman”, stand up for children and outsiders and lonely people. That’s why he’s good news.

The way they described the moment was chilling. They still seemed shaken with the awe of it all. When they left, it was with the excitement of men who were read to tell everyone they met about this child they’d met.

If your Christmas this year is nice and perfect and sweet - great! There’s nothing wrong with that. Just don’t forget to get up on Thursday and live out the world-changing message of justice and reconciliation and love that is delivered to us in . It’s a little scary and that’s ok. Fear not! God is with us and God is the bringer of this new sort of peace and reconciliation.

And I tell you what, if you’re having a stressful or sad or just plain old blah holiday season this year, that’s good news! Christmas doesn’t have to be all nicey nice and sweet and precious.

There lay a tiny baby who already had struck the awe and excitement of God into the hearts of many. Joseph could only imagine the force this child would be once he grew into a man. He was humbled and amazed that God had chosen him to raise this little boy. He stopped to pray a quick prayer for strength because surely he wasn’t able to do this alone. He would need God’s help through every moment. He would need God’s grace, but somehow, in the presence of this peaceful child, he knew that God’s grace was with him and with all who knew and would come to know the Messiah: Jesus.

As you go out into the world tonight and launch into tomorrow with friends and family and everyone in between, remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect or nice or sweet. You don’t have to feel like you’ve got it all together or like you’re filled with “Christmas Spirit” in order to really live Christmas.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

Our gathering here tonight is more than just obligation or nostalgia or tradition or searching. Our gathering here tonight is an act of rebellion against the forces of evil in the world. And it’s our launching point to go out and be the presence of God in the world today. This is where we acknowledge that now it’s our turn to go out and stand up for the powerless, speak up for the voiceless, shake up the world for the better. That’s the Christmas message, friends. It’s not quiet or nice or sweet - it’s wonderful and terrifying and world changing. Merry Christmas, dear ones.

Amen.

How can you celebrate Christmas this year by rebelling against the forces of evil and injustice?

How can you bring God’s loving and redemptive presence to the world around you?

Giving back our gifts

What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. Yet what I can, I give him, give him my heart.

We give tonight not out of obligation but out of gratitude. We give cheerfully and as we are able.

If you are a regular at St. Andrew’s and have a Christmas offering, please use your envelope so that we know who it is from and which congregation it should go to. We also have online giving available for both congregations on the church websites. You are welcome to give that way as well.

Let us share our tithes and offerings.

OFFERTORY

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication

Away in a manger

No crib for His bed

The little Lord Jesus

Lay down His sweet head

The stars in the sky

Look down where He lay

The little Lord Jesus

Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing

The poor Baby wakes

But little Lord Jesus

AWAY IN A MANGER #25

No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus

Look down from the sky

And stay by my side

'Til 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 take us to Heaven

To live with Thee there

Angels we have heard on high

Sweetly singing o'er the plains

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Shepherds, why this jubilee?

Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be

Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Come to Bethlehem and see

Him whose birth the angels sing,

Come, adore on bended knee,

Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Joy to the world, the Lord is come

Let earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare Him room

And Heaven and nature sing

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!

Let us our songs employ

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Joy to the world Joy to the world Joy to the World, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground.

He comes to make his blessings flow

Far as the curse is found

Far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of his righteousness,

And wonders of his love

And wonders, wonders of his love.

Silent Night

*As candles are being lit, Charissa will sing in German, Mirta will sing in Spanish, then all will sing in English

The song was first performed on Christmas Eve 1818 at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, a village in the Austrian Empire on the Salzach river in present-day Austria.[1] A young priest, Father Joseph Mohr, had come to Oberndorf the year before. He had written the lyrics of the song "Stille Nacht" in 1816 at Mariapfarr, the hometown of his father in the Salzburg Lungau region, where Joseph had worked as a co-adjutor.[3]

The melody was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, schoolmaster and organist in the nearby village of Arnsdorf. Before Christmas Eve, Mohr brought the words to Gruber and asked him to compose a melody and guitar accompaniment for the Christmas Eve mass, after river flooding had damaged the church organ.[1][4] The church was eventually destroyed by repeated flooding and replaced with the Silent-Night-Chapel. It is unknown what inspired Mohr to write the lyrics, or what prompted him to create a new carol.[3]

Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright

‘round yon virgin mother and child!

Holy Infant, so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight;

Glories stream from heaven afar,

Heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia:

Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born!”

Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face,

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord at thy birth, Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light;

With the angels let us sing

Alleluia to our King:

Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born.

*Blessing (Charissa)

Go now into the world, carrying Christmas with you into everyday life. Open the inn within you and make room for that gift of gifts, even our Lord Jesus Christ.

May the peace of our Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.