Christmas Eve Service

Song #1

Song #2

Song #3

Introduction by Devin:

Good evening and welcome to The Outpost Christmas eve service. Thank you all for joining us tonight for this special celebration of the birth of our savior Jesus Christ.

Christmas means a lot of things to different people but for followers of Jesus, this day marks a celebration of the hope that came through the birth of Jesus. Christmas is a time of gathering and family. It is a time of joy and celebration. Something I think that is unique to the celebration of Christmas is that it is an event where everyone participates together in the celebration. In that same spirit of participation, we are not simply offering an experience to consume but an opportunity to participate together.

Tonight’s service may not be polished and that’s actually just fine. There may be moments of silence and transition or where someone loses their place in the reading and that is awesome! In fact, that is the mark of genuine participation and we should celebrate our savior all the more in those moments as we see the sincerity of heart in those who are worshiping Him.

Now…

When you came in, you were given a packet of papers and asked if you would like to participate by reading a portion of the Christmas story. If you took one of the participant packages, you will notice portions highlighted in yellow. When it is your turn to read, make your way to one of the microphones in the isle and read your highlighted portion.

There will also be moments of responsive reading throughout the evening. Those portions are marked in green and everyone will participate by reading those. If you see green words appear on any of the screens, those are for everyone to read aloud together.

We will also be singing some Christmas hymns during the evening which we encourage everyone to stand for as we sing together.

I wanted to begin this evening by everyone participating in a responsive reading. (Briefly explain how that works)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

All: He was with God in the beginning.

Oh, come, let us adore Him,

All: Christ the Lord!

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

All:  In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

Oh, come, let us adore Him,

All: Christ the Lord!

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

All:  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

Oh, come, let us adore Him,

All: Christ the Lord!

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

All:  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

Oh, come, let us adore Him,

All: Christ the Lord!

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

All:  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Oh, come, let us adore Him,

All: Christ the Lord!

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

All:  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Oh, come, let us adore Him,

All: Christ the Lord!

Will you stand with me as we sing - Oh Come Let Us Adore Him

Be Seated

Passage 1

Luke 1:26–38 NASB95

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. 36 “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Passage 2

Luke 1:39–45 NASB95

39 Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45 “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

Passage 3

Luke 1:46–56 NASB95

46 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. 49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. 50 “And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him. 51 “He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. 52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. 53 “He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent away the rich empty-handed. 54 “He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.” 56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.

Prayer by Jake:

Will you bow your heads as we go in thanks to God our Father:

Father in heaven, hallowed by your name. Thank you for the name that stands above all other names. Thank you for the name of Jesus which brought salvation to all mankind.

Thank you for the name Emmanuel which brought your presence to earth so that your will might be done on the earth just as it is in heaven.

Thank you for Jesus coming as the bread of life to bring satisfaction and provision each day as we look to him to fulfill the deepest longings of our souls.

Father, forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Thank you for the grace and mercy of Jesus who came to forgive the sins of many so that we might know true freedom and forgiveness and extend the same to those who have sinned against us. I pray that we would be a beacon of the love, grace, and forgiveness you have extended to us as we extend the same to every person we meet.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Thank you for the life of Jesus lived on our behalf. Thank you for the example of a life perfectly lived. Thank you for the power of the Gospel which transforms our hearts and enables us to follow after the example set by Jesus.

Thank you for the birth King Jesus all those years ago which brought your kingdom to earth that we might experience the goodness, peace, and freedom of a life surrendered to you.

Thank you for your death on the cross on my behalf and I surrender all that I have and all that I am to your will.

With all that I am and wherever I may go, I am forever yours.

Thank you Father for the most blessed Christmas Gift.

Amen.

Passage 4:

Luke 1:57–66 NASB95

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her. 59 And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father. 60 But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. 63 And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. 64 And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. 65 Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.

Passage 5

Luke 1:67–80 NASB95

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant— 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old— 71 Salvation from our enemies, And from the hand of all who hate us; 72 To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, 74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. 76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; 77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” 80 And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Responsive reading #2

Please stand for a responsive reading: I can think of perhaps no more of a fitting passage of scripture to read before the next part of the Christmas story which details the arrival of King Jesus than the Psalmists proclamation of the arrival of the King of Kings. Let’s read it together. I will start and everyone will read together the parts marked “All”

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.

All: For he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?

All: He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

All: He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart.

He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

All: Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

All: Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!

Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

All: Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!

You may be seated.

Let’s continue reading:

Passage 6:

Luke 2:1–7 NASB95

1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Passage 7:

Luke 2:8–20 NASB95

8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Passage 8:

Luke 2:21–35 NASB95

21 And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 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. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” 33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Passage 9:

Matthew 2:1–12 NASB95

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

Passage 10:

Matthew 2:13–23 NASB95

13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” 16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. 17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she refused to be comforted, Because they were no more.” 19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20 “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” 21 So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, 23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Prayer Devin:

Father, thank you for the amazing gift of your presence here on earth dwelling amongst us.

Thank you for the birth of King Jesus and how that changed everything.

Thank you for the relationship with you that was made possible by sending your son. Born like a precious passover lamb, he was destined to die for the sins of all mankind.

Thank you for the examples of your servants like Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, the shepherds, and the Magi who show us that you do not require greatness or nobility but simply obedience and faithfulness.

I pray that those characteristics of obedience and faithfulness would come to define us as your people. I pray that we would be the beautiful image of your Kingdom here on earth as we strive to follow after Jesus.

Father, we love you and praise you as we come on bended knees in worship at the feet of King Jesus.

Amen.

Devotional

Creation is the beginning of the Christmas story.

Perfection

God came to us in our sin, knowing we had broken the relationship through sin.

We chose not to be God’s people. The light of the world had spoken and given us a way to live life and we chose to reject him. We chose not to follow His light also seen as his Word that led to life.

4,000 years of hindsight bit. . . we can’t fix it…no politician, king, priest, or people group has been able to right the wrong. And this is really scary because look at how the story ends:

End

Revelation 21:1–8 NASB95

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” 5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. 7 “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 8 “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

God comes to be with us once again. But did you notice how that little passage ended?

That is only good news if you “are His people”…if you are not his people then the gates of his kingdom shut to you forever and there is only found despair outside of His kingdom.

And this is why the Christmas story is characterized as the season of hope.

John 1:1–5 NASB95

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

The light of the world came to make us not just God’s people but his Children! Let’s read that:

John 1:9–12 NASB95

9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

Jesus…or Immanuel came to be with us in our sin…just like in the Garden.

Only this time it wasn’t to condemn us for breaking the relationship, it was by taking our condemnation on himself.

Jesus used the one thing he knew he could count on us for…for us to reject him and he turned it on its head for our salvation.

And, if you are familiar with Advent services, this is where the whole light piece comes in. Jesus came as the light of the world showing the way back to a relationship with God so that we can enjoy Him forever in his Kingdom one day…so that the end of the story is good news for us.

I think that leaves us to the response… do funny response bit (water bill, letter from a friend).

Give invitation to follow the light of Jesus through salvation.

*****LIGHT YOUR CANDLE******

I think, though, that if you have done that (if that light now lives in you), there is still one outstanding response needed from you. Look at Jesus’ words in Matthew chapter five about what we are supposed to do about this light in us.

Matthew 5:14–16 NASB95

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

We are here talking about this two thousand years later, about the hope and good news of Jesus because people have been faithful to pass on the light.

Did you notice that it didn’t say a candle on a hill.

********BEGIN PASSING THE LIGHT AROUND*******

We are a city. Out light shines brightest as we shine together. That’s what this season is about. Coming together to both celebrate and share the good news that hope has been born.

Will you commit to passing that light on to others if you have experienced it yourself?

I would ask that you prayerfully consider how you can join with us in doing that in the city of yelm as we symbolically do that here tonight.

Hand it off to Ethan and let him close us out with a few songs as our candles are lit.

Finish with the lighting of a candle.

Will you stand and worship with me as we close out.

Final songs.