Merry Christmas
~ Rev. Joel
The Laughter Behind Grace
God laughed and brought forth Jesus. Jesus laughed and brought forth the Holy Spirit. All three laughed and brought forth us."
(Meister Eckhart in Elder Wisdom by Eugene Bianchi)
The Christmas Eve service has always been one of my favorite services, in part, because of the delightful expressions seen behind the flames of the candles. In this time of deep darkness, when the Northern Hemisphere is just past her longest night, we celebrate light coming into the world.
This year, however, many of us in western Washington are home bound due to the weather. So I offer here a copy of the services I have used in the past. May this liturgy continue to bring you the wonderment and laughter of the season.
- Joel
INVITATION TO WORSHIP
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Christ is born; give him glory!INVOCATION
People: Christ has come down from heaven; receive him!
Christ is now on earth; exalt him!
Leader: O you earth, sing to the Lord!
People: O you nations, praise him in joy, for he has been glorified!
(Traditional Byzantine Christmas Prayer, alt.)
Send, O God, into the darkness of this troubled world, the light of your Son. Let the star of your hope touch the minds of all people with the bright beams of mercy and truth; and so direct our steps that we may ever walk in the way revealed to us, to the manger where he dwelled, who now and ever reigns in our hearts, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.HYMN: "O Come, All Ye Faithful" #234 (v. 1, 3 & 6)*
(John Suter, USA, 20th Cent., Alt)
Lighting of the Advent Candles and Christ Candle
PROCLAMATION IN LESSON AND CAROLS
Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-4Here is my servant, whom I uphold,Hymn: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” #211 (v 1-4)
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faith or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his teaching.
Scripture: Luke: 1:26-35, 38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! the Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God. ..." Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.Hymn: “To a Maid Engaged to Joseph” #215 (v 1, 2, 6)
Scripture: John 1:1-5, 14
In the begining was teh Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing come into being. What has come into being in him was life, the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. ... And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.Hymn: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” #230
Scripture: Luke 2:1-7
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.Hymn: “Away in a Manger” #217
Scripture: Luke 2: 8-12
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."Hymn: “The First Noel” #245 (vs. 1-2)
Scripture: Luke 2:13-14
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,Hymn: “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” #218
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favors!"
Scripture: Luke 2:15-20
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.Hymn: “Angels We Have Heard on High” #238
Celebrating the birth that brings grace and salvation to all, let us place before God our needs and those of the whole world.Hymn: “What Child Is This” #219
As we pray FOR THE CHURCH wherever it is in the world
As we remember THE WORLD
- For the church here and throughout the world, that our worship and praise may give glory to You, O God, and our witness and ministry promote peace on earth.
We pray also FOR THOSE OPPRESSED, AFFLICTED OR IN NEED
- For peoples of every race and nation, that the celebration of the birth of You, the Prince of Peace, may encourage a new birth of righteousness and justice.
We hold THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY close to our hearts, O God, so we pray:
- For those bowed down by injustice or despair, that Your power, the power of God, and the zeal of Your servants may break the rod of oppression and lift the yoke of life’s burdens.
- For refugees and aliens, for homeless people and unwed mothers, that in them we may see the image of Mary and Joseph, and recognize Your face, O Christ.
Finally, Lord God, we pray for ourselves, THIS ASSEMBLY
- For family and friends near and far, for the hospitalized and homebound, that the good news of Christmas may be for all who are dear to us the end of darkness and fear, the dawn of light and joy.
INTRODUCTION TO THE LORD’S PRAYER:
- For this assembly, that by Your grace – the grace of Christ’s coming – may live upright and godly lives, and bear witness to our blessed hope for Your, Our Savior’s, glorious return.
- The Word became flesh and dwelled among us, that as children of God we might dare to pray: OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN . . .
SENDING FORTH
Passing the Light Hymn: “Silent Night, Holy Night” #239
Proclamation: Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;Hymn: “Joy to the World” #246
those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian. ...
For a child has been born to us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grown continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Rejoicing in Emmanuel, God-is-with-us, go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
__________________
* These are the hymn/page numbers in the United Methodist Hymnal
** Prayers of the People are adapted from Peter Scagnelli's Prayers: Year B.
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