Christmas Eve/Day
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle A
Hymns
O Sing A New Song To The Lord (PH216)
Angels From The Realms Of Glory (UM220, PH22, NCH126)
Born In The Night (PH30, NCH152)
Once In Royal David's City (PH49, UM250, NCH145)
The First Nowell (PH56, UM245, CBH199, NCH139)
On This Day Earth Shall Ring (UM248, PH46, CBH192)
What Child Is This? (UM219, PH53, CBH215, NCH148)
Silent Night (PH60, UM229, CBH193, PH134)
The Friendly Beasts (UM227, NCH138)
That Boy--Child Of Mary (PH55, UM241)
While Shepherds Watched (UM236, PH58, 59, CBH196)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (UM280, PH31, CBH201, NCH160)
Go, Tell It On The Mountain (NCH154, UM251, PH29)
Anthems
Love Came Down At Christmas, John Rutter, Oxford, SATB
All My Soul This Night Rejoices, Kenneth Jennings, Augsburg, SATB, flutes (optional children)
God's Love Made Visible, Iola and Dave Brubeck, Lift Up Your Hearts, p. 40
Coventry Carol, Cynthia Dobrinski, Agape, 3 to 5--octave handbells
Unto Us A Child Is Born, Ken Kosche, CGA, 2--part
Call to Worship
Leader: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light!
Choir: (Singing) Go tell it on the mountain (Hold note)
Left Side: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined.
Choir: (Singing) Over the hills and everywhere (Hold note)
Right Side: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy.
Choir: (Singing) Go tell it on the mountain (Hold note)
All: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us - and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Choir: (Singing) That Jesus Christ is born. (Hold note)
(Go right into opening hymn Go Tell It On The Mountain)
Service of Carols and Scripture (using Luke 2:1--20)
The cast of characters includes Three Speakers, Shepherds, Angels, Mary, Joseph, Baby
Speaker 1: (In Roman toga with wreath on head) 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 towns to be registered. (Whole cast walks through the sanctuary and goes to back)
Speaker 2: (In typical shepherd costume, comes to front) 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.
(Congregation Sings O Little Town Of Bethlehem, verse 1. Mary and Joseph begin walk down the center aisle)
Speaker 2: 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 wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(Congregation sings O Little Town Of Bethlehem, verses 2--3. Could have a solo on verse 2. Mary and Joseph sit at the manger. Mary puts a baby in the manger)
Speaker 2: In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
(Congregation sings While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night, verse 2. Shepherds come up side aisle and settle on the stage to left of manger)
Speaker 2: Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Speaker 3: (Dressed as an angel, comes up and stands behind manger) 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."
Speaker 1: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" (Angels run up aisle saying Luke 2:14; they surround Speaker 3. Shepherds get down their knees)
(Congregation sings Angels, We Have Heard On High, all three verses. Angels join on the refrain)
Speaker 2: 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. (Shepherds get up and go surround Mary and Joseph. Mary sings verse 1 of Away In A Manger. Whole cast sings verse 2)
Speaker 2: 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. (Shepherds and Angels leave)
Speaker 3: But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. (Reads from the back of sanctuary)
Speaker 1: The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(Congregation sings Joy To The World. Rest of Cast leaves down center aisle)
Prayer for Christmas
It's Christmas, God, and we are filled with joy. We've been waiting and preparing, and the day of Jesus' birth has finally arrived. The tree is decorated, the presents are purchased and wrapped, the family and friends have gathered, and we are really ready to welcome you in our hearts. Help us remember the spirit in which you gave us the greatest gift of all - the gift of your son as a tiny baby - a baby who would redeem your people. You gave the gift of yourself because you love us so much. Help us to share that love to a tired, hungry, and hurting world. It seems to us that you are whispering to us, "Share the joy...." We go from this place impelled to do just that. Go with us, God; and give us the ability to spread the good news about the greatest gift ever given. Amen.
Benediction
Leader: Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and all that fills it.
Left Side: Let the field exult and everything in it.
Right Side: Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy!
Leader: For the Savior is here. Jesus is here to judge the earth with righteousness.
All: And the people with truth. Amen.
Choral Response: The refrain from Go Tell It On The Mountain
O Sing A New Song To The Lord (PH216)
Angels From The Realms Of Glory (UM220, PH22, NCH126)
Born In The Night (PH30, NCH152)
Once In Royal David's City (PH49, UM250, NCH145)
The First Nowell (PH56, UM245, CBH199, NCH139)
On This Day Earth Shall Ring (UM248, PH46, CBH192)
What Child Is This? (UM219, PH53, CBH215, NCH148)
Silent Night (PH60, UM229, CBH193, PH134)
The Friendly Beasts (UM227, NCH138)
That Boy--Child Of Mary (PH55, UM241)
While Shepherds Watched (UM236, PH58, 59, CBH196)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (UM280, PH31, CBH201, NCH160)
Go, Tell It On The Mountain (NCH154, UM251, PH29)
Anthems
Love Came Down At Christmas, John Rutter, Oxford, SATB
All My Soul This Night Rejoices, Kenneth Jennings, Augsburg, SATB, flutes (optional children)
God's Love Made Visible, Iola and Dave Brubeck, Lift Up Your Hearts, p. 40
Coventry Carol, Cynthia Dobrinski, Agape, 3 to 5--octave handbells
Unto Us A Child Is Born, Ken Kosche, CGA, 2--part
Call to Worship
Leader: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light!
Choir: (Singing) Go tell it on the mountain (Hold note)
Left Side: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined.
Choir: (Singing) Over the hills and everywhere (Hold note)
Right Side: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy.
Choir: (Singing) Go tell it on the mountain (Hold note)
All: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us - and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Choir: (Singing) That Jesus Christ is born. (Hold note)
(Go right into opening hymn Go Tell It On The Mountain)
Service of Carols and Scripture (using Luke 2:1--20)
The cast of characters includes Three Speakers, Shepherds, Angels, Mary, Joseph, Baby
Speaker 1: (In Roman toga with wreath on head) 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 towns to be registered. (Whole cast walks through the sanctuary and goes to back)
Speaker 2: (In typical shepherd costume, comes to front) 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.
(Congregation Sings O Little Town Of Bethlehem, verse 1. Mary and Joseph begin walk down the center aisle)
Speaker 2: 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 wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(Congregation sings O Little Town Of Bethlehem, verses 2--3. Could have a solo on verse 2. Mary and Joseph sit at the manger. Mary puts a baby in the manger)
Speaker 2: In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
(Congregation sings While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night, verse 2. Shepherds come up side aisle and settle on the stage to left of manger)
Speaker 2: Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Speaker 3: (Dressed as an angel, comes up and stands behind manger) 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."
Speaker 1: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" (Angels run up aisle saying Luke 2:14; they surround Speaker 3. Shepherds get down their knees)
(Congregation sings Angels, We Have Heard On High, all three verses. Angels join on the refrain)
Speaker 2: 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. (Shepherds get up and go surround Mary and Joseph. Mary sings verse 1 of Away In A Manger. Whole cast sings verse 2)
Speaker 2: 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. (Shepherds and Angels leave)
Speaker 3: But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. (Reads from the back of sanctuary)
Speaker 1: The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
(Congregation sings Joy To The World. Rest of Cast leaves down center aisle)
Prayer for Christmas
It's Christmas, God, and we are filled with joy. We've been waiting and preparing, and the day of Jesus' birth has finally arrived. The tree is decorated, the presents are purchased and wrapped, the family and friends have gathered, and we are really ready to welcome you in our hearts. Help us remember the spirit in which you gave us the greatest gift of all - the gift of your son as a tiny baby - a baby who would redeem your people. You gave the gift of yourself because you love us so much. Help us to share that love to a tired, hungry, and hurting world. It seems to us that you are whispering to us, "Share the joy...." We go from this place impelled to do just that. Go with us, God; and give us the ability to spread the good news about the greatest gift ever given. Amen.
Benediction
Leader: Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and all that fills it.
Left Side: Let the field exult and everything in it.
Right Side: Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy!
Leader: For the Savior is here. Jesus is here to judge the earth with righteousness.
All: And the people with truth. Amen.
Choral Response: The refrain from Go Tell It On The Mountain
