"When the Lord returned the captives of Zion we were like those who dream" Psalm 126:1
Christmas Eve
Jesus Christ - Fully God, Fully Human
Welcome to our Christmas Eve service. We are a hopeful church of charismatic practice & sacramental worship. Along with Christians throughout the last 2,000 years, in all nations, and in all denominations, we affirm the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. We endeavor to surrender our whole lives to Jesus as Lord in every dimension of our lives.
Advent Candle Lighting
[Leader:] Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord
[ALL:] Thanks be to God
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[Leader:] The Advent wreath is a circle with no beginning and no end, a symbol of God's unending love and faithfulness. Jesus Christ is the brightest revelation of God's love. In him, we hope! In his kingdom we have righteousness, peace, and joy. We light these candles symbolizing these gifts given to us by our Heavenly Father.
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[Leader:] We light this candle in hope, the hope of our coming Savior, Jesus.
[ALL:] Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.
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[lighting of the first purple candle]
[Leader:] We light this candle in love, the love that Jesus, our Savior, has for us.
[ALL:] Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.
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[lighting of the second purple candle]
[Leader:] We light this candle in joy, the joy that we have in Jesus, our Savior.
[ALL:] Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.
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[Light the third candle]
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[Leader:] We light this candle in peace, the peace that Jesus, our Savior, gives to the world.
[ALL:] Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.
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[lighting of the fourth candle]
[Leader:] We light this candle because Jesus, the light of the world, was born on this day, and he brightens all things.
[ALL:] Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
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[lighting of the white candle, known as "the Christ candle"]
The First Testament // The Law & The Prophets
Isaiah 9:2-7 (NLT)
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The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
A Psalm // Sacred Songs
Psalm 96 (NLT)
Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.
O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.
Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.
The Second Testament // The Epistles
Titus 2:11-14 (NLT)
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For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
The Second Testament // The Gospel
Luke 2:1-20 (NLT)
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At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
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“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
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When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.
All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
Prayer for Illumination
O God, our beginning and end,
by whose command time runs its course:
bless our impatience,
perfect our faith,
and, while we await
the fulfillment of your promises,
grant us hope in your Word. Amen.