Christmas Lessons & Carols

December 24, 2020

5:00 pm

SIGN OF THE CROSS

Celebrant    We gather for worship as we live our lives …

People        In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Celebrant   Blessed be God.

People         And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

Celebrant    Blessed be God, who was, and is, and who shall be forever more.

 People        And blessed be his kingdom. Amen.

 Once in Royal David’s City

Once in royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And his shelter was a stable,
And his cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior holy.

And our eyes at last shall see him,
Through his own redeeming love;
For that child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heaven above,
And he leads his children on
To the place where he is gone.

And He leads His children on
To the place where he is gone.
And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through his own redeeming love;

 Invitatory and Opening Collects

Celebrant    Beloved God, as we approach your Presence, guide and stir us with your Holy Spirit, that we may become one body, one spirit in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 14-16)

 Celebrant    Let us pray.

Almighty God, we give you thanks for surrounding us, as daylight fades, with the brightness of the vesper light; and we implore you of your great mercy that, as you enfold us with the radiance of this light, so you would shine into our heart the brightness of your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by that great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night: for the love of your only Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

 Psalm 141 (said together)

Let my prayer rise before you as incense; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly; hear my voice when I cry to you.

 Let my prayer rise before you as incense; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, and guard the door of my lips.

 Let not my heart incline to any evil thing; let me not be occupied in wickedness with evildoers.

But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God; in you I take refuge. Strip me not of my life.

 Let my prayer rise before you as incense; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

 

Prayers

 Celebrant       Hear my prayer, O Lord.

People             Listen to my cry.

Celebrant   Keep me as the apple of your eye;

People         Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

 Celebrant    In righteousness I shall see you;

People         When I awake, your presence will give me joy.

 Celebrant    Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

People         As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.

 

Hymn             O, Come All Ye Faithful, v. 1-3

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.

Refrain: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

 God from God, Light from Light eternal, lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb; only-begotten Son of the Father. (Refrain)

 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; glory to God, glory in the highest. (Refrain)

 

Collects      

 Celebrant   The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.

People        The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Celebrant   Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them light has shined.

People        We have beheld Christ’s glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

Celebrant   To us a child is born, to us a Son is given.

People        In the Word was life, and the life was the light of all people.

 Celebrant   Let us pray. Almighty God, you have filled us with the new light of the Word who became flesh and lived among us. Let the light of our faith shine in all we do; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

First Lesson                                                              Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11

God’s glory shines down on his people, whom he gathers as if a shepherd

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.

Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength. O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.

He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. For a child has been born for 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 grow 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.

 Reader        The Word of the Lord

People         Thanks be to God.

HYMN                                  O Little Town of Bethlehem v. 1-3

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary; 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 men on earth.

 

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.

 

Second Lesson                                                      Micah 5:2-5a

The king will come from Bethlehem

But you, O Bethlehem … from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.

 Reader        The Word of the Lord.

People         Thanks be to God.

 

Let us say together                                    Psalm 150:1–6:

 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament!

 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!

 Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

Let everything that breathes praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

 

Third Lesson                                                                     Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Reader        The Word of the Lord.

People         Thanks be to God.

 

HYMN #87 BLUE                                 Hark, the Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; nature rise and worship him, who is born in Bethlehem!


Refrain: Hark! The herald angels sing glory to the newborn King!

 Christ, by highest heaven adored: Christ, the everlasting Lord; late in time behold him come, offspring of a Virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity. Pleased as man with us to appear; Jesus, our Emmanuel here! (Refrain)

 Hail the Heav’n-born Price of Peace, Hail the son of righteousness. Light and life around he brings, ris’n with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we nor more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. (Refrain)

 The Gospel

Celebrant    The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

People         Glory to you, Lord Christ.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David: To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will towards all.” And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Reader        The Word of the Lord.

People         Thanks be to God.

 

Reflection                                                                        Pastor Neil

 

HYMN                   Angels, from the Realms of Glory, v. 1-2, 4

Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth; ye who sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth:

Refrain: Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.

Shepherds in the field abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night, God with us/man is now residing; yonder shines the infant light: (Refrain)

Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar; seek the great desire of nations, ye have seen his natal star. (Refrain)

 Saints before the altar bending, watching long in hope and fear, suddenly the Lord, descending, in his temple shall appear. (Refrain)               

All creation, join in praising God, the Father, Spirit, Son. Evermore your voices raising to th’eternal three in One. (Refrain)

 

Responsive Prayer

Celebrant    The Lord be with you.

People         And also with you.

Celebrant    Let us pray.

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.

Blessed are you, Prince of peace. You rule the earth with truth and justice. Send your gift of peace to all nations of the world.

Blessed are you, Son of Mary. You share our humanity.

Have mercy on the sick, the dying, and all who suffer this day.

Blessed are you, Son of God. You dwell among us as the Word made flesh. Reveal yourself to us in word and sacrament that we may bear your light to all the world.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

 

Blessing and Dismissal

Celebrant   Let us bless the Lord.

People        Thanks be to God.

 Officiant

May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child.

Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us now and forever. Amen.

 Celebrant    Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, alleluia, alleluia!

People         Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

 

Closing Hymn: Joy to the World!

 Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her king.

Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing,

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,

Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

 No more let sin and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground.

He come to make his blessings flow, far as the curse is found,

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 of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love!