Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King! Round yon virgin, mother and Child, Holy Infant, so tender and mild. Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. We are filled with hope for the angels still sing in our world We are filled with love for we have tasted the sign of God's great love. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION We are filled with joy for we have heard good news of great joy. This is the good news: God has heard our confession. That light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness has never been able to put it out. The true light that enlightens all has come into the world. Hear now our silent and personal confessions as we prepare ourselves for your nativity. Give us the courage to lay ourselves open to the wonder and healing of your coming.īe born again into our world, be born again into our hearts and lives. Partly because we do not want a Christ-Child in our lives or in our world.įorgive us, break us, bend us, remake us. We confess that Christmas has become more to us than the birthday of the Christ, We confess that we find your good news frightening and unsettling,Įspecially when we consider its demands as well as its promises. Merciful God, we confess that often we find darkness more comfortable than light. Haste, haste to bring him laud the Babe, the Son of Mary. This, this is Christ the King whom shepherds guard and angels sing. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, king, to own Him. (People are seated all lights are dimmed - DARKNESS except altar candles, Chrismon tree and Advent wreath candles) This we pray in the name of the Child of Bethlehem. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those God favors." Sing, O angels, in the stillness of our hearts, Shine, O Light, in the darkness of our world. That we may know the peace and fullness of this holy time. In the excitement of this night, quiet our hearts We have come to hear again the timeless story of Christ's birth. With joy and thanksgiving we gather as your people. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing, Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning, We too would thither bend our joyful footsteps. See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle, Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation. Son of the Father, begotten, not created. True God of true God, Light from Light eternal. O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,Ĭome and behold Him, born the King of angels, Now there is reason to hope, to love, to laugh, to live. In the darkness of our world shines God's holy light. I print words to the hymns in the bulletin.įeel free to substitute anthems, solos, or other service music.įor the lighting of the Advent Wreath this year, use choral or congregational music.ĭecember 24, 2009, 5:00 p.m. In the liturgy, the congregation reads all that is printed in bold. These are placed to the right of the angel candles. The king candles are a variety of shades of purple, placed in silver candlesticks on a fabric of red velvet.These are placed to the left of the angel candles. The shepherd candles are a variety of shades of green, placed in wooden candleholders on a green shade of fabric.One is taller than the others - this is the Gabriel candle. The angel candles are yellow, placed in crystal candleholders on a glittery gold fabric directly behind the Mary and Joseph candles.Baby Jesus - simple, clear round candleholder with white votive candle.Joseph- royal blue candle in simple ceramic candleholder, can be similar or identical to Mary's.Mary - light blue candle in simple ceramic candleholder.Mary, Joseph and Baby candles are placed on a muslin or burlap fabric in the center of the table.Candles will be lighted by an acolyte during the service as specified by the program notes included in this copy of the service. Each candle symbolizes a character in the narrative. I use a variety of candle lengths and place them on various kinds of fabrics at varying heights for interest. The following candles should be placed on a table in the chancel area in preparation for the service. This service is a variation on a service of light - an opposite of a tenebrae service.
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