#ChristmasEve Liturgy, Lessons and Carols

Highlights: Includes Joseph emphasizing Emmanuel, Includes Mary’s Magnificat (recently decided that this should be essential for Christmas Eve as it tells why Jesus is coming), dovetails Myrrh/Communion also, ends with the Shepherds rejoicing/Joy to the World & Mary’s pondering/Silent Night

*Highly rec passing out some kind of manger stickers for kids to participate/follow along with during the worship

Prelude                “ O Holy Night”

FIRST LESSON                                                               Luke 1:26-35, 38                                 CAROL                     “It Came Midnight Clear”

WELCOME              

SECOND LESSON                                                   Matthew 1:18-23                                    CAROL “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

Prayer of Confession (Unison) Merciful God, we confess that we find your good news frightening and unsettling, especially when we consider its demands as well as its promises. Forgive us, melt us, mold us, remake us. Give us the courage to lay ourselves open to the wonder and healing of your coming. Be born again into our world, be born again into our hearts and lives. Hear now our silent and personal confessions as we prepare ourselves for your nativity. (Silent Confession)  Amen —–based on a prayer written by Rev. Lee Ann Higgins 

Assurance of Forgiveness: Christ has come, love incarnate, salvation of the world! Know the Good news, Jesus Christ will be born this very night, and it is in him we are each, and every one of us, forgiven Thanks be to God.

THIRD LESSON Luke 1: 46-55                                                                                      Contemplative Music: “Away in the Manger” 

FOURTH LESSON Luke 2:1-7                                                                                                Lighting of the Christ Candle: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love & Christ

 All Children are invited forward to assist with the lighting (Note I let the children light the candles each week, basically youngest to oldest, we have about 12 kids and usually end up impromptu-ly including them all)

Anthem

FIFTH LESSON                                                               Luke 2:8-12                   CAROL                                          “The First Nowell” v. 1-2

SIXTH LESSON             Luke 2:13-14                                                                       CAROL                       “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Offering                                              

FOURTH LESSON Matthew 2:1-12                                                                                    CAROL “We Three Kings of Orient Are” v. 1-4

Holy Communion

Invitation from Christ

The Lord be with you

And also with you

Lift up your hearts

We lift our hearts to the lord

Give thanks to the Lord our God

It is right to give our thanks and praise….(prayer continues)

….and praying as his son taught us to pray……..The Lord’s Prayer (unison)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the glory and power forever. Amen.

Bread & Cup: Communion will be taken by intinction, where congregants come forward and dip the bread in the cup. If you need assistance, the pastor will come to serve you individually.]

SIXTH LESSON Luke 2:15-18, 20                                                                     CAROL                                                         “Joy to the World”

SIXTH LESSON Luke 2:19                                                                                     CAROL                                                         “Silent Night”