Lectionary Readings
Isaiah 62:6–12
Salvation comes; Jerusalem is restored; the people are redeemed.
Psalm 97
The Lord reigns over all the earth; light dawns for the righteous.
Titus 3:4–7
We are justified by the grace of Christ, reborn in the Holy Spirit.
Luke 2:(1–7) 8–20
To you is born this day a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
Prepare the way for the people.
Behold, our salvation comes.
Go through, go through the gates.
Behold, our salvation comes.
Stretch out, stretch out the highway.
Behold, our salvation comes.
Lift up, lift up a banner over the redeemed.
Let us worship God!
Prayer of the Day
God-with-us,
we have not earned salvation,
but out of your goodness and loving kindness,
you give it anyway.
At this new dawn
we give thanks for the mercy
we receive in Jesus Christ
through the waters of rebirth,
by the renewal of the Holy Spirit.
Teach us to respond to your grace with our lives,
that our works might share the hope of eternal life.
Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth, peace!
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving For Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the wonder and love you offer us
through the gift of our baptism—
your Word made flesh among us,
a child and Savior born to us,
good news of great joy for all.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
let us be born anew from above
so that we may give glory to you
and live as your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
Like a great light in a land of deep darkness,
the mercy of the Lord shines upon us.
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
O Christ, you were born in a humble stable,
because there was no room for you in the inn.
Forgive us when we foolishly think
that there is no room for you in our lives.
When we close the doors of our hearts to your word,
forgive us, and burst through them with your love.
When we close the doors of our minds to your challenge,
forgive us, and burst through them with your love.
When we close the doors of our homes, our churches, and our cities
to people you would have us welcome,
forgive us, and speak your angel’s words to us once more:
“Do not be afraid.”
Lifting water from the font:
Hear the promise of the Lord:
See, your salvation has come!
You are a holy people, redeemed by God,
sought out, not forsaken.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Gracious God, by the gift of your Holy Spirit
show us the Word made flesh—
good news of great joy for all—
so that we may sing with the angels:
glory in the highest and peace on earth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Treasure these words
and ponder them in your heart.
Luke 2:19
After the readings:
And the Word became flesh
and lived among us.
Thanks be to God.
John 1:14
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
Glory to God in the highest
and peace to God’s people on earth! Amen.
Luke 2:14
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Season of Advent (and Christmas)
The one sufficient revelation of God
is Jesus Christ,
the Word of God incarnate,
to whom the Holy Spirit
bears unique and authoritative witness
through the Holy Scriptures,
which are received and obeyed
as the word of God written.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.27
Prayers of the People
Rejoicing in the gift of Jesus Christ our Savior,
we pray for this world that God so loves,
saying: Emmanuel, God-with-us, hear our prayer.
With gratitude for your love, we pray for the church . . .
For the astounding and joyful news of Jesus’ birth,
we give you thanks and sing with the angels:
Glory to God in heaven and peace to all the earth!
Emmanuel, God-with-us, hear our prayer.
With gratitude for your love, we pray for the world . . .
We pray for peace where there is no peace.
We pray for wisdom where foolishness now reigns.
As we claim the name of Christ, may we witness to your glory.
Emmanuel, God-with-us, hear our prayer.
With gratitude for your love, we pray for this community . . .
Fill the shadowy places with your light.
Let a joyful song of love be sung in every place,
so that your beauty and strength may be praised.
Emmanuel, God-with-us, hear our prayer.
With gratitude for your love, we pray for loved ones . . .
We give thanks for those you have given to us to love.
As Mary pondered the wondrous events of her day,
may we, deep in our hearts, hold the wonder of your love.
Emmanuel, God-with-us, hear our prayer.
Holy One, as you have come to dwell among us,
show us how to live as your faithful people,
sharing the good news of your grace with all;
through Christ, your Word made flesh. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
From the fullness of God
we have all received grace upon grace.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
John 1:16
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
God Most High, receive the gifts of our lives
as an offering of gratitude for your grace.
Overshadow us with your Holy Spirit
and let it be with us according to your word,
for nothing is impossible with you. Amen.
Luke 1:35–38; 1 Corinthians 1:4
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
You keep watch over us, day and night, protecting us from enemies.
By your grace we enjoy our daily bread, and the fruit of our labor.
We are your holy people—redeemed, sought out, and not forsaken.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Born in a stable, he is our good shepherd, and your holy Lamb.
Lying in a manger, he is the bread of life, food for our souls.
Praised by the heavenly host, he is the hope and joy of all the earth.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Continue to lead us through the waters of renewal and rebirth,
bathed in the blessing of your Holy Spirit and the grace of Jesus Christ,
so that we may be heirs of your promise of everlasting life.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
God of shepherds and sheep,
we give you thanks
that you have gathered us here,
revealed to us your glory,
and fed us with your mercy.
Now send us out
with good news for all—
for us a child is born:
Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
The loving kindness of the Lord our God,
the grace of Jesus Christ our Savior,
and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit
be with you all. Alleluia!
Titus 3:4–7
Go and tell this good news of great joy:
to us a Savior is born. Amen.
Luke 2:10–11
Star of Bethlehem with Pomegranate Trees
by Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1850
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Angels We Have Heard on High (G) GLORIA GTG 113
- Raise a Song of Gladness (G) JUBILATE DEO GTG 155
- The First Nowell (G) THE FIRST NOWELL GTG 147
- There’s a Star in the East (G) FOLLOW GTG 135
WORD
- Away in a Manger (G) CRADLE SONG GTG 114, MUELLER 115
- ’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime (G) UNE JEUNE PUCELLE GTG 142
- Welcome to Our World (G) Chris Rice CCLI Song No. 2317391
- Who Would Think That What Was Needed (G) WHITE ROSETTES GTG 138
EUCHARIST
- Born in the Night, Mary’s Child (OG) MARY’S CHILD GTG 158
- He Came Down (EG) HE CAME DOWN GTG 137
- In the Bleak Midwinter (G) CRANHAM GTG 144
- Sheaves of Wheat (E) UNA ESPIGA GTG 532
SENDING
- Angels We Have Heard on High (G) GLORIA GTG 113
- Go, Tell It on the Mountain (OG) GO TELL IT GTG 136
- Joy to the World (G) ANTIOCH GTG 134
- On This Day Earth Shall Ring (G) GTG 141
Psalms and Canticles
Metrical
- God Reigns! Let Earth Rejoice! [MARION, NOEL NOUVELET]; GTG 365, PAS 97A
- God Reigns: Let Earth Rejoice! [GENEVAN 97]; PAS 97B
Responsorial
- Light Dawns for the Righteous; PAS 97C
- A Light Will Shine on Us This Day [THE FIRST NOWELL]; LP 12
Organ Music
- “When Christmas Morn Is Dawning,” Easy Organ Library, vol. 50, Steven Scott, LOR (ME)
- “Fantasia on THE FIRST NOWELL,” Easy Organ Library, vol. 50, Robert Hughes, LOR (ME)
- “The Coventry Carol,” And There Was a Star, James Southbridge, LOR (E)
- “Away in a Manger,” A Christmas Triptych, Set 3, John Ferguson, MSM (ME)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Arise and Shine for Thy Light Is Come,” Healey Willan, CON, SATB, org (M)
- “O Ye That Love the Lord,” Samuel Coleridge Taylor, ed. Garrett, MSM, SATB, org (M)
- “Awake, Arise!” Howard Helvey, MSM, SATB, tpt, org (A)
- “This Joyful Eastertide,” Wood/Leavitt, CON, SATB, acap (E)
- “Alleluia, Praise to the Lord That Reigns on High,” Lloyd Larson, BP, SATB, tpt, kybd (E)
- “Born Today,” Richard Proulx, GIA, 2 pt mx, hb (E)
Handbell Music
- “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” Jason Krug, 2‑3 oct, HOPE, 2964, Level 1
- “Away in a Manger,” Anna Laura Page, 2‑3 oct or 3‑5 oct, CGA, CGB1179 or CGB1180, Level 2
- “He Came Down,” Cathy Moklebust, 2‑3 or 3‑5 oct, opt hc, perc, CGA, CGB1174 or CGB117, Level 3-
Art
- Star of Bethlehem with Pomegranate Trees, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (VDL)
- Shepherds, John August Swanson (VDL)
- The Only Room, Frank Wesley (VDL)
- For Joy, Jan Richardson (JR)
