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 —
Call to Worship
How beautiful are the messengers of peace.
Glory to God in the highest!
Proclaim the good news of salvation.
Glory to God in the highest!
The ends of the earth shall see
the Word made flesh among us.
Glory to God in the highest!
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 Intercession
God of glory,
we sing to you.
We pray for peoples around the world . . .
Foster peace and equity among the nations.
God of glory, hear our prayer.
We pray for musicians and artists . . .
Grant us instruments and materials we need
to give you praise.
God of glory, hear our prayer.
We pray for those impacted by natural disasters . . .
Send hope in heartbreak and helpers in devastation.
God of glory, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who are alone
or grieving this Christmas . . .
Surround them with your comfort.
God of glory, hear our prayer.
God of glory,
you came among us
to show us the ways of love.
Light our path with justice and peace,
that we may learn to follow;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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
- Here in This Place (GATHER US IN) GTG 401 (O)
- O Word of God Incarnate (MUNICH) GTG 459 (E)
- Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (IN DULCI JUBILO) GTG 132 (G)
- Go, Tell It on the Mountain (GO TELL IT) GTG 136 (G)
WORD
- It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (CAROL) GTG 123 (O)
- Goodness Is Stronger than Evil (GOODNESS IS STRONGER) GTG 750 (O)
- Cuán gloriosa será la mañana (CUÁN GLORIOSA SERÁ LA MAÑANA) SSS 358 (E)
- Womb of Life and Source of Being (RAQUEL) GTG 3 (G)
EUCHARIST
- Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light (ERMUNTRE DICH) GTG 130 (O)
- God Is Here Today (DIOS ESTÁ AQUÍ) GTG 411 (E)
- My Song Is Love Unknown (LOVE UNKNOWN) GTG 209 (G)
- Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (PICARDY) GTG 347 (G)
SENDING
- Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning (MORNING STAR) EH 117 (O)
- Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending (HELMSLEY) GTG 348 (E)
- Joy to the World (ANTIOCH/RICHMOND) GTG 134/266 (G)
- God’s Love Made Visible (POSADA) WR 226 (G)
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 98
Metrical
- New Songs of Celebration Render [RENDEZ À DIEU] GTG 371
- Joy to the World [ANTIOCH] GTG 134
Responsorial
- Sing to the Lord a New Song PAS 98A
- Sing a New Song to the Lord UMH 818
Organ Music
- “Élévation No. 2, ‘Or nou dites Marie, Nous voici dans la ville,’” Livre de Noëls, Op. 60, Book 1, Alexandre Guilmant, IMSLP (ME)
- “Sortie: Laissez paître vos bêtes / Venez, divin Messie,” Pièces posthumes, César Franck, IMSLP (MA)
- “Postlude on MENDELSSOHN,” The Oxford Book of Christmas Organ Music, arr. David Willcocks, OUP (A)
- “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen,” Christmas Preludes for Organ, arr. Robert Jones, KM (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “The Word Was God,” Rosephanye Powell, GP, SATB, acap or pno (M/A)
- “Christmas Day,” Gustav Holst, OUP, org (M)
- “Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child,” arr. Mark Hayes, JM, pno (E)
- “Wexford Carol,” arr. Elaine Hagenburg, EHB, pno, ob (M)
- “Zither Carol,” arr. Malcolm Sargent, OUP, acap (A)
- “African Noel,” arr. Andre Thomas, LG, acap (M)
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)
