A Candlelight Christmas Eve
December 24, 2016
Compiled by Pastor Dan Kennedy
Prelude
Welcome
O Come All Ye Faithful
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;
O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.
Sing choirs of angels sing in exultation
Sing all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God in the highest:
O come let us adore Him Christ the Lord.
O come let us adore Him Christ the Lord.
O come let us adore Him Christ the Lord.
The Image of the Invisible God
Philippians 2:5–11
________: 5 Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
CONGREGATION: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
________: 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
CONGREGATION: 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
________: 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
________: 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
CONGREGATION: 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Joy to the World
Joy to the world the Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heav’n and nature sing, and Heav’n and nature sing,
And Heav’n and Heav’n and nature sing.
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.
________________ A Christmas Prayer
God’s Gift Revealed
through Jesus Christ’s Virgin Birth
_________ Colossians 1:15
15 He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Jesus’ Virgin Birth Revealed
__________ Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (meaning, “God with us”).
__________ Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
The Coventry Carol __________
God’s Gift Revealed
through Jesus Christ’s Humble Birth
Christmas Scripture Reading with Christmas Carols
Luke 2:1-18
CONGREGATION: “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem.”
O Little Town
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 Thy holy birth! And praises sing to God the King and peace to men on earth!
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift was 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!
__________: “Joseph went there because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.” (Luke 2:4b-5)
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O come, O come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel;
that morns in lonely exile here,
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
__________: “And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:6-7)
While Shepherds Watched
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, the angel of the Lord came down and glory shone around, and glory shone around.
CONGREGATION: “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.” (Luke 2:8-9)
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old; from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold. Peace on the earth goodwill to men, from heaven’s all glorious King! The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing!
Susan Bond: “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)
“Mary Did You Know” __________
Advent Candle: The Christ Candle
__________:
“Tonight, is the night! Tonight, we light the final candle in the center of the Advent wreath. This is the Christ candle. Tonight, we celebrate the birth of our Savior!
The Bible says that in the fullness of time, God sent His Son. At the right time, on the right night, and in the right year, Jesus, our Savior, was born. God, the Creator, became flesh and lived among us: He came to save us.
For four weeks now we have watched each candle being lit. Each week the light has grown as we anticipated this night. As we light the Christ candle, we recognize that Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, is born. He is the light of the World and the Light that lights up every heart.
Tonight, we celebrate the birth of our Lord!”
[Lighting of the middle candle.]
Jesus Christ Is King
Prophets promised Christ would come; Virgin-born in Bethlehem,
Messianic Savior, King; Jesus is my Hope!
Angels filled the sky with praise; Shepherds watched in awe, amazed,
Joyfully they worshipped Him; Jesus is my Peace!
Humbly, God became a man, Sacrifice was in God’s Plan;
Risen from the dead, He lives! Jesus, God’s great Love!
Jesus is my Hope, my Joy, Jesus is my Peace, God’s Love,
Jesus, the Redeemer King; Jesus is my King!
(see music at: http://www.pastorkennedy.com/Original_Music/Jesus_Is_My_King_%28in_F%29.html )
CONGREGATION: “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 among those with whom he is pleased!’”
Angels We Have Heard on High
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
__________: “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’” (Luke 2:15)
Away in a Manger
Away in a manger no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay;
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing the Baby awakes.
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love Thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
__________: “And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:16)
__________: And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. (Luke 2:17-18)
Go Tell It On the Mountain
Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born! (Sing two times)
__________: “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)
CONGREGATION: “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” (Luke 2:20)
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;
With th’ angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! The herald angels sing glory to the newborn King.
God’s Gift of Christ Revealed through the Revelation of a Royal Star
“O Holy Night” __________
Matthew 2:1-12
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose2 and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
We Three Kings
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts, we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star, O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies,
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
God’s Image Revealed
By Pastor Dan Kennedy
2016
The Image of God
Into the image of man
A humbling reversal indeed
For the Image of God
Through His Word, had formed man
All humanity sprang from His seed.
A trust that was broken
Incurred broken hearts
Both of God’s and of ours, tragically
That’s why the Image of God
and the image of man
Disclosed God’s virgin-born gift humanly.
Jesus Christ, God the Son
Our Redeemer had come
God’s Light and our Savior revealed
He lived and He died; For our sins – crucified
Broken hearts,
Through Faith in Him
Can be healed.
God’s Gift Revealed to the World through Those Who Believe in Jesus Christ
CONGREGATION:
Hebrews 1:3
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Matthew 28:18–20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Lighting of the Candles
Silent night!
Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright,
‘Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent Night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven a far,
Heavenly hosts sing, Alleluia.
Christ the Savior is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!
(Raise candles as we sing the last verse)
Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Benediction
Postlude