Hearing the Christmas story from the saints of all ages
Organ Prelude and Personal Meditation
Welcome and Announcements
Call to Worship: (from Isaiah and John)
Arise! Shine! for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you!
(Isaiah 60:1)
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6)
See! Darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
(Isaiah 60:2)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:4)
Hymn of Christmas Celebration: "O Come, All Ye Faithful"
(HB 170, PsH 340, RL 195, TH 151)
God's Greeting
Our Response:
Saints and angels join in praising
God the Father, Spirit, Son,
evermore their voices raising
to th' eternal three in one:
come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn King!
The Voices of Christmas Past
The Lonely Voice of the Prophet: Isaiah 11:1-5
Hymn of Praise: "Of the Father's Love Begotten"
(HB 7, PsH 342, RL 191, TH 122)
The Surprised Voice of Mary: Luke 1:46-55
Hymn of Shared Delight: "Song of Mary"
(PsH 212)
The Choral Voice of the Angels: Luke 2:1-14
Hymn of Glory: "Glory to God" ("Ere zij God")
(PsH 214)
The Grateful Voice of Simeon: Luke 2:21-35
Meditation
The Voices of Christmas Present
The Thankful Voice in a Prayer of Devotion
The Joyful Voice in Song: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
(HB 163, PsH 345, RL 196, TH 168)
The Sympathetic Voice in Gift-Giving
The Committed Voice in Testimony:
Lord, be a light in our darkness long after Christmas candles die. Give us the Gift that keeps on giving through the ministry of your Spirit. Help us to live with a deep-down gladness, knowing that you are present in our world, In our joy, in our loving, in our giving.
Lord, on Christmas Day we ask you to accept our laughter and our love, for we cannot be solemn or sad on the birthday of your Son. You demand no gift-exchange, but the present we would make to you is ourselves. With Jesus, our brother, your incredible gift to us, we glorify your name!
The Voices of Christmas Future
The Magnificent Voice of Saints in Glory: Revelation 7:9-17
Hymn of Hope: "Christians, Aiuake"
(PsH 350, RL 197)
The Renewing Voice of God: God's Blessing and Our "AMEN!"
The Glorious Voice of Creation Renewed: "Joy to the World!"
(HB 161, PsH 337, RL 198, TH 149)
Postlude and Christian Fellowship
This service was first held on Christmas Day 1989 in First Christian Reformed Church of London, Ontario.
Hymns in this service are found in the following hymnals: The Hymnbook (HB), Psalter Hymnal (PsH), Rejoice in the Lord (RL), Trinity Hymnal (TH).