Ward Hill Church of Christ the King – A Christ-Centered Community of Faith, Hope, & Love

The Eve of Christmas Day in the Year of our Lord 2020 – The Holy Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Please speak bold words and sing italicized words. * We invite you to stand as able.

Organ Prelude                                                                                    Anne Smith, organ

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In Jesus is life, the life that is the light of all people.

Jesus is the true Light which enlightens everyone, and He has come into the world.

* Hymn 208, verses 1 & 3   O Come, All Ye Faithful               ADESTE FIDELES

  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 (3x), Christ the Lord.

  Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,   Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above;

  Glory to God in the highest;   O come, let us adore him (3x), Christ the Lord.

* Invocation & the Lord’s Prayer: Our Father   (saying ‘debts’)

* Christmas Greeting  The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

Welcoming Christmas with the Advent and Nativity Candles

Collect for Christmas Eve/Day: O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Amen.

Welcoming the Children

Hymn 204, verses 1 & 3   Away in a Manger                    MUELLER

  Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;

  The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,   the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

  Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay close by me forever, and love me, I pray;

  Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,   and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

The Prophecy of Isaiah 9:2,6-7                                  

The Nativity according to St Luke 2:1-20                 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Hymn 201, verses 1 & 4   O Little Town of Bethlehem       ST LOUIS

  O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;

  Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by:

  Yet in the dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;

  The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

  O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;

  Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today.

  We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;

  O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

Homily  “A Child of Light”        Pastor Alex Burgess

* Carols by Candlelight         

 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 afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia;

 Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.

 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.

 

Joy to the World! The Lord is come; let earth receive her King;

 Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room, and heav’n and nature sing.

 He rules the world with truth & grace, & makes the nations prove

 The glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love.

* Christmas Benediction:  May the One, who by His Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God, the love of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit remain with you always. Go forth in peace and joy.

We give thanks to God. Alleluia!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We pray that God will bless and keep you in the Year of Our Lord 2021!