Carols can be sung without accompaniment & from memory.
One verse is sung of each carol
You may wish to have several copies of this for people to share.
Gathering: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
In the light, let us gather. Let us hear the story of Christmas.
Let us sing and rejoice in the birth of the child who is Emmanuel, God with Us.
Prayer: In whispers at night, in daytime surprises,
In barns and houses, in schools and workplaces,
you come to us over and over again, Loving God,
in the voice of a child, in the birth of a baby, in a caring act.
With hope, with healing, with love,
be born in our lives again this Christmas Eve. Amen.
(light first candle)
Scripture: Luke 1:26-31
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a young woman engaged to a man whose name was Joseph. The young woman’s name was Mary. The angel said, “Greetings, favoured one! God is with you!” But Mary was bothered by the angel’s words and wondered why he would greet her in such a way. Then the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. You will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and be called the Son of God most high…. For nothing is impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here I am, the servant of the Lord. Let it be with me according to you word. Then the angel departed from her.
Carol (1 verse) Joy to the world, the Lord is come,
let earth receive her King.
let every heart prepare Him room.
And heaven and nature sing.
And heaven and nature sing.
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
(light second candle)
Scripture: Matthew 1: 18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they had lived together, Mary was found to be with child. Joseph planned to divorce her quietly, but an angel came to Joseph in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for her child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, Jesus, who will be Emmanuel, which means, “God is with us,”…When Joseph awoke from sleep,….he took Mary as his wife, but had no martial relations with her until she had born a son, and he named him Jesus.
Carol (1 verse) 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.
(light third candle)
Scripture: Luke 2:1-5
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was a descendent of the house of David. He went to be registered with Mary to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
Carol (1 verse) O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by,
yet in thy dark street shineth the everlasting light.
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
(light fourth candle)
Scripture: Luke 2:6-7
While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for him in the inn.
Carol (1 verse) 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.
The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes.
The little Lord Jesus no crying He makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus, Look down from the sky,
and stay by my cradle until morning is nigh.
(light fifth candle)
Scripture: Luke 8-20
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for I am bringing you good news. Today is born in the city of David a Saviour who is the Messiah. You will find the child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly a multitude of angels appeared, singing and praising God, “Glory to God in the highest and peace to all people on earth!”
Then the shepherds went with haste to Bethlehem, and they found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.
Carol (1 verse) Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king.
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinner reconciled.”
Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies,
with angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king.”
(light sixth candle)
Scripture: Revelation 21:1-6
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth;
for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,…
And I heard a loud voice from God’s throne saying,
See, the home of God is among mortals.
God will dwell with them as their God;
they will be God’s people,
and God himself will be with them;
God will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.
Then God spoke to me, “See I am making all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.”
Prayers:
In the circle of God’s light and love, we remember all whom we love; the saints of our family who have journeyed before us: (name those loved ones who have passed away)
and our family who couldn’t be here tonight/today: (name those loved ones who are celebrating elsewhere, live far away or are working at this time)
Gracious and loving God,
as we walk together as a family
through laughter and tears,
through births and deaths,
through celebrations and through grieving,
may we remember that we are always held in your love.
May we feel your tender touch wiping away our tears.
May we feel your gentle presence bringing peace to our hearts.
May we feel your strength drawing us together to find healing and hope.
Gracious and loving God,
we thank you that we are a family.
We thank you for the gifts of being together
for sharing of laughter and love,
for comfort in tears and grief,
for support through difficulties and disappointments,
for willingness to work through differences and disagreements.
for being accepted for who we are and as we are.
May your love draw us ever closer to one another.
Gracious and Loving God,
we thank you for the gift of faith
and for the gift of your Son, whose birth we prepare to celebrate.
May this Christmas bring us
a new understanding of your presence in our lives
and a deeper trust in your love for us.
May we celebrate with joy the good news that God is with us, we are not alone.
As a family who follows the way of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
(You may wish to include a time of saying what you are thankful for and/or praying your own personal prayers.)
(light seventh candle)
Scripture: Isaiah 9:2b &6
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.
For a child has been born to us, a son given to us…
and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Carol (1 verse) 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.
Blessing: A Celtic Blessing (from the Iona Community)
On our heads and our houses, the blessing of God;
In our coming and our going, the peace of God;
In our life and our believing, the love of God;
At our end and new beginning,
the arms of God to welcome us and bring us home. Amen.
Home
(403) 652-3168