Christmas Eve - December 24th
Christ
Christmas Eve
December 24th
Call to Worship
Reader 1: The people walking in darkness, have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
Reader 2: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
Reader 1: And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Opening Prayer
O God, who makes us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that as we joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, so may we have sure confidence in him to provide when we face life’s fears. Amen.
Scripture Reading
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
Suggestion: You might also consider reading the Christmas story as it’s found in Luke 2:1-20
Reflection
Immanuel means “God with us.” The Christmas story is about God moving into the neighborhood or becoming human like us. It’s about how far God would travel to be with us.
When have you felt the closest to God? (Maybe about a particular church service or favorite worship song?) When have you felt the furthest from God?
Break it down for kids
Who are some of your best friends?
Did you know God wants to be your friend too? It says in scripture that God is with us, which means God wants to be friends with us too! But unlike other friends, God will always be there—right now, later tonight, and in the morning. God never leaves! Christmas is about God coming to earth, to live among us, and now Jesus lives here forever through God’s spirit in our hearts.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far:
Hope: God is our light. God can protect us when we are scared.
Fath: God is here, and we believe in God even when we can’t see God.
Joy: God wants us to be happy, and everyone else too.
Peace: God wants everyone to be treated fairly, God will never leave us.
Candle Lighting
Light all five candles.
Today we light all five candles: Hope: We continue to hope in God, even when it’s dark. Faith: We believe in God, even when we can’t see God working. Joy: We rejoice in the good things God is doing. And Peace: we partner with God in making this a place is just for everyone. Finally, we light the Christ candle to celebrate the great distance Jesus travels to be with us: there is nowhere, in life or death, that can separate us from God’s love, in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
Carol
Away in a Manger
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,
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.
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 take us to heaven to live with thee there.
Closing Prayer
Thank you God for never leaving us. Thank you God for coming to us. Thank you God for the gift of your Son, our Savior. Thank you, God. Thank you. Amen.
