Christmas Eve Service
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH
CHRISTMAS EVE DECEMBER 24 2021
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
Today we remember the candles of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love
We rejoice as we light the candle of Christ - the Child born for us
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
- St. Andrew's welcomes you to this Christmas Eve service. We pray that God will bless you with his love, joy, peace, and hope for the days ahead as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May this time be a safe harbour from all the stressors in your world and may you know the presence of Emmanuel, God with us; who will see you through all the challenges this world will throw at you. Rest in Him even now.
- We thank Rev. Shirley Cochrane for preparing and leading us in worship this Christmas Eve; may God bless you Shirley even as you have been such a blessing to all of us.
- We also remember our minister Rev. Ena van Zoeren who continues her recovery from surgery. May God bless and keep you and sustain you Ena, and we wish you a Blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with hope and promise.
CALL TO WORSHIP
God has come into the world. Glory to God in the highest!
This is the good news for all people: to us is born a Saviour,
who is Christ the Lord.
The world is transformed. And things cannot remain the same.
It is made new in hope, peace, joy and love.
In this silent night,
We ponder your mystery with Mary and Joseph.
On this holy night,
We come with the shepherds to worship.
On this night of joy for the world,
We sing praises with choirs of angels.
In the darkness of this night,
We celebrate the Light of the World.
HYMN 146 Angels from the realms of glory
OPENING PRAYER
God of mystery and wonder, Creator, Christ and Spirit, on this holy night, the angels sing your praises with great joy! Glory to you, O God! The shepherds welcome your saving love, born in a manger. Glory to you, O God! Mary and Joseph ponder your promise, cradled in their arms. Glory to you, O God! And so, we come to praise you, singing with the angels, amazed with the shepherds, cradling the Christ Child in our hearts. Glory to you, O God, Source of Love for all people. Source of light, shine in our lives and in your world with your transforming power. Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
HYMN 147 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.2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heavenly song?Gloria in excelsis Deo.
3. Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.Gloria in excelsis Deo.
4. See him in a manger laid,
whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while our hearts in love we raise.Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Let us join together in a prayer of confession ….
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of grace and mercy,
you give us the greatest gift of all, your Son Jesus,
but we confess we get caught up in our own gift
giving on this holy night.
You offer us new life in the babe of Bethlehem,
but we smile at the baby and forget the new direction he offers.
Jesus was born in human flesh,
but we fail to see the dignity in the human lives around us.
Forgive us, O God, and help us cherish the
meaning in your gifts of wonder in the Christ Child.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The angels brought glad tidings that first Christmas night. Their words still echo through the ages, “Do not be afraid.” This very night, a Saviour is born for all of us in this hurting world. Accept the forgiveness that the Christ Child brings for you and rejoice with the angels.
THE PEACE
May the peace of Christ be with you this Christmas and for always and also with you
As has been our tradition since the beginning of the pandemic everchanging mandates , we share a wave of peace with each other remaining seated.
HYMN 148 It came upon a 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:
'To all the earth goodwill and peace,
from heaven's all gracious King!'
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.2. Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o'er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o'er its babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.3. But with the woes of sin and strife,
the world has suffered long;
beneath the angel strain have rolled
two thousand years of wrong,
but we, through din of war, hear not
the love song which they bring.
Oh hush the noise, Oh still the strife
and hear the angels sing.4. And ye, beneath life's crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
Oh rest beside the weary road
and hear the angels sing.5. For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophets seen of old,
when with the ever circling years
shall come the time foretold,
when peace shall over all the earth
God's promised splendours fling,
and all the world take up the song,
which now the angels sing.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder
. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in bat and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6 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.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Micah 5: 2 & 4
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans[a] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
4 He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
HYMN 143 Infant holy , infant lowly
- Infant ho ly, infant lowly,
for his bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing,
Nowells ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Christ the babe is Lord of all.2. Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
vigil till the morning new,
saw the glory, heard the story,
tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
praises voicing greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you.
Christ the babe was born for you.
Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Luke 2:1-20
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
HYMN 161 What child is this
- What child is this, who, laid to rest,
on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the son of Mary.2. Why lies he in such mean estate
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce him through,
the cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
the babe, the son of Mary.3. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh;
come, peasant, king, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings;
let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high;
the virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
the babe, the son of Mary.
MEDITATION
God of wisdom and life, send your Holy Spirit to open our hearts to hear your promise of new life in the familiar stories of Christmas. Surprise us with new insights. Refresh us with deep wisdom - wrap us with the grace of your Good News as we attend to the baby in the manger. Amen.
The Christmas story begins in darkness. The first verses of our gospel reading plunges us into the political realities of the world into which Jesus is born. There is the darkness of oppression, for God's people are a conquered people. They are a beaten and a defeated people. There is the darkness of persecution. There is the darkness of disillusionment. Indeed, it is a despised universal taxation that brings the participants in the story together on this fateful night. There is an ever-increasing number who feel that violence, not faith, is the most effective path. Yes, the mood is very likely one of despair and resignation.
Roman imperialism is just reaching the height of its power and control. having expanded dramatically. Everywhere they go, the legions of the Roman army battle with the many nations and barbarian tribes who dare to oppose them. The Romans overpower and vanquish many with their strict discipline, their superior weapons, and their fine-tuned warfare strategy. The coffers need filling, and the best source is the people. So, the Emperor issues instructions that all must go to their ancestral home and pay the determined amount of taxes So to Bethlehem Joseph must go Luke reminds us that Bethlehem is a city of David and Joseph is of the house of David, Bethlehem is, just a tiny town within a little province; a little province within an insignificant region; an insignificant region within this vast empire. Trust the government to pick this time, “All the world must be registered” (verse 1) according to Caesar Augustus.
Joseph is worried. It’s been a long trek. Baby’s birth is so near yet Mary insisted on coming with him to Bethlehem. They have travelled 90 miles to the city of Joseph's ancestors: south along the flatlands of the Jordan River, then west over the hills surrounding Jerusalem, and on into Bethlehem. It has been a grueling, five-day journey. Nowhere in any Gospel does it say that Mary did anything but walk.
Now with all these folks who have also assembled in the town, there is no place for them to bed down Mary let him know a while ago that the pains of birthing have started. Now all you women who have birthed a child know what is happening. Luke spares us the detail. Tradition tells us they find a place in an outbuilding somewhere and it is there the child is born.
Actually, it is the LORD God, directing these events, directing everything according to his goals and his plan. Just as God had promised, the Saviour is a Son of David. Just as God had promised, the Saviour is born in David’s Bethlehem. God had given his Word, and God will see it fulfilled, no matter what takes—even if He has to move the greatest empire of the earth,
From the moment this baby draws a breath and even before the angels sing, this baby is seen as a threat by those currently holding power. Rome will tolerate no other king and a message of “judging all of the people with equity” will not be well received by those in Judah who see themselves as superior to others and more deserving of God’s favor. Jesus’s message will shake the foundations of power. The nations are called to set aside their own visions of power and praise the one who is truly King
Out on the quiet hills a sudden experience of brilliant light and angels singing flood over a small group of Shepherds. Whoa! What! With shaking and fear they cower and listen to the amazing message brought by the angel. The shepherds put things together well enough to become jubilant. They’re promised a baby, Leaving the sheep and felids they head into the town. They see the baby, and they recognize that the rest of what they have been told is true. Here he is, the One whom God has sent to show God’s favor. On an ordinary night in a darkness that we electrified people can scarcely imagine, they are brought from enormous fear to the joy promised by angels Clearly this night Heaven and earth meet in obscure places,
Certainly, very few people in Palestine see and hear and understand what is taking place this night. The choirs of angels singing are drowned out by the haggling and trading going on in the Jerusalem bazaar. There is a bright star in the sky but the only ones who apparently pay any attention to it are pagan astrologers from somewhere beyond. Other folks are too preoccupied with their own problems to offer any assistance. Yet that birth, that Joy is for all people, in verse 14a, “peace (good will) among those with whom God favors” is not a phrase designed to limit God’s favor and peace to a few. It is all of us - we human creatures, along with God’s other creatures, have been favored. The light shone in those dark fields and on that dim obscure place in Bethlehem because God longs, has always longed, for us to know and love God.
Now if this is only an Israelite moment, this birth truly is a trivial event: He is only a small Jewish Saviour, for a small Jewish people. But what happened in Bethlehem is a moment of great consequence and meaning. The world didn’t stop turning that day, but the world has never be the same. For to bring about this moment, God moves the nations, even moving the greatest empire the world has ever seen.
Thus, it was then and thus it is now. We too live in a world of darkness. There are wars and rumors of wars, hunger and unemployment, racism, loneliness, a pandemic and a sense of emptiness.
How are you changed by Christmas? What would our world be like if Christ Jesus had not come to free us from sin and bring us God’s love and grace?
Will we strain our ears for a heavenly choir or a newborn cry? "We often talk about the need to put Christ back into Christmas..." but if we look through the tinsel and carols "...we will discover that Christ never left..."
God continues to come to those who will look through the season and find the heart of Christmas. He still comes to those with shepherd's eyes and ears with unexpected invitations to celebration. For it is not in the glory, but in the ordinary that the Savior still chooses to come. The sights and sounds are just the wrapping - the true gift lies within. So found the shepherds. So should we. Be open to Christ’s surprising presence this season. Amen.
HYMN 152 Still, still, still
- Still, still, still,
he sleeps this night so chill!
The Virgin's tender arms enfolding,
warm and safe the child are holding.
Still, still, still,
he sleeps this night so chill!2. Sleep, sleep, sleep,
he lies in slumber deep,
while angel hosts from heaven come winging,
sweetest songs of joy are singing.
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
he lies in slumber deep.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
God of the starry heavens and the good earth, Eternal God, God with us
Tonight, you come among us in the figure of a baby, a newborn reaching out to us, to bring a smile to our lips and hope to our hearts.
Thank you for your tenderness with which you touch our lives.
Tonight, as we remember the baby lying in a manger,
We pray for peace:
Peace in all the places where there is anger or war or fear…
Peace in all the hearts that know sorrow or stress…
We pray for people who will not sleep safely tonight
because of conflict in their lives…..
Cradle all these people and places in your love
so, the world may sleep in heavenly peace this night.
Tonight, as we remember the mother Mary rocking her baby,
we pray for all children born this Christmas season…
Watch over mothers and fathers and grandparents,
hoping for the best for their newborns…
Help us create communities where every child is valued
and every family has enough …
May families rejoice because Christ the Saviour is born
for each of us and for all of us.
Tonight, as we remember the father Joseph protecting his little one,
we pray for all those watching over the helpless and the hopeless...
Be with all those who must work tonight
to keep the world safe and to care for those in need….
Be with those who are sick or sad or lonely
so each one will know your comforting presence…
God of the starry heavens and the good old earth,
Eternal God, God with us,
Tonight, as we remember the shepherds coming in haste,
and the wise men coming in wonder,
open our hearts to reach out to the Christ Child,
to receive the gift you offer us in him,
even as we offer our love to you in his name.
Bless us in the year ahead so we can share your love
with all the lives that touch ours.
And now in one voice we pray the prayer that Jesus taught.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Lighting of candles light my candle from the Christ candle and pass to first person sitting in the pews then I will sing
SOLO Shirley “O Holy Night”
BENEDICTION
May God who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior birth fill you with joy and make you heralds of the gospel May the blessing of God almighty , Father Son and Holy Spirit linger upon you and remain with you always
HYMN 154 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.2. Silent night! holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight:
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing 'Hallelujah,
Christ, the Saviour is born!
Christ, the Saviour is born!'3. 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.