CALL TO WORSHIP
Tonight the soles of God’s feet have touched the earth.
Tonight, the back streets and the forgotten places have been lit up with significance.
Tonight, the households of earth welcome the King of heaven, for Christ has come among us; Christ is one of us!
So may our songs rise to surround his throne as our knees bend to salute his cradle.
—Common Order, Church of Scotland (alt.)
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God, Creator and Ruler of all worlds, who in the beginning created light to dispel darkness: We bless you for the light of your love, seen in the face of the Christ Child. We worship and adore you with heartfelt gratitude for the fulfillment in him of the promise of the ages. Blessed are you, Lord God most holy for you have visited and redeemed your people; and holy is the Name in which we pray, even Jesus your Son. Amen.
—Chalice Worship (alt.)
Merciful God, we thank you that you meet us in the face of a Child. And because of him, we can be ourselves in your presence. In that same spirit, help us to be more open with one another, so that we can share strength in our weakness, forgiveness for our shortcomings, comfort in our grief, courage when we are afraid, and hope when we are discouraged.
Lord, we pray for all those who have a heavy heart during this sacred season: For those who no longer feel at home in the world, the uprooted, the restless, the desperate. May the presence of Christ that we celebrate at Christmas be the love that we share with those who need him most.
We pray to you for all who have closed themselves off to the Christmas message—those who are indifferent, those who scorn your healing word. We pray for the disappointed and the embittered. And we lift up to you those who preach hatred instead of love, division instead of unity, war instead of peace. Do not leave them as they are, but soften their hard hearts; open them up to the possibilities of love and life.
Finally, O God, we pray for those who rejoice this night, especially earth's children. Protect them and preserve the joy of life for all who receive it in the Name of the One whose birth brings peace and joy to our hearts. Amen.
—inspired by the German Reformed liturgy
COMMUNION PRAYER
We thank you, O God of all creation, that in the fullness of time, you sent your Son to us in the form of a helpless Child to bring life and immortality to light. Help us to receive him into our hearts with gratitude, joy, and humility. And as you him, so send your Spirit now to settle on these gifts of bread and wine. Open our hearts to recognize in them the very presence of the One we saw in the manger and on the cross. Fill us this night with your sacrificial love that we may serve you by loving our neighbors. We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord. Amen.
We thank you, O God of all creation, that in the fullness of time, you sent your Son to us in the form of a helpless Child to bring life and immortality to light. Help us to receive him into our hearts with gratitude, joy, and humility. And as you him, so send your Spirit now to settle on these gifts of bread and wine. Open our hearts to recognize in them the very presence of the One we saw in the manger and on the cross. Fill us this night with your sacrificial love that we may serve you by loving our neighbors. We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord. Amen.
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
Let us pray.
We thank you, O God, for the hope, peace, joy, and love and love of the Advent season. Now tonight, as we celebrate the birth of the One for whom we have waited, may the light of Christ, who embodies all these gifts, fill our lives and our world. We pray this in his Name.
Amen.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
Let us pray.
We thank you, O God, for the hope, peace, joy, and love and love of the Advent season. Now tonight, as we celebrate the birth of the One for whom we have waited, may the light of Christ, who embodies all these gifts, fill our lives and our world. We pray this in his Name.
Amen.
BENEDICTION
Christ is born in Bethlehem! Alleluia!
The Light of the world is now among us!
Go forth to share the light with those who yet dwell in the darkness.
And may the Light of + God, the Illuminating Word, and the warmth of the Spirit be with you this Christmas and for all time to come. Amen.
