The service will proceed unannounced

The Lighting of the Advent Candles

GATHERING:
Chris: The song of blessing began at creation, with the Spirit of God moving over the waters – the song was of goodness, gladness and peace.

Alan: People rebelled, the chords became dissonant,
but God’s people sang, “Bless the Lord, O my soul…”
and some heard the prophets’ promise of hope in a child.

The song of blessing was sung by the angels,
a song of great joy of Messiah, the Saviour.
The song goes on, never silent,
ever true, the promise fulfilled.
And we continue the song, a song ever new.

CAROL: O Come All Ye Faithful
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.

Sing choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above,
“Glory to God
in the highest”:
O come, let us adore him…

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given:
Word of the Father,
now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him… C/A

WELCOME

A LITANY FOR THE RE-LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE.
On a day like this 2000 years ago a child was born in hope to change the world. Today– somewhere – a child is being born in hope
to change the world; and light shines.
Today – somewhere – someone who is ready to do harm pauses and remembers a child from long ago… and chooses hope and peace instead of violence. Today– somewhere – someone who is lonely and afraid is comforted by a stranger… and knows a moment of hope and love; and light shines.
Today– somewhere – someone who is hungry and cold receives the gift of food and clothing… and knows hope, feeling full and warm.
Today – somewhere – someone who has been a prisoner is released… and knows hope and freedom; and light shines.
Today – here and there – people choose to act with peace, with love, with generosity, with mercy… and Christ is born again in hope;
and light shines. (adapted from Seasons of the Spirit)

THE CHRIST-CANDLE IS RE-LIT

STORY-TIME WITH THE CHILDREN – Alan

CAROL: And Did You Did See Him, Little Star
And did you see Him little star,
long, long ago?
and was it you, I wonder, shone
on manger low?
And did you see the shepherd men,
when angels sang?
‘Peace on the earth, goodwill to all,’
the message rang.

And did you guide the three wise kings
with shining light?
and bring them to the holy Child
on that great night?
And will you still shine down on earth,
though from afar,
and lead us back to Bethlehem,
O little star? © The estate of Helen Clyde (CoC)

READINGS: Luke 2: 8-20 Ken Cree
Matthew 6: 19-21

REFLECTION: Alan

THE OFFERING
Gifted by your grace,
we offer you what you have given us, O God;
and pray that these gifts may be used for the sharing of love,
the doing of justice, and the giving of peace, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

CAROL: Joy to the World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
let earth receive its king;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns;
let us our songs employ;
while fields and streams, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love. C/A

THE BLESSING

CHRISTMAS GREETING: We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas x 2
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Now, bring us some figgy pudding;
Now, bring us some figgy pudding;
Now, bring us some figgy pudding
and a cup of good cheer.

We won’t go until we get some;
We won’t go until we get some;
We won’t go until we get some,
so bring it right here.
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. C/A

May you have joy this Christmas –
The joy of celebrating Christ’s birth.
May you have hope this Christmas –
The hope of a world renewed.
May you have peace this Christmas –
The peace which all people can share.
May you know love this Christmas –
The gift of Jesus Christ.
Amen.