Christmas Eve

O Holy Night - Christmas Eve Service

Date:December 24, 2023
Author: Wayne J. Edwards

Introduction:

Download the following translated Sermon guides:

Prelude

Call to Worship

(Pastor) Good News: A Great Light has burst forth, overcoming the darkness of evil. A Child has been born for us! A Son has been given to us. We shall call Him Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, our Everlasting Father.

(All) Tonight, let us glorify and praise God our Father for sending His Son to be our Savior. Let us rejoice, for Christ has come, and we are gathered to worship Him.

Christmas Carol Sing

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.
O sing all ye bright hosts of heaven above.
Glory to God, all glory in the highest.
O come, let us adore Him! O come, let us adore Him!
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning.
Jesus, to Thee be all glory given.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.
O come, let us adore Him! O come, let us adore Him!
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

It Came upon the Midnight Clear

It came upon a midnight clear,
that glorious song of old.
From angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold.
Peace on the earth, good will to men
from heaven’s all gracious King.
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angel’s sing.

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.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angel’s sing.

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
its ancient splendors fling.
And the whole world send back the song,
which now the angel’s sing.

Responsive Reading:

(Pastor) Blessed Lord, You have given us Your greatest gift – Your very Word has come to earth to live with us and through us.

(All) You have filled us with Your grace and truth! You have set us free from our bondage to sin.

(Pastor) You have appeared in the flesh, bringing redemption to all. Your glory is made known in this newborn child.

(All) Yet, we still choose to live in the dark places of our own making. Too often we wall ourselves in and shut the world out. We hold ourselves captive to our own fears and failings.

(Pastor) Free us from this death, Lord. Restore Your light to our eyes, that we may behold anew Your love in our lives; that we may face the trials of life through Your grace and for Your glory.

(All) Hear our prayer O Lord! We wait in eager anticipation for the glory of Your salvation this night. Amen.

Away in a Manger

Away in a manger no crib for His bed.
The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky look down where He lay.
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby awakes.
But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until 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 fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

What Child is This?

What child is this who’s laid to rest
on Mary’s lap is Sleeping,
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
while shepherd’s 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.

Why lies He in such mean estate
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading.
This this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste! Haste! To bring him, laud!
The babe, the son of Mary.

So, bring Him incense, gold and myrrh;
come peasant, king to own Him.
The kings of king’s salvation brings:
let loving hearts enthrone Him.
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angel’s sing.
Haste! Haste! To bring Him laud.
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
when Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
for Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
there is room in my heart for Thee.

Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
proclaiming Thy royal degree.
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
and in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
there is room in my heart for Thee.

The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
in the shade of the forest tree.
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
in the deserts of Galilee.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
there is room in my heart for Thee.

Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
that set Thy people free.
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn
they bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
there is room in my heart for Thee.

When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,
at Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
there is room at My side for thee.”
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.

The Lighting of the Christ’s Candle

“O Holy Night” – Instrumental

The Observance of the Lord’s Supper

The Word Proclaimed – Wayne J. Edwards, Pastor

Emmanuel: God with us
Matthew 1:22-23

“All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, saying: Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.”