What Child is This

Prelude

Call to Worship

“Then the angel said to them, do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

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

Do You Hear What I Hear

Said the night wind to the little lamb.
Do you see what I see? (Do you see what I see?)
Way up in the sky, little lamb.
Do you see what I see? (Do you see what I see?)
A star, a star, dancing in the night,
with a tail as big as a kite
with a tail as big as a kite.

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy.
Do you hear what I hear? (Do you hear what I hear?)
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy.
Do you hear what I hear? (Do you hear what I hear?)
A song, a song high above the tree
with a voice as big as the sea.
with a voice as big as the sea.

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty King.
Do you know what I know? (Do you know what I know?)
In your palace warm, mighty king.
Do you know what I know? (Do you know what I know?)
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold,
let us bring him silver and gold,
let us bring him silver and gold.

Said the king to the people everywhere.
Listen to what I say! (Listen to what I say!)
Pray for peace, people, everywhere.
Listen to what I say! (Listen to what I say!)
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night,
He will bring us goodness and light,
He will bring us goodness and light.

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Infant holy, infant lowly, for His bed a cattle stall.
Oxen lowing, little knowing,
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swiftly winging angels singing,
noels ringing, tidings bringing,
Christ, the Babe is Lord of all.

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!

Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
praises voicing, greet the morrow.
Christ, the Babe was born for you!

Responsive Reading:

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.

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.

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 that lie ahead 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.

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, goodwill to men
from heaven’s all gracious King.
The world, in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.

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,

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 angels 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 sends back the song,
which now the angels sing.

Angels Voices – Allie Taylor, pianist

Responsive Reading:

In the Fullness of Time

Long before God had spoken any part of the universe into being, even before the earth existed, the eternal Godhead made plans for the redemption of lost man, and the angels listened in wonder.

All of heaven knew that one day, mankind, the crown of His creation, would rebel against their Creator, and the curse of God would condemn them to death.

But here was the wonder of the angels: God the Son had agreed to leave His throne in heaven, become one of the human creatures, and take mankind’s penalty of death upon Himself to show them the depth of God’s love.

The angels were stunned. Why would God send His only begotten Son into the world to redeem lost man from his sins?

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

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 should 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.

Away in a Manger

Away in a manger no crib for a 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 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.

The Word Proclaimed

Wayne J. Edwards, Pastor

“In the Shadow of the Cross”
Philippians 2:5-11

“He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.”

Apart from the Rapture of the Church, every person who has ever been born, or will be born, will die. But Jesus was the only man born to die. Jesus lived under the shadow of death, until the day He was nailed to the cross in payment for our sins.

But there came the day God the Father had established even before He created the heavens and the earth, when, according to God the Father’s sovereign will, and God the Son’s willing submission, evil men nailed Jesus’ emaciated body to a bloody cross, and the Son of God gave His life for our sins.

O Holy Night

Please come forward to receive the elements of the Lord’s Supper and return to your seats.