December 24 or 25, Christmas Eve/Day

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Contents

Lectionary
With Children
Sermon Starters
Hymns
Organ
Choral

Lectionary

Isaiah 9:2-7
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light...."

Psalm 96
An exhortation for the people to praise God in worship, to acknowledge the Lord's glory by making an offering, and to proclaim the Holy One's goodness to other nations and people.

Titus 2:11-14
Because the grace of God has been revealed to us in our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we can change how we live.

Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem; Jesus is born; the shepherds hear the news. (The shepherds go to see Jesus.)

With Children

If you are not acting out the story in this service, which would be my preference, tell the children about a time you dropped what you were doing to run off to see something special, e.g. a special visitor, the northern lights. Talk about the shepherds being awed by the angels and thankful to God for the opportunity to see the baby Jesus, the promised Saviour.

Sermon Starters

No one in these readings remained unchanged by the revelation of the glory of God. Isaiah's people rejoice; their burdens are lifted; they look to the establishment of peace, justice, and righteousness. The salvation God offers draws the psalmist to call on the whole creation to praise its Lord and the people to celebrate, publicly acknowledging God's goodness. The letter to Titus says that a recognition of God's wonderful grace to us in Christ calls for upright, hopeful living, and doing good. At Jesus' birth, the angels proclaim, the shepherds travel, then praise God, and Mary ponders.

Can the incarnation leave us untouched? How are we changed by hearing the Good News that the Messiah has come among us?

Karen and Bill Butt, United Church overseas workers in Mozambique, have written letters (available through London Conference's website at execulink.com/~lonconf) that describe where the glory of God incarnate has impelled them and Christian Council of Mozambique colleagues to act with hope in a yet imperfect world.

Hymns

Keyboard

Choral

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