December 24 / December 25
Scripture Reading: Romans 10:11 – 15

Leader              How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings                                 news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion “Your God reigns”.
Response         “Lord Jesus, our Christ, be born in us.”

Leader              Listen!  Your sentinels lift up their voices; together they sing for joy, for in plain sight they see the                                     return of the Lord.
Response         “Lord Jesus, our Christ, be born in us.”

Leader              Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted the people and                               has redeemed Jerusalem.
Response         “Lord Jesus, our Christ, be born in us.”

Leader              All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Response         “Lord Jesus, our Christ, be born in us.”

Light all four colored candles and the white candle.

Leader:
As we light the Christmas candle, we welcome the tiny babe, born in a manager.  Hope of the world, bringer of peace, joy of our hearts, and love incarnate, we welcome you.  Let Christ be born in us today.

Prayer All:
Gracious and Mighty King, we celebrate your goodness to us as we join the triumph and joy of Christmas. As your love has been revealed in all of its fullness, we pray that love may abound in our hearts during this special day. Grant us the spirit of Christ that we may live in the fullness of his character every day. In His name we pray.

Amen.

Hymn:               “Glory To God (Ere Zij God)”

 Glory to God! Glory to God!
In the highest, in the highest, in the highest!
Peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth
To the people whom God delights in.

Glory to God in the highest,  glory to God in the highest!
Peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth,
Peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth,
To the people, to the people whom God delights in,
To the people whom God delights in, whom God delights in.

Glory to God! Glory to God!
In the highest, in the highest, in the highest!
Peace be on Earth, peace be on Earth
To the people whom God delights in.

Amen. Amen.

Words: Isaac Bikkers (1833-1903)
Music: Franz Albert Schultz (1692-1763)