P a g e | 1

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

24 and 25 December 2014

The Mission and Discipleship Council would like to thank Rev Margaret Whyte, retired Minister

formerly of Glasgow: Pollockshaws and Locum at Bourock Church, Barrhead, for her thoughts on

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Contents

Isaiah 9: 2-7 (Proper 1) ........................................................................................................................... 3

Isaiah 62: 6-12 (Proper 2) ....................................................................................................................... 3

Isaiah 52: 7-10 (Proper 3) ...................................................................................................................... 4

Psalms 96, 97 & 98 (Proper 1, 2 & 3) .................................................................................................... 4

Titus 2: 11-14 (Proper 1) .......................................................................................................................... 4

Titus 3: 4-7 (Proper 2) ............................................................................................................................ 5

Hebrews 1: 1-4, (5-12) (Proper 3) ............................................................................................................ 5

Luke 2: 1-20 (May be divided between Proper 1 and Proper 2) ........................................................... 5

John 1: 1-14 (Proper 3) ........................................................................................................................... 6

Christmas Eve ........................................................................................................................................ 6

Sermon ................................................................................................................................................. 10

Other Christmas Resources ................................................................................................................. 14

P a g e | 2 After Midnight .....................................................................................................................................20

Christmas Eve Communion Service .................................................................................................... 21

Christmas Day ...................................................................................................................................... 24

Christmas Day Children’s Address ......................................................................................................29

Short Address ..................................................................................................................................... 30

Isaiah 9.................................................................................................................................................. 31

Additional Resources ........................................................................................................................... 35

Helping people prepare for reading the Bible in worship can make a

real difference. Overcoming nerves, reading in ways suitable to the

text, speaking clearly etc.

You may wish to email these three links to the people reading Scripture on Sunday to support them

in their involvement in worship: Managing your nerves; Creative readings; Worship at the Lectern

There are three sets of readings from which to choose:

Isaiah 9: 2-7 (Proper 1)

Isaiah 62: 6-12 (Proper 2)

Isaiah 52: 7-10 (Proper 3)

Psalms 96, 97 & 98 (Proper 1, 2 & 3)

Titus 2: 11-14 (Proper 1)

Titus 3: 4-7 (Proper 2)

Hebrews 1: 1-4, (5-12) (Proper 3)

Luke 2: 1-20 (May be divided between Proper 1 and Proper 2)

John 1: 1-14 (Proper 3)

P a g e | 3 Isaiah 9: 2-7 (Proper 1)

From earliest days of the Christian Church this messianic prophecy, has been used to relate to

Jesus, when Matthew quoted in the context of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. “The people who

walked in Darkness have seen a great light.” How our hearts are thrilled when we hear these oh

so familiar words, knowing our own darkness illuminated by Jesus.

However, does it refer to Jesus or to an idealistic image of a great and godly king, perhaps Ahaz

or Hezekiah, iterated as part of a coronation ceremony?

And the prophecy may not have been written by Isaiah in the 8th century BCE but written after

586 when the people were living in exile in Babylon. The writer looks to a better future of new

beginnings; perhaps not in a recently born child as all kings were regarded as sons of Yahweh.

It does bring to mind many of the same images from the Psalms, exultant rejoicing, the death of

one’s enemies, peace and justice brought by a great ruler.

Of course the Church claimed this prophecy refers to Jesus especially when Matthew quotes it,

even though Jesus was not quite what the prophecy expected - Jesus wasn’t into smiting his

enemies but was a prince of peace. However in the birth of our Lord we do celebrate new

beginnings, a new kingly, Godly reign, with the same hopes for peace and justice.

Isaiah 62: 6-12 (Proper 2)

It does seem that only in the final two verses of this passage is there any relationship with the

Christmas story of our Lord’s Nativity. Yet the message is clearly messianic in its proclamation of

a new age and a new covenant between Yahweh and his people, which we preach has come in

Christ.

Though part of Third Isaiah (56-66) commentators say it depends largely on the works of the

unknown poet of the Babylonian exile known as Second or Deutero-Isaiah (Isa. 40-55).

For we who have plenty to eat and drink especially the over indulgence at Christmas time, this

passage is hard reading. When we think of the difficulties of Traders in the Developing world

destroying their fields to make prawn beds, so that their children go hungry while we gorge

ourselves on prawn cocktails; while banana producers get less than a penny per banana, here is

the solemn oath made by Yahweh that the hungry will eat and drink.

P a g e | 4 Isaiah 52: 7-10 (Proper 3)

“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news” celebrates the

coming of God to comfort and restore his chosen ones, yet God’s sovereignty and rule bringing

peace and justice is not for Israel alone, but heralds that Israel will bring the news of salvation to

all the world. One does approach the city even today across mountain roads, twisting and

turning through the barren landscape with the glorious city at last appearing over the last

mountain top.

This of course recalls a story of David’s life in 2 Samuel 18: 25 -27. When the watchmen on the

city watchtowers see the messenger come running over the mountain paths bringing good news

of victory in battle, they shout with delight. In verse 9 the city dwellers break into song as the

good news spreads through them.

“We are redeemed, redeemed” Hope, joy, redemption and victory are in the gift of God.

At Christmas we celebrate that God has come among us in Jesus to bring Good News,

redemption, joy, peace and hope, the gifts of God alone.

Psalms 96, 97 & 98 (Proper 1, 2 & 3)

Commentators agree that these three psalms come from a collection of Psalms of celebration to

bring in a new year. The joyfully praising and dancing worshippers led by their priests wound

their way up the hill to the temple, proclaiming Yahweh as Israel’s God and king.

Israel as a people struggled with pantheonism, but here Yahweh is proclaimed as superior to all

these gods and creator and righteous judge of all the world. Yet Israel alone of all religious

traditions held to the one God, sovereign over all.

Titus 2: 11-14 (Proper 1)

The “Pastoral Letter” of Titus along with 1st and 2nd Timothy may not have been written by

Paul, though Paul’s favourite themes and motifs are present. The letters are written to post-

Pauline congregations and the cooling of the ardour of expectation of Christ’s imminent return is

clear. The writer encourages morality, good living while they wait in hope for the Day of Christ to

arrive.

P a g e | 5 Titus 3: 4-7 (Proper 2)

The writer reiterates the important and vital Pauline theme, that we are saved, not by anything

we can do but by the mercy and grace of God alone. Heavy theology for Christmas Eve and

especially Christmas Day, yet the heart of the Gospel.

Hebrews 1: 1-4, (5-12) (Proper 3)

Echoing the Old Testament Prophets like Isaiah, these opening verses ring out with all the force

of proclamation. Written to an unknown Jewish congregation, who know where, the writer

emphasises that Jesus is the fulfilment of the Hebrew Scriptures.

There is a lot written about the reason for this letter, its tone and its themes; i.e. against the

Essen belief in two Messiah’s, one priestly and one of royalty of David’s line, but both

subordinate to the archangel Michael.

One thing is for sure, the letter focuses on Jesus, the Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, the

beginning and end. WE are given the whole Gospel and Cosmic act of Creation and Salvation in a

few sentences. Stirring stuff for Christmas time.

Luke 2: 1-20 (May be divided between Proper 1 and Proper 2)

Prose, poetry, metaphor or reliable historical fact, whatever one believes there is nothing so

touching, or so wonderful as the Christmas story.

Who is this child born so humble, in difficult circumstances, at the edge of the Roman Empire? It

is the stuff of epics. The imperial Census, the heavily pregnant woman, the attentive husband,

no place anywhere to give birth or lay her son except in a manger; frightened and then amazed

shepherds, seeking the truth of this revelation, choirs of angels singing praises and heralding the

good news of this heavenly birth – here in humble humanity the saviour of the world, the Son of

God is born among us.

The doctrine of the Virgin Birth, the miraculous conception and of Original sin await developing

Christology.

Let us just enjoy on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day that however it may have been, God has

come among us and God has come to stay!

P a g e | 6 John 1: 1-14 (Proper 3)

Meekness and Majesty, Divinity and Humanity. Matthew tells of the ancestry and birth of Jesus

in the opening of his Gospel and Luke begins with the Annunciation, the conception of Jesus

through the Holy Spirit. John however begins at the very beginning, at the creation of the

world, establishing the divinity of Jesus, when Jesus, the Word (Logos) of God was co-creator

with God.

But Jesus is not only divine, in every aspect of his nature he is as human as the next person. The

word was also in the world, yet the world did not recognise him, even those in his own country

had difficulties accepting him causing many a controversy about his authority and mandate and

ultimately his death. Yet adoption as the Children of God was the gift for those who did believe.

Matthew and Luke tell the story of the Nativity beautifully and simply. John goes deeper – or

higher and spiritualises the event which is of divine ordination. This child is the divine gift of God

in all his humanity and divinity. For every child born and every adult he is the hope that even in

the darkest times His light shines on and nothing will ever put it out.

Christmas Eve

Suggested Orders

Christmas Eve 1

Introit

Welcome

Hymn: CH4 304: O little town of Bethlehem…

Prayer

Scripture: Luke 2: 1-7, 8-14, 15 – 20 page 75

Hymn: CH4 301: Hark the Herald angels sing…

Sermon

Choir (Sing up to midnight or end Sermon on the dot of midnight or sing Still the night or use

extra prayers)

Hymn: CH 309: Still the night…

P a g e | 7 Offering and Prayer

Hymn: CH4 306: O come all ye faithful…

Benediction and 3 Fold Amen.

Christmas Eve 2

Hymn: CH4 315: Once in Royal David’s city

Prayer

Reading

Hymn: CH4 309: Still the night

Sermon

Hymn: CH4 320: Joy to the world, the Lord is come

Offering and prayer

Hymn: CH4 306: O come all ye faithful

Benediction

Christmas Eve 3

Introit

Welcome

Hymn: CH4 324: Angels from the Realms of glory…

Prayer

Scripture: Isaiah 9: 2-7 page 677

Scripture: Luke 2: 1-7, 8-14, 15 – 20 page 75

Hymn: CH4 301: Hark the Herald angels sing…

Sermon

Choir

Hymn: CH4 309: Still the night…

P a g e | 8 Offering and Prayer

Hymn: CH4 306: O come all ye faithful…

Benediction and 3 Fold Amen.

Opening call to worship

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you all.

Let it be our joy this Christmas Eve to celebrate the coming of our Saviour Jesus. And as we wait

with great expectations of tomorrow, let us travel in heart and mind to Bethlehem, where Mary

waited through the dark night to give birth to a son.

Look said the prophet:

"A virgin shall conceive and bear a son".

You shall call him Emmanuel which means "God is with us".

He will be born of the line of David and of his kingdom there will be no end.

You shall call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

In him all the promises made from the beginning of time to the end shall come true. By

him the fullness of God's love shall shine upon the whole world.

Opening Prayer

Most loving God, whose gracious gift was given

To lowly folk on Bethlehem’s hills that night,

Grant to us, like them, to see the dark clouds riven,

And earth resplendent with a heavenly light –

To know the wonder of that Holy Birth,

The coming of the love of God to earth.

P a g e | 9 Prayer

Alan Gaunt: Prayers for Worship

Lord Jesus born in Bethlehem, in a world that has forgotten how to rejoice, give us joy;

In a world that is looking for explanations, give us a sign. In a world of fear and failure, give us

peace. For we and all the world need a Saviour.

Lord Jesus, born in Bethlehem, open the eyes of our minds to the mysteries of our lives;

And with open eyes may we behold you. And beholding you may we believe in you.

And in believing in you may we become like you, and becoming like you may we join you in glory.

And so may we rejoice in you, not just this Christmas but always

Prayers of Intercession

(adapted forgotten source)

Lord God, When time seems to elude us, we chase time, we lose time, we have no time; help us

to make time this Christmas to wonder at your coming, to reflect on the timeless meaning of

your taking the form of a baby, living our life, identifying with us and what this means for each of

us personally, not just tonight, but tomorrow and always.

Lord God, We long for peace in a world that is torn by rivalry, conflict hatred and disasters…

Give us that peace, promised at your birth and never shattered, even in the deepest, darkest

times. We remember this night those for whom the word “Peace” is a mockery; help us to be

true peacemakers through the One who is the Prince of Peace.

Lord God, We thank you for the strength of the family unit in the Christmas story; the

commitment of Joseph to Mary and the baby despite the unusual circumstances; the obedience

of Mary in her desire to serve you and her joy in her child. May we never be deluded by simplicity

or side-tracked by sentimentality, but help us to build our lives on those principle which you

enshrined in that encounter with humanity, love, joy, peace, commitment.

Lord God, There are many for whom the joy of Christmas is distorted because of loneliness,

sickness, poverty or grief, help us to share the wonder of your love not only now because it is

Christmas but always in sensitive and compassionate ways.

P a g e | 10 Lord God, We are never ready for the unexpected ways you come into our lives and confess our

reluctance to see things from your perspective. As the shepherds heard that unexpected chorus

of praise and responded with delight, may we too look for the unexpected with praise and

adoration, giving worship, service and love to Christ the Lord.

Amen.

Sending out

May the Lord who lifts the lowly from the dust fill you with wonder this night. May you return to

your homes glorifying God and praising him. May all who meet you this Christmas Day be

amazed at what Christ has done in you and through you.

And may the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you all, this night and

always.

Sending out

May you have the spirit of Christmas, which is Peace.

The gladness of Christmas which is hope

The heart of Christmas which is love. And the blessing of God Almighty….

Sending out

May the song of the Angels,

The joy of the Shepherds

And the peace of the Christ Child be in your hearts

this Christmas Eve and always.

Sermon

(though preached in 2012 this is included as an example)

For my Christmas Eve sermon which apart from Good Friday, I think is the most important

sermon of the whole year, I usually take inspiration from things I see happening around me. It

could be a news story, it could be an advert. For example 2 years ago I got all hot and bothered

about how shops seemed to be hijacking Christmas and manipulating our Good News to

advertise and sell their wares, like Thorntons whose slogan was – Believe.

P a g e | 11 But this year I couldn’t find inspiration anywhere. I usually start very early and there was nothing

that grabbed me, until a couple of weeks ago.

It started with my Grandson Ben. For the past two years while he was at nursery, I had been

trying to tell him the true meaning of Christmas, but every time he insisted that Christmas

couldn’t be about a baby, it was about Santa Claus.

Well this year now he is at school, he came running in, Gran I’ve got good news for you,

Christmas is about the baby Jesus. I’m in his story at school. Thank goodness for teachers!

And I’d been seeing a particular TV advert for weeks and it took someone else to point out to me

that it was a serious case of hijacking. It’s beginning to look a lot like …Aldi’s. What clever

advertising, but how dare they misappropriate our message of Christmas.

And then there were two news stories.

They started taking down the decorations in Newtown Connecticut on the day after the deaths

of 20 little ones aged 6 and 7 and their 6 teachers. They are cuddling their surviving children very

close tonight and have every night since the atrocity. Who can blame them, erasing Christmas

from their lives, how could they celebrate Christmas, without their little ones, how can they even

get through each day. I can hardly bear it myself; never mind what it must be like to be one of

the parents.

In my first charge in Symington in Ayrshire I remember visiting an elderly man and just to make

conversation I asked him how he would be celebrating Christmas that year in just a few days’

time. Oh we don’t celebrate Christmas in this house. And as he said that I realised there were no

decorations or Christmas Tree, no visible signs of Christmas in that house.

It will be a day like any other day, for you see my little Son died on Christmas Day. His son was in

hospital with peritonitis and that poor man couldn’t visit him because there was no transport to

the hospital and so he went to telephone from a call box in the street to ask how his son was on

Christmas day, to learn that his little son had died. That would have been perhaps 40 years

earlier but that family had never celebrated Christmas since.

Yet Christmas has a great deal to say to people who grieve.

P a g e | 12 The other news story was that the Mayan Civilisation 2,000 years ago prophesied that the world

would come to an end at 11 minutes past 11 on the 21st of December 2012. Many People

throughout the world believed it and had been preparing for that day. But it has come and gone

and we are still here.

One woman interviewed, said that a new planet was coming into collision with the earth, which

would cause earthquakes and tsunami. I know you must be fed up hearing about this, I know I

was. But she said something very interesting, “that even if the world didn’t come to an end,

something momentous was going to happen and the earth would never be the same again.”

And I said to myself Yes Baby you are not far from the truth, but something momentous has

already happened, Christ has come and the earth will never be the same again.

What does Christmas say to those families in Newtown Connecticut, to the families of the 6 aid

workers killed by the Taliban in Pakistan just because they were immunising the children against

Polio. To Families of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. What does it say to the family of

Lynn aged 52 who died of Cancer on Christmas day last year?

There is the story of a man who was very anti religion and who gave his wife, a Christian a hard

time. He ridiculed her, as she got ready for church every Sunday; he took every opportunity to

condemn her faith and her God. At Christmas time it was particularly hard for the wife. What

kind of God is it who came to earth as a baby? What a ridiculous story. Even if there is a God

what would he do with us? Look at all the evil and suffering in the world, and your God just

ignores it. A God who walked about as a man, a God/child in a manger. What rubbish.

As his wife went off to the watch night service on Christmas Eve, snow began to fall heavily.

Then he heard a hard battering against the outside door. When he opened it he discovered that

birds, disoriented by the storm, were beating themselves against the wall of the house, stunning

themselves and then fluttering up again only to beat again against the wall of the house.

The man knew that the birds would soon die if they kept this up much longer, but all efforts to

save the birds failed. He tried to shoo them into this barn, but frightened and stunned they

evaded capture and all attempts to direct them into the barn. He tried and tried to save the

birds, but every attempt failed.

P a g e | 13 If only I was a bird he thought I could show them the way to safety, I could save them for if I

were a bird and in among them, then they would trust me, If only I were a bird.

And in that moment, for that is how God touches us, in that moment he understood it all. He

knew, he believed, he understood the meaning of the Incarnation, the purpose of Jesus. He is

Emmanuel, God among us as a human being, God here to lead us to him and to save us from

ourselves, praise be to God and his heart nearly burst with joy at this discovery.

Christianity is not some empty doctrine about a remote God, Christianity says that God acts, and

sometimes acts decisively in history as he did in Jesus, Jesus came as God’s definitive self-

portrait framed in a human life.

When we look up at the stars we see the extent of the might and power and majesty of God the

creator, and our hearts are moved by awe and fear of God. But when we look down into the

manger, when we see the tender helpless, loving child we see the extent of God’s love and care

for us. That he risked all he had, that he left his glory by, and came down to earth to be among

us.

It means that there in the manger, there teaching on the hillsides of Judea there healing the

physically and spiritually sick, there on the cross at Calvary is a real man, that he understands all

our needs, our wants, our desires, our dreams and all our sorrows and because he is God

incarnate, he can save us.

So the season of Christmas gives us an opportunity as at no other time to think about our God,

when we hear this wondrous thing – we are important to God, we matter to God and the proof

is, God sent Jesus into the world.

I was struggling to find a big finish to my sermon and found this poem sitting on my desk written

by a friend.

Light has come into the darkness

The world stumbles on in despair,

Rejecting the child in the manger

Denying his love and his care.

God still calls us all to the manger,

P a g e | 14 To view once again where he lay

To reflect on the love that surrounded

The infant child in the hay.

The essence of Christmas is simply

That God sent his Son to the earth

That the light of his love should surround us

As was shown by his Son at his birth.

When love shines out in the darkness

Dispelling the gloom and despair

We go forth in the hope and the knowledge

that Jesus the saviour is there.

Other Christmas Resources

Christmas Poem

(given to me by Rev Martin Johnston)

Mary

Your eyes are open now.

Those eyes which will open

the eyes of others.

You study my face

And, just for the moment,

Though you came for the world,

You are mine and mine alone.

I made you and you made me

And we gaze at tech other

In equal wonderment.

Your eyes are open now, and so dark-bright –

Sent from a night

Full of light and stars –

P a g e | 15 That I could watch you for ever,

Watch your chest rise and fall

As you breathe the cattle-soaked air.

I would like this moment to last for ever,

Your are so wonderful to me,

So truly wonderful as you are.

But not my will, Lord,

But yours be done.

I must hand you over

For the world cries out for you,

Though I cry out to let you go.

Just for tonight

Let the future

Leave us in peace.

Close you eyes, baby.

Close your bright eyes

On the dusty darkness of the world.

There is majesty in you

But for now let it hide,

Let it hide like a gem

While you sleep.

Joseph

Here I stand,

Holding the tiny, warm weight

Of God in my hands.

Such a tiny weight

To lift the huge weight

Of the world.

Here I stand,

P a g e | 16 The proud father? – not me.

I have been utterly humbled

By your arrival.

You are not my offspring,

Not part of me,

And yet, at the same time,

Already inextricably part of my life.

I was your hasty midwife,

Who delivered you with

unskilled trembling hands.

Who pulled you from your haven

Into this place which is more accustomed

To witnessing

The first uncertain breaths of

Calves and lambs

Than the first uncertain breaths of a Messiah.

Here I stand with

Your weight both small and immense

Resting on me.

So maybe I am proud,

proud of the privilege,

Proud of being your father

Just for the present.

And I pray, little Lord,

That just as I delivered you,

You will in return one day

Deliver me.

Lisa Debney

P a g e | 17 Approaching Christmas

(sent to me from the Internet)

Why Lord, why?

Why did you exchange the

Spaciousness of heaven

And the warmth of your Father’s presence

For the squalor of a manager on earth

And the limitations of life as a man?

Why did you who make the heavens,

The mountains, the stars, the sun,

Strip yourself of your glory

To become a helpless, homeless baby?

Why did you come here?

To this spot,

To Bethlehem?

I came, my child, because I love you

I have always love you

I will always love you

I came to rescue you from the clutches of wrong

To deliver you from sin

To be your Saviour To bring you into the spaciousness I enjoy,

And I came as the prophets foretold

To Bethlehem

To a woman’s womb

To indwell you as I indwell in her

To become Emmanuel

God with you and God in you.

P a g e | 18 A Beautiful story I have used on Christmas Eve, supposed to be a true one sent to me one year

via the Internet.

The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in

suburban Brooklyn, arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw

their church, it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have everything

done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve.

They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc, and on December 18 were

ahead of schedule and just about finished. On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving

rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days. On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church.

His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20

feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about

head high.

The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the

Christmas Eve service, headed home. On the way he noticed that a local business was having a

flea market type sale for charity so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade,

ivory coloured, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colours and a Cross, embroidered

right in the centre. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it

and headed back to the church.

By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was

trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the

next bus 45 minutes later.

She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc, to put

up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and

it covered up the entire problem area.

Then he noticed the woman walking down the centre aisle. Her face was like a sheet. 'Pastor,'

she asked, 'where did you get that tablecloth?' The pastor explained. The woman asked him to

check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there. They were.

These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in

Austria.

P a g e | 19 The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just gotten the tablecloth. The

woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria.

When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next

week. He was captured, sent to prison and never saw her husband or her home again.

The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church.

The pastor insisted on driving her home; that was the least he could do. She lived on the other

side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.

What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and

the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the

door and many said that they would return.

One older man, whom the pastor recognised from the neighbourhood continued to sit in one of

the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving.

The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one

that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there

be two tablecloths so much alike.

He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was

supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his

home again all the 35 years in between.

The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten

Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier.

He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the

door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.

To fill in on lead up to midnight if needed

Imagine you are there in Bethlehem. It is night, in Judea, over 2000 years ago. Apart from the

stars and the glow from the fire, there is no light and you can see nothing. The only sound is the

sheep, grazing placidly. There might be no one else left alive in all the world. What are you

P a g e | 20 thinking in the darkness. What are your dreams, your longings, your hopes. And how do you

feel when this unbearable light of the angels bursts upon you.

Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can no longer claim to be nothing special. From this

moment on you are amazing, extraordinary: Christ the Saviour has been born for you.

God has come among us, born on earth. It is impossible to explain but the sign and sights and

sounds are there for all to see. It has happened. It did happen. Christ has come. It is irreversible.

And it is for you.

Let us be thankful this Christmas Eve, that God has given us this gift of Jesus, who comes to

change our lives, to change the course of the history of the world, for in his birth God came

among us, God is now here and God came to stay.

Extra Prayers

for filling in if needed

No ear may hear him coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the

dear Christ enters in. O come to us abide with us. Our Lord Immanuel.

Let us pray

Come into our hearts Lord Jesus, our hearts are ready for thee,

Come into our homes that in them there may be joy and peace.

Come into our churches that they may be filled with light and love and life.

Come O Christ into every avenue and area of human life that all of life may be redeemed. O come

Saviour of the world come to bind the peoples of the world in the bonds of peace and good will.

Amen

After Midnight

There is always a lovely spirit abroad at Christmas time. I hope you feel it, I hope the love that

came down among us will touch your hearts. Love can only come when we have made room for

it in our noisy, busy crowded lived. Let us open our hearts and lives then to the spirit of

P a g e | 21 Christmas, the holy spirit and pray that it may bring to us all a sense of good will and peace I wish

you and yours a very happy beautiful and blessed Christmas.

Christmas Eve Communion Service

Order for Communion

Opening and reflection

Hymn: CH4 314: Child in the manger

Prayer

Scripture: Matthew 1: 18 – 25 page 4

Creed

Hymn: CH4 309: Still the night

Communion

Benediction

Reflection

On this night of nights the Promised One appears, full of grace and truth.

For those who trust the power of God, a new way of living is made possible.

Isaiah foretells it. Luke tells what happened.

We are offered an opportunity to join the celebration.

to join ourselves to the zeal of the Lord of hosts

to go with the shepherds to the place where Love is born

to join the heralds of redemption in praise of God for this holy birth.

On Christmas Eve we are offered a sacred treasure.

Let us come to the Light of lights.

Let us be upheld in hope, peace, joy, and love.

Let us bow before the manger.

Let us prepare to become good news in a weary world.

May Christ be born in us this night, and forever.

P a g e | 22 Lord Jesus born in Bethlehem,

In a world that has forgotten how to rejoice, Give us joy;

In a world that is looking for explanations, give us a sign.

In a world of fear and failure, give us peace.

For we and all the world need a Saviour.

Lord Jesus, born in Bethlehem,

Open the eyes of our minds to the mysteries of our lives;

And with open eyes may we behold you.

And beholding you may we believe in you.

And in believing in you may we become like you,

And becoming like you may we join you in glory.

And so may we rejoice in you,

Not just in this Christmas but always

Creed

(Kir Shalom adapted)

WE BELIEVE in Jesus Christ and his gospel, born to us so long ago in Bethlehem.

WE BELIEVE in HIM whose birth glorified Bethlehem, but for whom there was no room in the

Inn.

WE BELIEVE in HIM whose guiding Star brought together to his Manger the humble Shepherds

and the Wise Men.

WE BELIEVE in HIM who walked among the common people, and who was welcomed by those

with open minds and yearning hearts, whom the poor, the oppressed, the discouraged, the sick

and afflicted, welcomed and accepted as their Lord and Saviour.

WE BELIEVE in HIM whose life changed the course of history, over whom kings had no power,

whose life humbled the proud, toppled the mighty, and elevated those of low degree.

WE BELIEVE in HIM whose love changed human hearts for the better, and whose life and death

on the Cross proved that it is more important to serve than to be served, and that the greatest

are those who give their lives for others.

P a g e | 23 WE BELIEVE in HIM who is the Prince of Peace, whose spirit makes for justice and peace among

all peoples, everywhere.

WE BELIEVE that the Christmas spirit— the spirit of Christ—is the spirit that can change the

world for the better through the power of love, faith and hope.

Invitation

A prophet once spoke and challenged us to travel and journey on the pathways of God.

A pathway to peace where are called to live in a new way.

A pathway to wholeness where all is complete and all are welcome.

A pathway to Christ where God entered the world to walk with us.

So come all of you, you are all welcomed by Christ to join in this feast, as we walk the road and

be nourished by God.

Institution

We think again on this special night about the story of Jesus a story told for centuries; told by

countless people, heard by countless people and lived out by countless people.

And so Jesus came, born into a stable, born into obscurity, born of God.

He lived out God’s love and we seek to do likewise.

He sat at a meal with his friends and here we do likewise.

He shared bread and wine; ordinary things made holy and here we do likewise.

He prayed and God blessed and here we do likewise…

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lord God, we gather as a family united around this table to give you thanks on this night for

Jesus, that through his story we can know more of you, feel more of you, experience more of

you. Help us to live the story of Jesus day by day.

Lord God, as we gather, united in your love, challenged by your prophets, of ages past, bless the

gifts of bread and wine, which remind us of your love.

P a g e | 24 Send your Spirit to bless them so that we can remember Jesus and all that he challenges us to

be. Send your spirit upon these elements and upon us and grant that we be infused with the

peace and joy and love of the Christ Child on this holy night. And pray…..

Amen.

Communion

These are God’s gifts to us, take, eat this bread Christ’s body broken for you; take drink this

wine, the blood of Christ shed for all of you; Eat, drink remembering Christ our Saviour.

The Peace

Closing

May all the peace and joy and love of this special time be yours this Christmas. And the blessings

of the Christ child be with you all.

Christmas Day

Suggested Orders

Christmas Day 1

Hymn: CH4 306: O come all ye faithful

short Comment

Children’s Toys

Hymn: CH4 310: See him lying on a bed of straw

Scripture: Luke 2: 1- 7 page 75

Hymn: CH4 321: Come and join the celebration

Christmas Pudding with explanation

or Children’s Talk

Offering and prayers

Hymn: CH4 320: Joy to the world, the Lord is come

Benediction

P a g e | 25 Christmas Day 2

Hymn: CH4 306: O come all ye faithful

Prayer

Scripture: Luke 2: 1- 20 (page 75)

Hymn: CH4 315: Once in Royal David’s city

Children’s Toys

Hymn: CH4 321: Come and join the celebration

Short Address

Prayers

Hymn: CH4 320: Joy to the world, the Lord is come

Benediction

Christmas Day 3

Hymn: CH4 301: Hark the Herald angels sing

Toys

Hymn: CH4 300: The Virgin Mary had a baby Boy

Address

Hymn: CH4 321: Come and join the celebration

Reading

Offering and Prayers

Hymn: CH4 306: O come all ye faithful.

Benediction

Call to Worship

Welcome to this joyful service. I wish you a very happy and blessed Christmas. This Christmas

Day let us join with millions round the world singing praise to the Lord Jesus, the saviour of our

P a g e | 26 world. And let our voices add to the music of the countless billions of the heavenly host, for we

are joining our song with the song the angels sing.

Opening prayer for two readers

Reader 1: Heavenly King, yet born of Mary. Jesus Son of God…

Reader 2: …we praise and adore you.

Reader 1: Eternal Word, yet child without speech. Jesus, Son of God…

Reader 2: …we praise and adore you.

Reader 1: Robed in glory, yet wrapped in infant clothes. Jesus, Son of God…

Reader 2: …we praise and adore you.

Reader 1: Lord of heaven and earth, yet sleeping in a manger. Jesus, Son of God…

Reader 2: …we praise and adore you.

Reader 1: Thank you, Jesus, for coming to earth that first Christmas Day.

Reader 2: Thank you for coming to be born in a stable; though a humble place, it showed

us by contrast your greatness and majesty.

Reader 1: Thank you for your life on earth and all you have taught us by word and

example.

Reader 2: Thank you for dying on a cross … and for rising again to new life for us.

Together: Thank you for being here with us today.

Reader 1: Thank you for all the presents we have received today. Thank you for families

and for fun.

Reader 2: We pray for people who have no presents this Christmas, for the poor and the

lonely.

Reader 1: We pray for people who live in places where there is war and fighting. We pray

for people who have no home.

P a g e | 27 Reader 2: And we pray for those who don’t know you and don’t understand the real

meaning of Christmas. May the light of Jesus shine in all our lives.

Reader 1: Father God, help us to be more like Jesus and share your good gifts with others.

Reader 2: Help us to tell others the good news about you and how you came to save us.

Reader 1: Help us live our lives in obedience to you.

Reader 2: Help us to praise God together, to worship Christ the Saviour.

Together: May Christ be born in our hearts this day.

Reader 1: Let us pray together the Lord’s Prayer. Our Father…

Let us pray.

Thank you God, for Christmas and all the joy it means to us;

Thank you for presents and all the good things we will get;

Thank you for food and all the wonderful things we will eat;

Thank you for parties and all the fun we will have;

But thank you most of all

for Jesus who was born in a stable in Bethlehem,

so long ago,

but who is still God’s great gift to us, the best gift of all.

We pray for everybody who might be sad at this time, or lonely or ill.

We pray for the boys and girls who might not get a present this year.

Who will have a miserable time, while we are happy.

We thank you for all the people who will giving up their Christmas to help sad children, and the

homeless, and lonely older people have a better time this Christmas time.

Father God thank you for Christmas, thank you for Jesus.

Prayers

Lord Jesus, we greet your coming with wonder. We do not know how it can be that the Almighty

God could be born as a tiny human baby, but we marvel to know that it is true.

P a g e | 28 Lord Jesus, we greet your coming with repentance. We now that it is the things we have done

wrong that drew you into our world, and so with thanks and sorrow, we ask for your

forgiveness.

Lord Jesus, we greet your coming with joy. We ask that this Christmas may be a time of peace

and kindness in our homes and we pray for help and hope for those who will not find much

happiness in the coming days. Welcome to our homes and hearts this Christmas time. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Lord Jesus Christ may the good things of Christmas stay with us, every day of the coming week,

every week of the coming year, and every year of our lives until we meet you face to face in

heaven.

Christ the light of the world, on all who greet this day with sadness or loneliness, may your light

shine.

On all who greet this day with no home to call their own, may your light shine;

- on all who greet this day in fear of violence, may your light shine;

- on all who greet this day not recognising God at work in the world, may your light shine;

and so may all people near and far have their darkness banished as Jesus is made known.

Amen.

Sending Out

May you return to your homes glorifying God and praising him.

May all who meet you this Christmas day be amazed at what Christ has done.

May the Lord who lifts the lowly from the dust fill you with wonder this day and for ever more

Amen.

May the song of the Angels,

The joy of the Shepherds

And the peace of the Christ Child be in your hearts this Christmas day and always.

P a g e | 29 Christmas Day Children’s Address

(Rev Stuart Birse retired from Newton on Ayr Church told this at a Primary School Christmas

Assembly. I have used and adapted it very often)

Props – 3 parcels to unwrap. Very small knitted hat, book, sweets

Boys and girls, What do you like about Christmas?

Presents Aah I thought we get round to them very quickly.

These are presents I got this morning. These are not the ones from Santa of course, but from

friends and family.

And I have brought three of them along and I can’t wait to open them.

Look at them. Three parcels, all for me.

Do you think I should open them or wait until after my Christmas Dinner?

I hoped you would say that I should open them.

Guess what is in them.

First one, From Aunt Alice. She is very old, but she forgets that I am much older now.

She always sends me things she has knitted because she is a great knit, she loves knitting. (A

child’s Knitted hat that is far too small) Put it on.

Too small, it’s not the right size, it doesn’t suit me or fit me, I wouldn’t be seen dead wearing

such a thing. I don’t want or need.

Second one.

From my Nephew Greg, now it could be a book, and I love books, I’m a book a holic. My Nephew

couldn’t have bought me a better present. And that’s surprising because he always buys people

presents that he would like for himself. So let’s see what it is. (Children’s Annual or Football

book) I don’t want or need it.

Third one.

A from my husband, now he knows what I like. He loves me. (Tin of sweeties) Won’t last long.

P a g e | 30 Boys and girls these presents help us to think of the gift God sent to us, the gift was small and

wrapped up in unusual wrapping paper - baby boy, but God’s gift was a gift of love, something

we needed, something we wanted, something lasting, a gift that was just right for us. LOVE And

because Christmas is all about love we want to share some of that love with others, this gift

wasn’t really for me, but for all of you a gift to share,

Short Address

Christmas is mystery, and Magical. The feelings that it arouses, the emotions are hard to define

or to pin to one source. It is the smell of a real Christmas tree, children’s faces flushed with

excitement, the family gathered around, it is that special phone call from half way round the

world, it is the clutching tiny fingers of a baby. It is the children singing Away in a manger.

It is the quiet majesty and perfection of the Christmas story, it is of angels singing praise to God,

of shepherds watching their flocks by night, of oxen lowing quietly in a stable, where a young

woman had just given birth to her first born son.

It is about worship and wonder and miracle, it is mystery, it is beauty, it is Christ. Born for us.

But we will never find its true meaning unless we look beyond the presents placed under the

tree, unless we reach out to find the secret in the heart of God.

Christmas means reaching out to Christ even as he reached down to us that first Christmas.

Of course you know that Christmas celebrates the time when Jesus was born. Why did God send

him into the world?

He came so that we could understand what God is like. It was no ordinary baby lying in that

cattle stall – it was God in human form.

He came to show us the extent of God’s love, God as a loving father, who desperately wants to

have a loving relationship with us, his children and to shower upon us all the gifts he has to give.

He came so that we would know what is right and what is wrong. If we are in any doubt what is

the right thing to do, we can ask, “What would Jesus have done?”

He came so that he would live forever in our hearts.

P a g e | 31 Christmas Pudding

(As a children’s talk on 1st Sunday in Advent I made a giant Christmas pudding and cooked it at

home. It was heated in microwaves on Christmas Day, served by an army of women with scooshy

cream - delicious)

I went over the ingredients again all of which have a spiritual meaning. (i.e. fruit = fruits of the

spirit – and Brandy. Eggs – the love of God that binds us all together).

Four Sundays ago on Stir up Sunday with the help of the children we made a Christmas pudding.

We asked God to stir us up and make us full of the fruit of his goodness. So that we would do

great and wonderful things for him.

The special meaning of a Christmas pudding for Christians, as always, it is about Jesus. The

Pudding represents Christ and all the good things he will bring with him on his Birthday. All the

good things of heaven. All the gifts of God. Peace love joy and lives full of richness.

So let us sample these good things by eating Christmas pudding and giving God thanks for all his

good gifts to us, especially his son born Today for us.

Isaiah 9

for Christmas Day or a children’s service on Christmas Eve

The Land of Shadows

(Used so often over a long time that I’ve forgotten the source)

I used different hats and props to denote the different people. I enjoyed throwing the hats

away across the chancel area when the person was dethroned, as did the various congregations

and assembled school children.

A Bible reading we often hear at Christmas time is this one.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; they lived in a land of shadows, but

now light is shining on them.

The light that shines is Jesus, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas.

Here is a story that helps us to understand it better.

P a g e | 32 In a land where many people lived, both rich and poor there was darkness. The Wise Men of the

land said that this was because there was no King. There was a palace with a throne, but no one

had sat on it for as long as anybody could remember.

People were sad and angry because the sun never shone. It was dark all the time and all sorts of

horrible things happen in the dark. So the people craved the light.

The Wise Men sent out a letter to be read at every street corner.

Hear ye, Hear ye, we must find the right person to be our ruler. When that person sits on the

throne, the darkness will lift. Anyone who thinks they may be the rightful King or Queen, or who

knows who the ruler might be, should report to the palace immediately.

Soon the would-be kings arrived. The first was a very rich man, with many servants and treasure

chests.

The rich man said, “The king must be a wealthy man. I am the richest man in all the land. So I

must be most fitted to be King. And he clanked his money bags.

He sat down on the throne, but the land stayed as dark as ever. He lived in the palace for three

days, then all the poor people from the city came to the palace and pulled the rich man off the

throne.

The next one to arrive was a very fat man.

The fat man said. The only way to enjoy life is to eat as much as you can. I am the fattest man in

the world. If I am King, everyone will be happy and the darkness will lift. And he burped rudely.

The fat man moved into the palace with his mounds of food. He sat on the throne and his

servants fed him. But it stayed dark. After three days, the hungry people in the city grew very

angry and attacked the palace, dragging the very fat man off the throne.

After this a very beautiful woman arrived. (whistle)

What you need is a Beautiful Queen, not a King at all. I am the most beautiful woman in the

world. I will drive the darkness away with my beauty.

P a g e | 33 She sat down on the throne and her servants did all they could to make her even more beautiful.

But it stayed dark. After three days, all the sick and ugly people in the city came to the palace

and drove the woman out.

The next man to arrive came with the loud sounds of a musical band.

Yes, Man, music is the most important thing in the world. It can drive away the darkness. We’ll

sing and make sweet music together, and things will start to happen.

The Music Man sat on the throne with his band gathered about him. Music filled the palace. But

it stayed just as dark as ever. This time people didn’t wait three days. They could only stand the

noise for one day. They all rushed into the palace and threw out the musicians. Then they called

the Wise Men together.

Why can’t you find the right King?

None of these have done any good.

You must do something or we’ll pull the palace down.

The wise men talked together and tried to sort things out.

As they were talking, a young child came in with his parents.

What do you want? Said one of the wise men.

I’ve come to try the throne.

But you’re only a child, what can you do?

What we need is love between all the people in the land. Just caring for ourselves isn’t any good.

If Love is King, there will be light and peace for everyone.

The boy went up to the throne and sat down. At that moment the sun shone through. The Wise

Men were amazed and all the people in the city ran towards the palace to see what had

happened.

Now what will you do? Said the wise man.

I will spend my life spreading the news of love to everyone. Then the darkness will lift, not only

from the sky but from people’s hearts, too.

P a g e | 34 We also read in the Bible – a Child is born to us a son is given to us and he will be our ruler. He

will be called wonderful, Mighty God Eternal Father the Prince of Peace.

That Child is Jesus born on that first Christmas Day. Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus the

reason for the season, the King of the world.

P a g e | 35 Additional Resources

Resourcing Mission

Resourcing Mission is host to Starters for Sunday and other key mission resources for download and purchase. Online booking is available for Mission & Discipleship events. Please check back regularly, as new items are being added all the time. If there is something you’d like to see on this new site, please contact us via the website.

Prayer Resources

These materials are designed to be a starting point for what you might look for in prayers. Revealing Love is available now from St Andrew Press.

Music Resources

The hymns mentioned in this material are ideas of specific hymns you might choose for this week’s themes. However, for some excellent articles on church music and ideas for new music resources, please check out our online music pages Different Voices.

Preaching Resources

These materials are designed to be a starting point for what you might preach this Sunday. Preachers Perspectives is a resource where we have asked twelve preachers to share the insights they

have gathered through their experiences of writing and delivering sermons regularly.

Scots Worship Resources

The Kirk's Ear - Scots i the Kirk series for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and other times of the year Wurship Ouk bi Ouk - Metrical psalms, hymns, prayers and words for worship Scots Sacraments may give you helpful material if you are celebrating Communion or have a Baptism.

The Mission and Discipleship Council would like to express its thanks to the Rev Margaret Whyte for providing us with this material.

Please note that the views expressed in these materials are those of the individual writer and not necessarily the official view of the Church of Scotland, which can be laid down only by the General Assembly.