I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never ... · Watching o'er your flocks by...

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“ I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will

never walk in darkness, but

will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Boxing Day/Tomorrow – 9.30 am Service

No Night Service

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O come, O come, Emmanuel And Ransome captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel

O come, O come, Emmanuel Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height, In ancient times did’st give the Law,

In cloud, and majesty and awe. Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel

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O come all ye faithful (Adeste fideles) Used by Permission CCLI 56448

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O come let us adore him



Christ the Lord! / 7

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Reading No 1 Matthew 1:18-24a

Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly. As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary.

For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All of this happened to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet: "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us)." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded.

Luke 2:1-7

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (this was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He travelled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him

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O little town of Bethlehem (St Louis) Used by Permission CCLI 56448

1. O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting light;

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight.

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O little town of Bethlehem (St Louis) Used by Permission CCLI 56448

4. O Holy Child of Bethlehem

Descend to us we pray;

Cast out our sin and enter in

Be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell;

O come to us abide with us

Our Lord Immanuel.

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Reading 2 Luke 2: 8-14

That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” He said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!

And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favours.”

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Angels from the realms of Glory (Iris) Used by Permission CCLI 56448

1. Angels from the realms of Glory

Wing your flight o'er all the earth;

Ye who sang creation's story

Now proclaim Messiah's birth.

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Come…………. and worship

Christ the new born king

Come………….. and worship


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2. Shepherds in the fields abiding

Watching o'er your flocks by night

God with man is now residing'

Yonder shines the infant light

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Come…………. and worship


Come………….. and worship


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When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Come on, let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.

All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.

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While shepherds watched Used by Permission CCLI 56448

1. While shepherds watched

their flocks by night

All seated on the ground

The angel of the Lord came down

And glory shone around.

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2. Fear not! said he;

for mighty dread

Had seized their troubled mind;

Glad tidings of great joy I bring

To you and all mankind.

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3. To you in David's town this day

Is born of David's line

A Saviour who is Christ the Lord;

And this shall be the sign;

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4. The heavenly babe

you there shall find

To human view displayed

All meanly wrapped

in swathing bands

And in a manger laid.

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6. All glory be to God on high

And to the earth be peace;

Goodwill henceforth from

Heaven to men

Begin and never cease!

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14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a

bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify

your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

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Light your World

Two doors down one rocking chair is rocking She sits there all alone, her husband dead and gone The best years of her life they spent together He was always strong, but now she's on her own And the telephone never rings No one laughs, no one sings It's quiet there Does anyone care?

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LIGHT YOUR WORLD Used by Permission CCLI 56448

Light your world Let the love of God shine through In the little things you do

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Light your world And though your light may be Reaching only two or three Light your world

A knocking at her door breaks the silence She looks out to see a little boy from down the street She cracks the door, surprised that he came over Flowers in his hand like a little gentleman He said, 'I picked these just for you I hope you like the colour blue Could I stay a while I love to see you smile.'

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Light your world Let the love of God shine through

In the little things you do

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It only takes a little time To show someone how much you care

It only takes a little time To answer someone's biggest prayer

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Light your world Let the love of God shine through In the little things you do

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The Christmas Story Chocolate

^

Joseph and Mary travelled to

Bethlehem along a …

They became tired on the journey and

needed a …

So Joseph decided it was time to

stop for a …

When they arrived at Bethlehem the only place to stay was a stable full of …

… where the Baby Jesus was born

That night in a field near Bethlehem

some shepherds where minding

their sheep. It was so cold that the

grass was …

As they were watching their sheep

they were …

… by some angels who told them to go to Bethlehem and see this newborn King

Meanwhile, in the east there were

three …

… or wise men who were studying

the stars of the …

… when they saw a huge star. They

first thought it might have been the

planet …

… but it wasn’t. They followed the star.

When they arrived at Bethlehem

they entered and presented their…

… of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

That night the three wise men had

a …

… in which God warned them that

King Herod was up to his old …

… so they returned home without telling him about Jesus.

You see, Christmas is more than

Santa, Reindeer and Snow …

It is more than having lots and

lots of food to …

… on

We can get into so much of a …

… trying to organise Christmas we forget what it is really about!

This Christmas we need to take

some…

… and remember that the best thing about Christmas is JESUS.

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Away in a manger Used by Permission CCLI 56448

1. Away in a manger

No crib for a bed

The little Lord Jesus

Laid down his sweet head;

The stars in the bright sky

Looked down where he lay

The little Lord Jesus

Asleep on the hay.

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2. 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.

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3. Be near me Lord Jesus;

I ask thee to stay

Close by me for ever

And love me I pray;

Bless all the dear children

In thy tender care

And fit us for Heaven

To live with thee there.

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Reading 4 Matthew 2: 1-12

Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We have seen his star as it arose, and we have come to worship him.” Herod was deeply disturbed by their question, as was all of Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law

“Where did the prophets say the Messiah would be born?” he asked them. “In Bethlehem”, they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: “O Bethlehem of Judah, you are not just a lowly Village in Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.”

Then Herod sent a private message to the wise men, asking them to come see him. At this meeting he learned the exact time when they first saw the star. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

After this interview the wise men went their way. Once again the star appeared to them, guiding them to Bethlehem.

It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy.

They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. But when it was time to leave, they went home another way, because God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

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Silent night! Used by Permission CCLI 56448

1. Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm all is bright

Round the virgin mother and child;

Holy infant tender and mild

Rests in heavenly peace

Rests in heavenly peace.

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3. Silent night! Holy night!

Wondrous star lend thy light.

With the angels let us sing

Hallelujahs to our King

Jesus Christ is here

Jesus Christ is here.

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John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy: “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited his people and redeemed them. He has sent us a mighty Saviour from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us.

He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant with them, the covenant he gave to our ancestor Abraham.

We have been rescued from our enemies, so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness forever. And you my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.

You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Isaiah 9: 2 The prophet Isaiah said: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light: on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”

I was a seeker for light in a dark world, I looked for truth but settled for lies. I had been blinded, I couldn't see Till a star in Bethlehem's sky opened my eyes.

I have seen the Light Used by Permission CCLI 56448

I have seen the Light shining in the darkness, Bursting through the shadows, delivering the dawn.

I have seen the Light whose holy name is Jesus, His kingdom is forever;

He reigns on Heaven's throne!


There in a manger, an innocent baby; Who could believe He was the One; I can believe it, I know it's true; He changed my life; He is the light; He is God's Son!


I have seen the Light shining in the darkness, Bursting through the shadows, delivering the dawn.

I have seen the Light whose holy name is Jesus, His kingdom is forever;

He reigns on Heaven's throne!


I have seen the light of Jesus, I have seen the light of the Lord,

I have seen the light of Jesus, I have seen the light,

I have seen the light of the Lord.


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The Identification Strategy

• The Identification

• Strategy

…but at least you

showed up.


…you came here

in person.

…that’s better than

being ignored.

…the ILLUSION

of identification


God’s divine plan in

bringing Jesus to Earth

was to demonstrate to the

whole world, once and for

all, the PUREST

outpouring of care and

concern anyone could

ever imagine


He had equal status with God but didn't

think so much of himself that he had to

cling to the advantages of that status no

matter what. Not at all. When the time

came, He set aside the privileges of

deity and took on the status of a slave,

became human! Having become human,

He stayed human. It was an incredibly

humbling process. He didn't claim

special privileges. Instead, he lived a

selfless, obedient life and then died a

selfless, obedient death—and the worst

kind of death at that—a crucifixion.


Philippians 2: 6 - 7

At Christmas, we praise

Jesus for walking this

Earth as ONE OF US


God did not settle for the

illusion of identification –

He came AS ONE OF US.


Jesus came as

the light of the world

to throw light…

On who God is…

On what God is like…

On what God can do…


Jesus came as

the light of the world

to throw light…

On our need for God…

On the way

to fullness of life…

On our purpose for living…


• The Identification

• Strategy

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The light has come Used by Permission CCLI 56448

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"May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ Child. Go in peace, to love and serve, and shine your light! Almighty God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever."

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never ... · Watching o'er your flocks by...

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