Christmas Eve 2021

Call to Worship

Please prepare a candle and lighter for your home worship.

Take a moment to breathe as you remember that the Holy Spirit, the “breath of God” is leading and guiding your worship today.

Read

The season for watching and waiting is over. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. This is the light of the world, and the darkness cannot extinguish it.

Light your candle

Opening Prayer

Adapted from the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid

Please feel free to pray your own words or to use this prayer as your own

God with us,
as we wait for the dawning of Christmas Day,
as our souls long for Your presence among us,
let us remember Bethlehem
in the midst of our celebrations;
still occupied,
still a place of division and fear.

Immanuel, God With Us,
come to the hungry places,
bringing hope;
come to the dark places,
bringing justice;
come to the lonely places,
bringing love.

Come again in Bethlehem,
come in us, and through us,
and even despite us;
that all may join the angels’ song:
Glory to God in the highest heaven.
All hail, let there be joy.
Amen.

Worship Song

Sing along or listen to “May You Find a Light” by the Brilliance

Lost and weary traveler
Searching for the way to go
Stranger, heavy-hearted
Longing for someone to known

May you find a light
May you find a light
to guide you home

There are weary travelers
Searching everywhere you go
Strangers who are searching
Longing deeply to be known

Passing of the Christmas Peace

The angels brought a message of peace and joy. Who can you think of that needs God’s peace and or joy today? Text them a message of peace and/or say a prayer for them.

For Households with Younger Children

Sing “Go Tell It on the Mountain”

Watch the Bible story “Jesus is Born”

Discuss the following questions together (one of the parents can read these questions out loud):

Today is Christmas Eve/Christmas! What do you love about Christmas?

One thing that many people like about Christmas are the presents. Christmas is the time when we’re reminded that God gave us a really wonderful present — Jesus!

Jesus came to show us God’s love and so that we could know that God would help us. Jesus loves you and is always with you!

Scripture Reading and Reflection

Luke 2:1-20 and John 1:1-5

Luke 2:1-20

¹ In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴ Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. ⁵ He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

⁸ In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests!”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

John 1:1-5

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being ⁴ in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Reflect and discuss together

As you read these passages today, what stands out to you?

Jesus is the Light of the world. In a world of darkness because of the brokenness caused by sin, Jesus came to light the way to healing and wholeness. He showed us that we are people who are deeply loved. He shows us how to follow God; how we can understand that we are loved and how we can love others. How do you receive this “good news of great joy” today?

• Where have you seen the light of Christ in your life in this past year?
• Where do you need more of Christ’s life in your life?
• Where would you like to be the light of Christ?

Pray

Take some time to thank God for Jesus, our Light — and to pray for those places where you need more of Jesus’ light.

Worship Song

Sing “Silent Night”

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

Closing Prayer

Written by Jennifer Phillips, the Vicar of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Kingston, Rhode Island

In a little town, known for nothing much,
God’s holy child was born.
Welcome the Light!

By the faint light of the moon,
Mary and Joseph found their way.
Welcome the Light!

Shown by a courtyard fire,
the open stable door.
Welcome the Light!

Warm breath of resting beasts,
kindly sparkle in their eyes.
Welcome the Light!

In the shadowy stable stall,
Joseph kindled a lamp.
Welcome the Light!

There Mary gave birth to Jesus,
called God-With-Us.
Welcome the Light!

Angels opened the doors of heaven,
sang, “Glory to God in the heights!”
Welcome the Light!

Shepherds saw the sky ablaze,
left their sheep and came to see.
Welcome the Light!

In the darkest winter night,
God set a brilliant star.
Welcome the Light!

Magi from the East
divined God’s shining sign.
Welcome the Light!

And on this Christmas night
with joy, we greet the Child.
Welcome the Light!

Amen!