CHRISTMAS CAROLS – by Tanis Harms, © 2019
CHRISTMAS CAROLS – by Tanis Harms, © 2019
.....use in address bar: churchskits.blogspot.com
(Ideal for Christmas candlelight services, with flexibility to personalize. Use other music or use the recommended, free, public domain sheet music. Download at this link.)
STYLE:
Music and recital program. (12 pages)
PREMISE:
A Christmas program with brief testimonies, and scripture readings that relate to a variety of Christmas songs.
TOPIC:
The meaning of Christmas, salvation.
SCRIPTURE:
Ephesians 1:7.
CHARACTERS:
PERSON 1 to 15 – clear, strong speakers
SINGER/S - (optional, can just have congregational singing)
NOTES:
- Use all, or choose which segments you wish to use.
- Bible verses are NASB.
SCRIPT:
(INTRO SONG: “SILENT NIGHT”, lyrics by Joseph Mohr, music by Franz Grüber.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 3)
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 the Thy birth.
Jesus, Lord at the Thy birth.
PERSON 1a:
Christmas carols help remind us and celebrate the good news that Jesus left heaven and came to earth to bring us His light and hope. For...
PERSON 1b:
(reciting Ephesians 1:7)
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.
(SONG 1: “I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY”, lyrics by Henry W. Longfellow, music by John Baptiste Calkin.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 3)
And in despair I bow'd my head:
There is no peace on earth,' I said,
For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.' "
(singing verse 4)
Yet pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.'
PERSON 2a:
It was foretold that Jesus would come to earth through the bloodline of the Israelites in order to fulfill God’s covenants with them.
PERSON 2b:
(reciting Acts 3:25-26)
“It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’... For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”
(SONG 2: “LO, HOW A ROSE E’RE BLOOMING”.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 2)
Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind;
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God's love aright
She bore to men a Savior,
When half gone was the night.
(singing verse 3)
This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere;
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens every load."
PERSON 3a:
God always keeps His promises. And when Jesus, Israel’s Messiah, came to earth, although He was rejected, this brought with it, blessings and hope to all the world.
PERSON 3b:
(reciting Matthew 21:42)
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone; this came about from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
(SONG 3: “COME THOU LONG EXPECTED KING”, lyrics by Charles Wesley, music by Rowland H. Prichard.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of ev'ry nation,
Joy of ev'ry longing heart.
PERSON 4a:
When Jesus came to earth, He was fully man, while still being fully God.
PERSON 4b:
(reciting Matthew 1:18-23)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit... And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly...
(continuing)
But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
(SONG 4: “HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING”, lyrics by Charles Wesley, music by Felix Mendelssohn & William H. Cummings.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 2)
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of the Virgin's womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
(singing verse 3)
Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son or Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth,
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
PERSON 5a:
Jesus had to be fully man so He could live and die in our place. And Jesus had to be fully God, because only God could live a perfect life without any sin, only God could pay the price for all sins of all time, only God could have victory over death, and only God can forgive our sins and give us eternal life through Him.
PERSON 5b:
(reciting Hebrews 2:17)
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
(SONG 5: “THOU DIDST LEAVE THY THRONE”, lyrics by Emily E.S. Eliott, music by Timothy R. Matthews.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 4)
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn
They bore Thee to Calvary. O come to my heart,
Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee!
PERSON 6a:
Jesus came to earth, born as a baby, to accomplish His work on the cross with the desire that we might be born again as a child of God. And as God used Mary, who was not perfect but had faith in God, God can certainly use us when we have a humble and willing heart.
PERSON 6b:
(reciting Romans 8:28-29)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren
(SONG 6: “WHAT CHILD IS THIS?”, lyrics by William C. Dix, music is a traditional English melody.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping.
(singing chorus)
This, this Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
(singing verse 3)
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own Him;
The King of kings Salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
(singing chorus)
This, this Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
PERSON 7a:
Coming to earth, Jesus humbled Himself to be our greatest example of unconditional love. Whether we would love Him back or not, He went to the cross for us. How could we not bow down to Him in gratitude?
PERSON 7b:
(reciting Philippians 2:5-11)
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(SONG 7: “ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH”, traditional.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 3)
Come to Bethlehem, and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
(singing verse 4)
See within a manger laid
Jesus, Lord of heav'n and earth!
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior's birth.
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
PERSON 8a:
More than the innkeeper who provided a stable, let us make room for Jesus in our hearts.
PERSON 8b:
(reciting 1 Timothy 2:3-6)
This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.
(SONG 8: “JOY TO THE WORLD”, lyrics by Isaac Watts, music by George Frederick Handel.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
Joy to the World, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven,
and Heaven,
and nature sing.
PERSON 9a:
Jesus came to earth to die for everyone! Just as the angels announced the birth of Jesus to the lowly shepherds, the dregs of society, this good news is meant for all to hear.
PERSON 9b:
(reciting John 3:16)
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
PERSON 9c:
(reciting Romans 10:11-13)
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
(SONG 9: “WHILE SHEPERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS”, lyrics by George Frederick Handel, music by Nahum Tate.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around,
And glory shone around.
(singing verse 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,
To you and all mankind."
PERSON 10a:
Just as the wise men sought after Jesus, we can recognize and embrace God’s wisdom.
PERSON 10b:
(reciting Colossians 2:2-3)
that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
(SONG 10: “ANGELS, FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY”, lyrics by James Montgomery, music by Henry T. Smart.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 3)
Sages leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
PERSON 11a:
Just as the angels celebrated the birth of Jesus, and gave glory to God, we can remember and celebrate! How great and wonderful is our Lord and Savior! Because of Jesus’ love and almighty power, we can say...
PERSON 11b:
(reciting Luke 2:10a-14)
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
(SONG 11: “THE BIRTHDAY OF A KING”, lyrics & music by William Harold Neidlinger, edited by Tanis Harms.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
In the little village of Bethlehem,
there lay a Child one day,
And the sky was bright
with a holy light
o'er the place where Jesus lay,
(singing chorus)
Alleluia!
O how the angels sang.
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright
with a holy light,
Twas the birthday of a King.
(singing verse 2)
Twas a humble birthplace, but oh, how much
God gave to us that day,
From the manger bed
what a path has led,
what a perfect holy way.
(singing chorus)
Alleluia!
O how the angels sang.
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright
with a holy light,
Twas the birthday of a King.
PERSON 12a:
Salvation through Jesus is eternal joy. This gift generates immense confidence in our faith and trust in the Lord.
PERSON 12b:
(reciting 1 Peter 1:6-9)
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
(SONG 12: “HOW GREAT OUR JOY”, arranged by Hugo Jüngst.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 4)
This gift of God we’ll cherish well,
That ever joy our hearts shall fill.
Joy, joy, joy, Joy, joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in heav’n on high!
Praise we the Lord in heav’n on high!
PERSON 13a:
As the wise men followed the star to Jesus, so we should use Jesus as our guiding light.
PERSON 13b:
(reciting John 8:12)
.....use in address bar: churchskits.blogspot.com
(Ideal for Christmas candlelight services, with flexibility to personalize. Use other music or use the recommended, free, public domain sheet music. Download at this link.)
STYLE:
Music and recital program. (12 pages)
PREMISE:
A Christmas program with brief testimonies, and scripture readings that relate to a variety of Christmas songs.
TOPIC:
The meaning of Christmas, salvation.
SCRIPTURE:
Ephesians 1:7.
CHARACTERS:
PERSON 1 to 15 – clear, strong speakers
SINGER/S - (optional, can just have congregational singing)
NOTES:
- Use all, or choose which segments you wish to use.
- Bible verses are NASB.
SCRIPT:
(INTRO SONG: “SILENT NIGHT”, lyrics by Joseph Mohr, music by Franz Grüber.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 3)
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 the Thy birth.
Jesus, Lord at the Thy birth.
PERSON 1a:
Christmas carols help remind us and celebrate the good news that Jesus left heaven and came to earth to bring us His light and hope. For...
PERSON 1b:
(reciting Ephesians 1:7)
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.
(SONG 1: “I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY”, lyrics by Henry W. Longfellow, music by John Baptiste Calkin.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 3)
And in despair I bow'd my head:
There is no peace on earth,' I said,
For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.' "
(singing verse 4)
Yet pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.'
PERSON 2a:
It was foretold that Jesus would come to earth through the bloodline of the Israelites in order to fulfill God’s covenants with them.
PERSON 2b:
(reciting Acts 3:25-26)
“It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’... For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”
(SONG 2: “LO, HOW A ROSE E’RE BLOOMING”.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 2)
Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind;
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God's love aright
She bore to men a Savior,
When half gone was the night.
(singing verse 3)
This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere;
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens every load."
PERSON 3a:
God always keeps His promises. And when Jesus, Israel’s Messiah, came to earth, although He was rejected, this brought with it, blessings and hope to all the world.
PERSON 3b:
(reciting Matthew 21:42)
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone; this came about from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
(SONG 3: “COME THOU LONG EXPECTED KING”, lyrics by Charles Wesley, music by Rowland H. Prichard.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of ev'ry nation,
Joy of ev'ry longing heart.
PERSON 4a:
When Jesus came to earth, He was fully man, while still being fully God.
PERSON 4b:
(reciting Matthew 1:18-23)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit... And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly...
(continuing)
But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
(SONG 4: “HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING”, lyrics by Charles Wesley, music by Felix Mendelssohn & William H. Cummings.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 2)
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of the Virgin's womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
(singing verse 3)
Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son or Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth,
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
PERSON 5a:
Jesus had to be fully man so He could live and die in our place. And Jesus had to be fully God, because only God could live a perfect life without any sin, only God could pay the price for all sins of all time, only God could have victory over death, and only God can forgive our sins and give us eternal life through Him.
PERSON 5b:
(reciting Hebrews 2:17)
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
(SONG 5: “THOU DIDST LEAVE THY THRONE”, lyrics by Emily E.S. Eliott, music by Timothy R. Matthews.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 4)
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn
They bore Thee to Calvary. O come to my heart,
Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee!
PERSON 6a:
Jesus came to earth, born as a baby, to accomplish His work on the cross with the desire that we might be born again as a child of God. And as God used Mary, who was not perfect but had faith in God, God can certainly use us when we have a humble and willing heart.
PERSON 6b:
(reciting Romans 8:28-29)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren
(SONG 6: “WHAT CHILD IS THIS?”, lyrics by William C. Dix, music is a traditional English melody.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping.
(singing chorus)
This, this Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
(singing verse 3)
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own Him;
The King of kings Salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
(singing chorus)
This, this Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
PERSON 7a:
Coming to earth, Jesus humbled Himself to be our greatest example of unconditional love. Whether we would love Him back or not, He went to the cross for us. How could we not bow down to Him in gratitude?
PERSON 7b:
(reciting Philippians 2:5-11)
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(SONG 7: “ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH”, traditional.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 3)
Come to Bethlehem, and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
(singing verse 4)
See within a manger laid
Jesus, Lord of heav'n and earth!
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior's birth.
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
PERSON 8a:
More than the innkeeper who provided a stable, let us make room for Jesus in our hearts.
PERSON 8b:
(reciting 1 Timothy 2:3-6)
This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.
(SONG 8: “JOY TO THE WORLD”, lyrics by Isaac Watts, music by George Frederick Handel.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
Joy to the World, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven,
and Heaven,
and nature sing.
PERSON 9a:
Jesus came to earth to die for everyone! Just as the angels announced the birth of Jesus to the lowly shepherds, the dregs of society, this good news is meant for all to hear.
PERSON 9b:
(reciting John 3:16)
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
PERSON 9c:
(reciting Romans 10:11-13)
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
(SONG 9: “WHILE SHEPERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS”, lyrics by George Frederick Handel, music by Nahum Tate.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around,
And glory shone around.
(singing verse 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,
To you and all mankind."
PERSON 10a:
Just as the wise men sought after Jesus, we can recognize and embrace God’s wisdom.
PERSON 10b:
(reciting Colossians 2:2-3)
that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
(SONG 10: “ANGELS, FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY”, lyrics by James Montgomery, music by Henry T. Smart.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 3)
Sages leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
PERSON 11a:
Just as the angels celebrated the birth of Jesus, and gave glory to God, we can remember and celebrate! How great and wonderful is our Lord and Savior! Because of Jesus’ love and almighty power, we can say...
PERSON 11b:
(reciting Luke 2:10a-14)
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
(SONG 11: “THE BIRTHDAY OF A KING”, lyrics & music by William Harold Neidlinger, edited by Tanis Harms.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
In the little village of Bethlehem,
there lay a Child one day,
And the sky was bright
with a holy light
o'er the place where Jesus lay,
(singing chorus)
Alleluia!
O how the angels sang.
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright
with a holy light,
Twas the birthday of a King.
(singing verse 2)
Twas a humble birthplace, but oh, how much
God gave to us that day,
From the manger bed
what a path has led,
what a perfect holy way.
(singing chorus)
Alleluia!
O how the angels sang.
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright
with a holy light,
Twas the birthday of a King.
PERSON 12a:
Salvation through Jesus is eternal joy. This gift generates immense confidence in our faith and trust in the Lord.
PERSON 12b:
(reciting 1 Peter 1:6-9)
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
(SONG 12: “HOW GREAT OUR JOY”, arranged by Hugo Jüngst.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 4)
This gift of God we’ll cherish well,
That ever joy our hearts shall fill.
Joy, joy, joy, Joy, joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in heav’n on high!
Praise we the Lord in heav’n on high!
PERSON 13a:
As the wise men followed the star to Jesus, so we should use Jesus as our guiding light.
PERSON 13b:
(reciting John 8:12)
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
(SONG 13: “AS WITH GLADNESS”, lyrics by William C.Dix, music by Conrad Kocher.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed His light,
Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee
PERSON 14a:
As Jesus is our shining light of life, we should desire to shine His light to the world and pass along the good news.
PERSON 14b:
(reciting Ephesians 5:8)
for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
PERSON 14c:
(reciting Matthew 5:14-16)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
(There can be a short message from Pastor, then the lighting of the candles and passing of the light.)
(SONG 14: “O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHM”, lyrics by Phillips Brooks, music by Lewis H. Redner.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above the deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light!
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to night.
(singing verse 3)
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still
The dear Christ enters in.
(Depending on the size of your church, and in order to enjoy the candlelight moment, you may want to sing extra verses, and sing verse 1 again right at the end.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 4)
O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend on 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, Emmanuel.
(singing verse 1)
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above the deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light!
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to night.
(SONG 13: “AS WITH GLADNESS”, lyrics by William C.Dix, music by Conrad Kocher.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed His light,
Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee
PERSON 14a:
As Jesus is our shining light of life, we should desire to shine His light to the world and pass along the good news.
PERSON 14b:
(reciting Ephesians 5:8)
for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
PERSON 14c:
(reciting Matthew 5:14-16)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
(There can be a short message from Pastor, then the lighting of the candles and passing of the light.)
(SONG 14: “O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHM”, lyrics by Phillips Brooks, music by Lewis H. Redner.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 1)
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above the deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light!
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to night.
(singing verse 3)
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still
The dear Christ enters in.
(Depending on the size of your church, and in order to enjoy the candlelight moment, you may want to sing extra verses, and sing verse 1 again right at the end.)
SINGER/S:
(singing verse 4)
O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend on 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, Emmanuel.
(singing verse 1)
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above the deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light!
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to night.
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