Christmas Day
A Service of Celebration and Song
A Child Is Born
Scriptures
Isaiah 62:6–12, Psalm 97, Titus 3:4–7, Luke 2:1–20, Moroni 7:14,
Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a
Hymn Sing
“While Humble Shepherds” HS 236
“Joy to the World!” HS 258
Welcome
Prayer for Peace
Call to Worship
Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s shalom, invites all people to come and receive divine peace in the midst of the difficult questions and struggles of life. Follow Christ in the way that leads to God’s peace and discover the blessings of all of the dimensions of salvation. —Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a
Prayer of Confession
O God of peace, forgive us for clouding this season of giving with busy-ness. We become stuck in the mire of materialism and are blinded from seeing your blessing.
*Hymn
“O Come, All Ye Faithful” HS 238
*Invocation
Hymn
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” HS 252
The Story of Christmas
(If you wish, you can do a pantomime to the narration and incorporate choral and soloist music instead of the suggested hymns.)
Narrator: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all his empire should be taxed. This same taxing was when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one in his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David,) to be taxed, with Mary his espoused wife, she being great with child. —Luke 2:1–5 IV
Hymn
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” HS 248
Narrator: And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was none to give room for them in the inns. —Luke 2:6–7 IV
Ministry of Music: “Medley: No Room/Have You Any Room for Jesus”
(Accompaniment CD or download available from http://www.bensonsound.com/lyrics/0748.htm)
OR “Breath of Heaven” Hal Leonard Publishing SSA (08595537)
Lighting the Christ Candle
(All the candles except the white candle should be lit.)
For the Spirit of Christ is given to [everyone] that [they] may know good from evil; wherefore I show to you the way to judge: for everything which invites to do good, and persuades to believe in Christ is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ. —Moroni 7:14
(Light the white candle) I light this candle in remembrance of the gift of Jesus; a gift of love only God could give. Yet also as a reminder to us that we are God’s hands, keeping that gift of love alive in the world.
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn
“What Child Is This?” HS 257
Hymn
“Silent Night! Holy Night!” HS 244
Narrator: And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, an angel of the Lord appeared unto them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. But the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the way you shall find the babe, he is wrapped in swaddling clothes, and is lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest; and on earth, peace; goodwill to [all people].
…When the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go, even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. All they who heard it, wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. —Luke 2:8–18 IV
Hymn
“The First Nowell” HS 246, vv. 1–2
Homily
Based on Luke 2:1–10
Hymn
“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” HS 242
Narrator: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is the child that is born, the Messiah of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him. …lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child, with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshiped him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. —Matthew 3:1–2, 9–11 IV
Hymn
“The First Nowell” HS 246, vv. 3–5
Disciples’ Generous Response
Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to integrate the message of “share equally” between Local/Mission Center and World Mission Tithes. Generosity stories are provided to keep the church in touch with how contributions to Mission Tithes focus on the whole mission of Jesus Christ through the five life-changing, church-changing, and world-changing mission initiatives.
Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information as part of your offertory ministry. Visit www.CofChrist.org/generositystories/ to print a copy, or contact your pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.
Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes
Hymn
“Joseph, Kind Joseph” HS 234
Sending Forth
But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things which they had heard and seen… —Luke 2:19–20a IV
*Hymn
“Go, Tell It on the Mountain” HS 249
*Benediction
*Response
SERMON HELPS
Scripture: Luke 2:1–20
Exploring the Scripture
The author of Luke was not a modern historian, focused on accuracy of dates and names and places. Instead, the details chosen here focus on making a point, establishing a context that makes sense to his audience. The author is trying to communicate truth or meaning, rather than focusing on fact. The truth he wants to get across is that Jesus fulfills ancient promises of a messiah to come and is the true bringer of peace to oppressed people.
Emperor Augustus. When Augustus was born, the Roman senate was told that the ruler of the world had been born. Augustus’ legend was that his father was the god of war, Mars. He was famed as bringing peace through military might. By placing this story in the context of Augustus, the author of Luke suggests the true bringer of peace is not a Roman emperor, but Jesus, and the path to peace is love, not war.
The census journey. Trying to approach the census situation from a modern historical perspective leads to many problems.
- A Roman census probably didn’t happen in Judea until after Herod the Great’s son was deposed and Judea was incorporated into the Roman system—after Jesus was born. As a “client king” Herod could manage his land without a lot of Roman bureaucracy.
- The Roman census method involved recording people where they lived, rather than in the town of the origin of their lineage.
- Mary would not have to accompany Joseph, even if they did have to travel for a census.
- Quirinus became governor of Syria, with jurisdiction over this area, in about CE 6. Herod died in 4 BCE.
So why does the author of Luke tell of the family traveling to Bethlehem?
- Bethlehem was the city of David, and the messiah was to be descended from David.
- “Inn” could be translated “guest room” rather than a hotel; it’s a space to receive company, like the room for the Last Supper. There was apparently no room available, so Jesus was born in a stable. This underscored the humble situation Jesus was born in. Travel to fulfill responsibilities was inconvenient. Jesus did not come in the comfort of home or in a pampered setting, but as an urgent need in the middle of life’s requirements.
The shepherds. After the Babylonian exile, the shepherd profession lost its prestige. Shepherds were considered lazy people who took their flocks to graze on land they didn’t own. However, shepherding was connected to King David, who was called away from his sheep to Bethlehem to be anointed king by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:11). The author of Luke begins the story of Jesus’ life by including the marginalized; part of a larger pattern of inclusion.
Isaiah. Details and phrases all through the account echo back to Samuel, Isaiah, Judges, Kings, and Psalms. The author wants to ground this story in the promises of the past, interpreted in a new way. Here are some echoes from Isaiah alone:
- Isaiah 1:3. “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” In context, Israel has rebelled and does not acknowledge God as master, in the context of covenant and long relationship. (Look at Luke 2:7.)
- Isaiah 6:3. In Isaiah’s vision, angels sing “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Angels sing this about the Temple in Isaiah, and now they are singing about Jesus (Luke 2:13–14).
- Isaiah 9:6. This passage was probably for an enthronement ceremony for a crown prince. The author of Luke expands its meaning. (Look at Luke 11 for what that would have meant to the audience.)
Central Ideas
- True peace and security flow from the love of our generous God, not from military protection or secular rulers. This security comes out of vulnerability.
- God keeps promises to the poor and outcast, bringing surprising joy and glory in humble places.
- From the beginning, humanity failed to provide a “guest room” to God’s presence on Earth—but God came anyway.
Questions for the Speaker
- When has God blessed you in an inconvenient time, or an inconvenient way?
- “Glory” reveals the presence and working of God in the world around us. How has God been “glorified” in your experience?
- God seems to honor promises in unexpected ways. When did God keep a scriptural promise in your life, in a way you did not expect?
- When have you seen marginalized people overflow with the joy of God’s presence and promises?