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Woship Resources 2008-2009 — Year B: Be a Sanctuary of Christ's Peace
Return to Year B: 2008-2009
Resource Index
Advent/Christmas
2008 Worship Resources
Introduction
Secular preparations for Christmas seem to begin earlier each year. In the
United States at least, Christmas decorations start appearing in stores before
Halloween. Yet despite this early start, Christmas is here and gone before we
know it. Sometimes Christmas passes, and we don’t see much difference. The pace
of life may increase, but we still work and go about our everyday activities. It
may be that the key to Christmas making a difference in our lives is for the
Advent season to be different. The more we get out of our regular routine, the
more different Advent and Christmas are, the better our celebration is, and the
better the rest of the year becomes.
This feeling highlights the need for Advent. We need a time of preparation
for the spiritual and religious meaning of Christmas. Advent provides that time.
The four Sundays before Christmas are dedicated to preparation and anticipation
of the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Considering various themes (hope, peace,
love, and joy), we prepare ourselves spiritually for Christmas.
Advent is a tradition with much history and symbolism. While the few minutes
available in a typical Sunday morning worship for Advent activities are hardly
enough to plumb the depths of meaning, they do provide enough time to introduce
the congregation to the richness of meaning in Advent and to whet their appetite
for a more in-depth experience of the Advent season. It is an opportunity that
should be approached intentionally and with careful planning. While Advent
observances do not have to be complicated, they should not be so brief and
quickly prepared that they fail to stir the heart. Planners responsible for this
element of the worship would do well to read an Advent book such as Marilyn
Brown-Oden’s Manger and Mystery (see Bibliography of Advent and Christmas
Resources) to be reminded of the potential of the season for the congregation.
What Is Advent?
Advent is a time of preparation—four Sundays of preparation for the
celebration of the birth of Jesus. It coincides with the weeks of activities
like buying and wrapping gifts, preparing cards, baking and decorating cookies
(eating the rejects), putting up a tree, hearing and singing carols, and going
to open houses.
It is a time of hopeful anticipation. But the presents under the Christmas
tree are only the beginning. Anticipation at this level is a secular
manifestation of the anticipation of the coming of Jesus, of his birth, and of
his continually coming into our lives. It is this anticipation that we celebrate
when we light the Advent candles in worship.
Four themes (hope, peace, love, and joy) help us focus on the qualities of
life with Jesus. They remind us that the life of the disciple is different from
what it would be otherwise. This difference has, at the same time, both present
and future aspects. Paradoxically, we both recognize that difference and long
for it.
The coming of a new baby is a time of anticipation, hope, and joy. There is a
joyful sense: “The baby is coming!” Advent is the same for Christians throughout
the world. It is as if the birth of the Christ child is still a future event. It
is still looked forward to.
Similarly, Advent holds the joyful sense that the adult Christ is still
coming. The One who came 2,000 years ago is still coming. He is always coming
into our hearts and into our communities. Hence the Advent prayer: May we be
ready. May we prepare the way for him to enter our hearts and our world.
Advent Themes
The World Church themes for Advent 2008 follow. The Advent theme is indicated
parenthetically. These themes are compatible and can be used simultaneously
without fear of disjunction.
November 30 Keep Awake! (Love)
December 7 The Lord Will Come (Peace)
December 14 Make Straight the Way of the Lord (Hope)
December 21 He Will Be Called the Son of God (Joy)
Worship outlines and service suggestions for these dates are included
elsewhere in this book (see Section III). The suggestions in this section are
provided as a supplement. As with all worship suggestions, they should be
adapted and modified to meet the needs and traditions of the specific
congregation.
Advent Wreath and Candle Lighting
The Advent wreath can provide a meaningful worship center for the season. An
evergreen wreath with four upright and equidistant candles represents
everlasting life (the wreath circle), divine illumination, and the coming of the
Messiah (the candles). A candle is lit each Sunday of the Advent season, with
the progressive lighting reminding us that the Light of the World will soon
arrive. A fifth candle is added to the center of the wreath and is lit to
signify the birth of Jesus during the service closest to Christmas Day. There is
no universal tradition for the color and names of the four candles in the
wreath. Three purple or blue candles can be used to symbolize the expectant hope
of Advent and a rose candle to represent rejoicing that Christ is coming soon. A
white candle is often used for the Christ candle in the center.
Be intentional about the Advent wreath. Too often the significance of the
Advent candle lighting is lost because a wreath or group of candles is hastily
arranged. Christian bookstores have attractive wreaths for purchase, or one can
be created by an artistic member of the congregation.
The following narratives are provided as readings to accompany the lighting
of the Advent candles. After the first Sunday, the candles from previous Sundays
should be lit prior to the beginning of the service.
Nativity Suggestion
These Advent readings include both an Advent wreath and a nativity as the
worship center for the season. The Advent wreath is discussed in detail above.
Suggestions for the progressive building of the Nativity are below. The purpose
of creating a new part of the Nativity each week is to help people understand
and look forward with anticipation to the coming of the Messiah on Christmas
Sunday. Each Advent section includes suggestions for adding nativity pieces.
Your congregation may have already purchased a traditional nativity. You
could create your own nativity from natural surroundings. Examples follow:
• A simple setting may be created by your congregation, perhaps by the
children in their Sunday classes. This will be special and unique for your
congregation and a way to include children in the life and worship of the
congregation.
• Place a large rock in the worship area with plants surrounding it, and
use a tarp or cloth cover to create a crude stable.
• Use a live nativity.
• Begin the Advent season with a large blank canvas. Each week an artist
adds the next character or symbol to the canvas. This might be done during
worship services so all can view the process of creating. Children can be
given their own canvas (piece of paper) to create their own nativity along
with the resident artist.
Advent Candle Lighting
Be a Sanctuary of Peace
The following service outlines may be integrated into the four Sunday worship
services before Christmas. Or they may be used for Sunday evening worships at
church or Sunday evening advent celebrations in the home.
If these outlines are used in church worship services, invite the candle
lighters (individuals or families) to walk down the center aisle during the
hymn. They may carry lighted taper candles and light the special candle after
the singing of the hymn. (Note: The asterisks used in these outlines indicate
that people may stand. For those who print these service outlines, print only
the material in bold.)
More ideas for advent services are found in the “Preparing
for Christmas” section.
Sanctuary of Love Where Peace Is Born
November 30, 2008
Reading: Love Is Coming
Jesus is coming!
Tender Mary, so young, her body a sanctuary for the tiny child.
Wise Joseph, trusting God, protects them with his life and honor.
Sanctuary.
Innkeeper, offering what he has, a barn, a cave, a stable,
a sanctuary of love where peace is born.
Celebrate and sing! Jesus is born!
Baby in a manger. Mother’s love. Father’s love.
God’s love.
Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn
“Silent Night! Holy Night!” HS 244
This music could also be played from a CD.
Reading: Candle Lighting
Candlelight.
Warm and bright.
In the darkness there is light.
Circle of our God’s embrace
surrounding all within this place,
sanctuary of God’s peace.
All the burdened find release.
Flame of love we light today.
Love in Jesus lights our way.
Hymn: “Look at This Man, Born of God” HS 230
Candle Lighting: The Candle of Love
Light the candle after the singing of this hymn.
Scripture: Luke 1:26–35
*Hymn: “Joseph, Kind Joseph” HS 234
*Prayer
Pray that the congregation’s love for one another will increase. For
example:
God, may our love increase. May our hearts be like Mary’s heart: open to
the warmth of your Holy Spirit, willing to be the love that this world
needs. May our hearts be like Joseph’s heart: willing to trust you and
provide safety and companionship for others. Open our hearts to those in
need. We ask that our lives, homes, and congregation be sanctuary for all
seeking your presence, safety, and fellowship in the Community of Christ. We
ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
*Response
Sanctuary of Peace
December 7, 2008
Reading: Peace Is Coming
Jesus is coming!
Humble shepherds huddling in the cold
see the sky fill with light and song.
Angels singing peace on earth,
peace on earth.
Sent to the stable, sanctuary of light and warmth
in that cold night,|
they witness the miracle of the baby
king.
Peaceable kingdom coming with him.
Celebrate and sing! Jesus is born!
Baby in a manger peacefully sleeping. Peacemaker.
God’s peace.
Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn: “Away in a Manger” HS
232/233
This music could also be played from a CD.
Reading: Candle Lighting
Candlelight.
Warm and bright.
In the darkness there is light.
Circle of our God’s embrace
surrounding all within this place,
sanctuary of God’s peace.
All the burdened find release.
Flame of peace we light today.
Peace in Jesus lights our way.
Hymn: “While Humble Shepherds” HS 236
Candle Lighting: The Candle of Peace
Light the candle after the singing of this hymn.
Scripture: Luke 2:8–14a
*Hymn: “Angels We Have Heard on High” HS 237
*Prayer
Pray that we may be instruments of peace. For example:
God, may we be instruments of peace. May our hearts
be like the shepherds’ hearts. May we be open to signs of your coming.
May we be among those who see your glory. Let us be among those who,
with the angels in the night sky, announce that the kingdom of peace is
here among us. May we find Jesus and be witnesses of his coming. May our
lives, homes, and congregation be sanctuary for all seeking your
presence, safety, and fellowship in the Community of Christ. We ask this
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
*Response
Hope Is Our Sanctuary
December 14, 2008
Reading: Jesus, the Sign of Hope
Jesus is coming!
Wise men were searching for signs in the heavens;
waiting for the King of Kings,
hoping for a
better world.
Wise men and women see, believe, and
follow.
We will be wise: see, believe, follow.
We will be wise: bring our greatest gifts.
Celebrate and sing! Jesus is born!
Baby in a manger. Peacemaker.
God’s love and our sanctuary.
Hope of the ages. King of kings.
Jesus Christ is born!
Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn:
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” HS 11
This music could also be played from a CD.
Reading: Candle Lighting
Candlelight.
Warm and bright.
In the darkness there is light.
Circle of our God’s embrace
surrounding all within this place,
sanctuary of God’s peace.
All the burdened find release.
Flame of hope we light today.
Hope in Jesus lights our way.
Hymn: “Silvery Star, Precious Star” HS 230
Candle Lighting: The Candle of Love
Light the candle after the singing of this hymn.
Scripture: Matthew 2:1–11
*Hymn: “What Child Is This” HS 257
*Prayer
Give thanks for the source of our hope. For example:
God, we are filled with hope because we believe that you are present in
this earthly life. The testimony of Jesus’ life, Emmanuel, God with us,
fills us with hope and joy. May we respond with wisdom as those ancient wise
ones and bring our best gifts to honor and serve him. May we offer whatever
we have: our talent, our time, our resources to serve his cause: the
peaceable kingdom. We ask that our lives, homes, and congregation be
sanctuary for all seeking your presence, safety, and fellowship in the
Community of Christ. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
*Response
Sanctuary of Peace Where All May Know Joy
December 21, 2008
Reading: Rejoice! Jesus Is Born!
Jesus is coming!
Tender Mary, so young, her body a sanctuary for the tiny child.
Wise Joseph, trusting God, protects them with his life and honor.
Sanctuary.
Innkeeper, offering what he has, a barn, a cave, a stable,
a sanctuary of love where peace is born.
Shepherds, witnesses of God’s revelation in the heavens.
In a manger. Poor and humble. God’s favored ones.
Wise men. Seekers after wisdom. Bringing their best to honor him.
You too (indicating the congregation) are favored ones.
You are called to nurture the Holy Spirit growing within you.
You are called to protect the weak and vulnerable.
You are called to be witnesses of God’s glory.
You are called to bring your best gifts to honor and serve.
Celebrate and sing! Jesus is born!
Baby in a manger. Peacemaker. God’s love.
Our love, our peace, our hope, and our joy.
Celebrate and sing! Jesus is born!
Hymn: “Sing Songs of Joy” HS 241
Reading: Candle Lighting
Candle Lighting
Candlelight.
Warm and bright.
In the darkness there is light.
Circle of our God’s embrace
surrounding all within this place,
sanctuary of God’s peace.
All the burdened find release.
Flame of joy we light today.
Joy that Jesus lights our way.
All the candles shining bright.
Flame of Christ the world’s great light.
Hymn: “Good News! Great Joy to All the Earth” HS 243
Candle Lighting: The Candle of Joy and the Christ Candle
If you don’t have a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service, you could
light the Christ candle at this time. Light the candles after the singing of
this hymn.
Scripture: Luke 2:1–14a
*Hymn: “Joy to the World” HS 258
Sing one verse.
*Prayer
Pray that our love will increase and all may know joy. For example:
God, may our love increase. May our hearts be like Mary’s heart: open to
the warmth of your Holy Spirit, willing to be the love that this world
needs. May our hearts be like Joseph’s heart: willing to trust you and
provide safety and companionship for others. Open our hearts to those in
need. We ask that our lives, homes, and congregation be sanctuary for all
seeking your presence, safety, and fellowship in the Community of Christ. We
ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
*Response
Advent Celebrations for
Families or Small Groups
Families able to participate in small group Advent celebrations may be
assigned to groups for celebrating in homes on Sunday or Wednesday nights the
four weeks of Advent. Create groups with all generations represented. Be sure to
communicate clearly with those hosting and bringing snacks and crafts so they
will know how many to prepare for.
Communicate with everyone regarding the meeting dates and the host families
chosen. The host family can then initiate necessary further communication
regarding reminders and assignment of tasks for the first meeting. Group members
can volunteer for helping at the next gathering at each meeting.
Assignments can be given for individuals to prepare a short worship with
caroling, bring supplies needed for activities (see the following suggested
list), and bring snacks or dessert to enjoy together. Every family can invite a
friend to attend these events.
Enjoy the following activities after Christmas caroling and a short
child-friendly or intergenerational worship or prayer service. Include child and
youth participation in worship by asking ahead of time for specific
contributions. Offer assistance to youth if needed.
Decorate Christmas cookies to take to members who are unable to get out
because of illness or age. Make arrangements for several people to visit
these individuals to deliver the cookies and hear their favorite Christmas
memories. Listening and sharing is the most important part of this time
together.
Make decorations for Christmas trees located at home or at church.
Close-up pictures of group members may be put in small, light-weight,
homemade frames to hang on the church tree. They can be taken home after
Christmas to be hung on the tree at home for future Christmases. This is a
good way to remember your Advent time together.
Christmas carol in the neighborhood. Give visited families church
brochures, and invite them to the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.
Inviting is very important.
Prepare Christmas food baskets for those in need. Each small group could
prepare one basket of nonperishable food. Give ingredients that are
traditional at Christmas. If it’s traditional to eat ham or turkey, include
a gift certificate for a local grocery store so the family receiving the
basket can get the fresh food to complete a special Christmas meal.
Make and decorate special fruit baskets for families or individuals who
would enjoy a visit. Remember, visiting is the most important part.
Have a food drive throughout the Advent season. Collect the
nonperishable food at church to distribute after arranging it with the
pastor or worship planners.
Have a secret pal drawing. Send your secret pal a special Christmas
card. Bring a gift (the group decides the amount of money to be spent) for a
gift exchange at your last Advent meeting. If you are unable to attend the
last meeting, be sure and send your gift.
Make Christmas cards for members that you haven’t seen for a while or
are unable to come because of illness or age. Make cards for people you may
want to invite to Christmas services.
Preparing for Christmas
Prepare the Church—Prepare Our Hearts
The Hanging of the Greens
There are four Sundays in Advent. The following service outline would be
ideal for an evening meeting before the first Sunday of Advent. Much of the
activity prepares the sanctuary for subsequent Advent activities. This service
may be an alternative to the first Sunday of Advent that appears in the main
body of this resource book. If it is, use the Advent candle lighting section
from November 30. The following service is timed at seventy minutes. There are
suggested adjustments if you conduct this service before November 30.
You may want to sing carols that are not in your hymn book. If you copy,
project, or display words and music from carols and hymns not in your hymnal,
apply for permission in plenty of time for their use.
In the weeks before Advent, choose leaders to organize others to prepare the
following:
- Banners for the four Sundays of Advent.
- Advent wreath and five candles with candleholders. Some
traditions use four pink candles and a purple center candle. Other
traditions use other colors. Have a table and tablecloth prepared to
hold the wreath and candles.
- Nativity scene. Choose an appropriate place to display it. Give
people of various ages individual pieces as they assemble for worship. Have
them bring the pieces to the designated place and assemble the scene during
the service.
- Life-size manger. (Jesus is not yet in the manger.) Fill
it with straw and set it up in front of the sanctuary.
- Christmas tree with lights and gift-idea decorations. Put paper
decorations on the tree, with notes attached, describing a child by gender
and age. Go through an agency to receive names. Include a suggested dollar
amount and a date for returning a wrapped gift for that child. A member will
collect all the presents and deliver them. Another option is to create
decorations with clothing items: mittens, socks, and hats can be hung on the
tree. You might choose to do a toy drive. During the worship service people
could bring their tithes and offerings to the manger and take a decoration
(with a child’s name) from the tree.
- Other decorations traditional for your congregation. If you
choose, prepare special decorations to add to the Christmas tree.
Worship Service Outline
Come and Praise God (15 mins.)
Welcome and Call to Worship: Psalm 134:1–2 (1 min.)
Praise in Song and Prayer (10 mins.)
Sing joyous carols and praise hymns that your congregation enjoys.
Expand this section by adding more hymns, carols, and prayers if you are
not using the Advent candle lighting section. Invite several children
and adults to offer short prayers of thanks and joy.
*Hymn: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” HS 238 (3 mins.)
*Invocation (1 min.)
Preparing Our Church—Preparing Our Hearts
Tradition: Going to Church and Hearing the Christmas Stories (10
mins.)
Announce the Season of Advent: What’s Coming? (2 mins.)
Announce and invite people to all Advent and Christmas celebrations.
The Christmas Story: Luke 2 (3 mins.)
Worshipers bring nativity pieces to the front and create the Nativity
scene. Play “Silent Night! Holy Night!” or “Away in a Manger” during
this section.
Stories and Memories (5 mins.)
Ask the congregation to share what they love about Christmas.
Tradition: Decorating the Sanctuary (20 mins.)
History of the “Hanging of the Greens” (2 mins.)
Let the congregation know that the phrase “Hanging of the Greens”
comes from Europe. For the northern Europeans and cultures that grew
from them, green represented the color of eternal life. The greenery
they decorated with came from trees that stayed green all winter. The
color red represented the blood of Christ, which reminds people of the
promise of eternal life. Decorations and colors may be chosen from other
cultures or from your own tradition.
Hymn: “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” HS 260 (3 mins.)
You may prefer another traditional Christmas carol such as “Deck the
Halls,” found in many books of carols.
Decorating: “Hanging of the Greens” (15 mins.)
Assemble the Advent wreath, place the candles, hang the banners, and
add other decorations that you have chosen. Decorate the Christmas tree.
If individuals know exactly what his/her part is and have all necessary
tools and materials, this section can be accomplished in fifteen
minutes. If you are not using the Advent candle lighting section, you
may allow more time. Play recorded Christmas music while decorating.
Tradition: Lighting the Advent Candle (10 mins.)
The tradition of the Advent wreath and candles came from
pre-Christian people in northern Europe. During their long winters,
people gathered greenery, built fires, and prayed that spring and the
light of the sun would return. Christians adapted this tradition to
remind themselves of the light of Christ and the hope that Christ
brings.
If this service is an alternative to November 30, see candle lighting
suggestions for that service and adapt them to take only ten minutes.
Tradition: Gift Giving (10 mins.)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1–5, 7–11 (2 mins.)
Bring Your Gifts to the Manger (8 mins.)
Invite the congregation to bring their gifts and tithes forward and
lay them in the manger. Individuals or families may also take a
decoration from the tree that describes a gift they can donate to the
clothing or toy drive. Play “What Child Is This” or “We Three Kings”
during this section.
Sent Forth to Celebrate (5 mins.)
Sending Forth (1 min.)
Remind the congregation to remember the reason for the season and not
to get too caught up in materialism and consumerism. Ask them to make
room in their hearts for the birth of the Lord Jesus and prepare to
recommit themselves to being his disciples.
*Hymn: “Good News! Great Joy to All the Earth” HS 243 (3 mins.)
*Benediction (1 min.)
*Recessional
Play joyous Christmas music.
Christmas Eve:
Sanctuary of God's Peace
December 24, 2008
Fill the room with soft candlelight. The four candles of Advent are lit
before the congregation arrives. This is a service of waiting and anticipation
with the joy and assurance that Jesus will be born in our lives. Participants
should represent the diversity of the congregation.
Following this service outline, you will find the text for each scripture
reading and the Sending Forth statement. All biblical scriptures in this outline
are adapted from or based on the NRSV.
Preparation for Worship: “O Holy Night”
Use a soloist, CD, or instrumental group.
Call to Worship
Reading: Isaiah 11:1–9
Prayer
Response
With Mary We Are Waiting
Reading: Luke 1:26–33, 46–48, 56
Hymn: “Silent Night! Holy Night!” HS 244
With the Shepherds We Are Tending Our Fields
Reading: Luke 2:8–20
Hymns: “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” HS 242
“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” HS 256
With the Wise Men We Are Watching for Signs of His Coming
Reading: Matthew 2:1–11
Hymn: “As with Gladness Men of Old” HS 254
We Bring Our Gifts
Hymn: “What Child Is This” HS 257
With the World We Are Praying for the Peaceable Kingdom
Reading: Isaiah 9:6–7
Hymn: “Newborn of God” HS 247
Prayer for Peace on Earth
Hymn: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” HS 248
With Jesus We Are Growing in Our Discipleship
Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 163:11a
*Hymn: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” HS 250
*Prayer for Our Discipleship
*Response
*Sending Forth
This reading is from John and I Peter.
*Postlude
Christmas Eve Readings
Call to Worship
Pianist can play “Silent Night” quietly to provide background for this
reading.
Reading
Come and Worship. Watch and wait. In a stable a child will be born. He
will be called Jesus, Messiah, Promise of the Prophets, Our Salvation. He
will be Emmanuel, the revelation of God with us. He will be Christ, Son of
God. Come and worship. Watch and wait while the world labors to birth the
Christ, God come down.
Isaiah 11:1–9 adapted
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow
out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of
wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of
knowledge and the fear of the Lord, and he shall stand as a signal to the
peoples. On that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to
recover the remnant that is left of his people. The wolf shall live with the
lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the
fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.
Come and worship. Watch and wait together. We wait for the birth of the
child who will lead us into the world’s salvation, the peaceable kingdom of
God on earth.
With Mary We Are Waiting
Luke 1:26–33, 46–48, 56 adapted
In the sixth month (of her cousin Elizabeth’s pregnancy with John) the
angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a
virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The
virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored
one! The Lord is with you.” But she was perplexed by his words and pondered
what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be
afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive
in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great
and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to
him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob
forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God
my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.”
And Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her
home. And like all mothers waiting for the birth of their child, Mary
waited, considering the wonderful things that she had heard.
We have heard the prophets, we have heard the angel, and we, too, have
seen the power of God working in wonderful and mysterious ways. Now we watch
and wait together. We wait for the birth of the child who will lead us into
the world’s salvation, the peaceable kingdom of God on earth.
With the Shepherds We Are Tending Our Fields
Based on Luke 2:8–20
We are like shepherds, tending to our lives as if in the dark, often
unthinking, sometimes caught up in our culture without judgment or wisdom.
As we wait for the child to be born, let us think together about how his
coming has made a difference; how his coming might make a difference in our
own lives. We know he calls us, even from the manger, to come and follow him
in a way that often flies in the face of our culture. As we wait for the
child to be born, let us humble ourselves like the shepherds so we may hear
the angel voices calling us to be witnesses of the coming of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
With the Wise Men We Are Watching for Signs of His Coming
Based on Matthew 2:1–11
Let us be wise enough to follow the signs of his coming into our lives.
As we watch and wait tonight for the child to be born, let us consider what
gifts we will offer in worship and service, in witness and invitation. As a
symbol of our willingness to bring our best to the manger to lay before the
child Jesus, let us now—at the direction of the ushers—bring our tithes and
offerings and lay them at the manger.
Ushers or deacons will invite people who are able to leave their chairs,
beginning at the back, to go forward down the center aisle to the manger and
leave their tithes. Deacons at the front will direct people to go back to
their seats, returning along the outside aisles. Adapt this movement
according to the arrangement of your sanctuary.
With the World We Are Praying for the Peaceable Kingdom
Based on Isaiah 9:6–7
The child is our Savior, born for us. Let the child, the Savior, the
Christ be born in our hearts as we remember his birth. We honor the baby
called Jesus; we remember the child who became a man. We know that he is our
brother, our Lord, and we would be among those called his disciples. We
shall follow him to bring justice to our world and so reveal the peaceable
kingdom.
With Jesus We Are Growing in Our Discipleship
Based on Doctrine and Covenants 163:11a
The baby that is born tonight and that night long ago is changing the
world. We will be humble like Mary and accept the gift of Jesus Christ. We
will be joyous like the shepherds and become his witnesses. We will be wise
like the Wise Men of old and offer our gifts in his name to the neediest
around us. We will be the body of Christ growing as Jesus grew to understand
and do the will of God. We will be the Community of Christ ushering in the
peaceable kingdom.
Sending Forth
John 20:19–22
“Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’…Then the
disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace
be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said
this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
I Peter 5:14
“Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”
Christmas Day:
Rejoice! Christ Has Come!
December 25, 2008
Following this worship outline, you will find the text for the readings used
in this service.
Call to Worship
*Hymn: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” HS 238
*Call to Worship Reading (from Isaiah 52)
*Invocation
*Response: “I Wonder as I Wander”
Have a soloist or a group sing the first verse of HS 251.
Prophets Foretell His Coming
Hymn: “Heir of All the Waiting Ages” HS 253
The Prophet Reading (from Isaiah 11)
The speaker may be in the costume of a prophet and comes forward from
the back to speak. The reading should be memorized or well practiced.
Music Interlude
A pianist can play one verse of HS 253.
The Angel Announces His Coming
Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn:
“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” HS 255
The Angel Gabriel Greets Mary Reading (from Luke 1)
The speaker may be in a white robe to represent the angel and may
come from the back to speak.
Music Interlude
Play the last two lines of HS 255.
The Shepherds Are Sent to Bethlehem to Witness His Coming
*Hymn: “Angels We Have Heard on High” HS 237
*The Angels Appear to the Shepherds Reading (from Luke 2)
Three or more angels in white robes come forward during the last
verse of the hymn, speaking immediately after it.
*Music Interlude
Play the chorus of HS 237 as the angels leave.
Wise Men Come from the East to Worship Him
Hymn: “The First Nowell” HS 246
Wise Men from the East Reading (from Matthew 2)
Three Wise Men in costume come forward during the last verse,
speaking immediately after it.
We Go as Disciples to Serve the Cause of the Kingdom
*Hymn: “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” HS 252
*Sending Forth
All of the characters come forward during the singing of the last verse
of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” speaking immediately after it.
Prophet: God’s voice comes to every generation declaring the Good
News!
Angel Gabriel: The Christ is now within you as he promised. You are
the body of Christ.
Angels: As the body of Christ, you are called to bring peace on earth
and good will to all.
Wise Men: (This section may be divided among the Wise Men.)
Seek the Christ. Bring your best gifts to honor and serve the Christ in
one another and in those he came to heal and teach. Search for signs of
God’s kingdom among you. His star has risen and has come to rest over
this place.
Presider: Jesus came to reveal the presence of God in our world.
Jesus, Son of God is born again in our hearts today. Let the light of
the Holy Spirit grow in your hearts and in the heart of this
congregation until the whole world knows the presence of God.
*Hymn: “Joy to the World” HS 258
*Benediction
Remember that a benediction is a simple statement of blessing. There
are many examples in the writings of Paul. From Galatians 6:18: “May the
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and
sisters. Amen.” Or you might add something like: “And, on this Christmas
morning, may you be blessed to grow in your discipleship in the
Community of Christ. Amen.”
*Recessional
Christmas Day Readings
Call to Worship, Adapted from Isaiah 52:1–8
Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion!
Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city;
…My people shall know my name; …in that day they shall know
that it is I who speak; here am I.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the one who announces
peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Come and worship the Lord
who sends his messenger to announce peace on earth.
The Prophet, Adapted from Isaiah 11
Listen, O people, to the voice of the Lord. The Messiah will come from Israel
and he shall be great like King David. He shall come as a branch from the great
tree that grows out of the roots of greatness. The spirit of the Lord shall rest
on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, the spirit of
knowledge and fear and delight in God.…
He shall come with justice and with righteousness and will stand with the
meek of the earth. When he comes he will establish his kingdom and it shall be a
peaceable one. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down
with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child
shall lead them…
People will no longer hurt or destroy on God’s holy mountain; for the earth
will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Listen, O people, to the voice of the Lord.
The Angel Gabriel Greets Mary, Based on Luke 1
Reader: When Mary was just a young woman, engaged to Joseph, an angel
appeared before her.
Angel: Mary, I greet you in the name of the Lord God who has chosen to
bless you above all women. Do not be afraid! You are in God’s favor. And
now, you will conceive and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will
be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will
give to him the throne of his ancestor David, and of his kingdom there will
be no end. The child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of
God.
The Angels Appear to the Shepherds, Based on Luke 2
One of the angels may be the Angel Gabriel from the previous reading.
Presider: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all
the world should register for the tax. All went to their own towns to be
registered. Joseph 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was
engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came
for her to deliver her child. 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.
And in that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping
watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before
them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Angel 1: Do not be afraid!
All Angels: Do not be afraid!
Angel 1: Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great
joy for all people. Listen. To you is born this day in the city of David a
Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you; you will
find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.
Reader: And suddenly the sky was filled with light and there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God.
Angel 2: Glory to God!
Angel 3: Glory to God!
All Angels: (Louder and more intense.) Glory to God! Glory to God
in the highest!
Angel 1: And on earth peace.
Angel 2: On earth peace.
Angel 3: Peace.
All Angels: Peace on earth, good will to all people.
All Angels: (Loudly) Glory to God in the highest and on earth
peace, good will to all.
There is silence for two or three seconds. Nobody moves. Then the piano
(music interlude) begins with a loud chorus of HS 237.
Wise Men from the East, Based on Matthew 2
Wise Man 1: (to the congregation) Where is this child that has
been born to be your king?
Wise Man 2: We have come for many days seeking a child.
Wise Man 3: We know from studying the stars that a special child has been
born among you. We have been waiting for many years for this wonderful
birth.
Wise Man 1: Where is this child? Is he here among you?
Wise Man 2: Tell us what you know!
Wise Man 3: We know that this child will grow and become your king. We
have seen his star. We have brought our finest gifts to give him.
Wise Man 1: We have come to worship him.
Wise Man 2: Please tell us where to find him.
Reader: They asked Herod the king where to find him, but it frightened
Herod. He believed that the child would take away his throne. The Wise Men
realized this and left, promising each other not to tell Herod what they
found. They set out to find the child and there, ahead of them, went the
star they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the
child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed
with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother;
they knelt down and worshiped him. Then, they opened their treasure chests;
they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Bibliography of Advent and Christmas Resources
Advent and Lent Activities for Children: Camels, Carols, Crosses, and
Crowns. Shiela Kielly and Sheila Geraghty. Mystic, Connecticut:
Twenty-Third Publications, 1996. ISBN 0-89622-676-X
Advent Arts and Christmas Crafts: Prayers and Rituals for Family, School,
and Church. Jeanne Heiberg. Mahwah, New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1995.
ISBN 0-8091-3586-8
The Candymaker’s Gift: The Inspirational Legend of the Candy Cane.
Helen Haidle and David Haidle. Tulsa, Oklahoma: Honor Books, 1997. ISBN
1-56292-150-9
Christ Is Coming: Celebrating Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany.
Theresa Cotter. Cincinnati, Ohio: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1992. ISBN
0-86716-157-4
The Christmas Almanack. Gerard and Patricia Del Re. Garden City, New
York: Doubleday & Company, Inc. 1979. ISBN 0-385-13353-7
The Christmas Cross. Max Lucado. Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing
Group, 1998. ISBN 0-8499-1546-5
The Christmas Drum. Maureen Brett Hooper. Honesdale, Pennsylvania:
Boyds Mills Press, 1995. ISBN 1-5639-7105-4
Christmas Gif’. Charlemae Rollins. Chicago: Follett Publishing
Company, 1963. ISBN 0688116671
Christmas Hearts: Images of Immanuel through the Eyes of Those Who Saw
Him First. Tim Roehl. Uhrichsville, Ohio: Barbour Publishing, 1998.
ISBN 1-57748-377-4
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey. Susan Wojciechowski.
Cambridge, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2002. ISBN 0-7636-1930-2
Christmas Traditions: Making Your Family Celebrations Memorable. Stan
Toler, editor. Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press, 1998. ISBN
0-8341-1716-9
The Christmas We Moved to the Barn. Cooper Edens and Alexandra Day.
New York: HarperCollins Children’s Book Group, 1997. ISBN 0-0620-5149-0
Cloth for the Cradle: Worship Resources and Readings for Advent,
Christmas, and Epiphany. Iona Community, Wild Goose Worship Group.
Chicago: GIA Publications, Inc., 2000. ISBN 1-57999-062-2
Everlasting Light: A Resource for Advent Worship. Sandy Dixon. St.
Louis, Missouri: Chalice Press, 2000. ISBN 0-8272-0816-2
Family Countdown to Christmas: A Day-by-Day Celebration. Debbie
Trafton-O’Neal. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2004.
ISBN 0-8066-3733-1
The Give-Away: A Christmas Story in the Native American Tradition.
Ray Buckley. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2004. ISBN 0-6870-7186-0
Guided Meditations for Advent, Christmas, New Year, and Epiphany.
Jane E. Ayer. Winona, Minnesota: St. Mary’s Press, 1997. ISBN 0-88489-517-3
Kneeling in Bethlehem. Ann Weems. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster
John Knox Press, 1987. ISBN 0-664-21323-5
Manger and Mystery: An Advent Adventure. Marilyn Brown-Oden.
Nashville, Tennessee: Upper Room, 1999. ISBN 0-8358-0861-0
Mary’s First Christmas. Walter Wangerin Jr. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Zondervan, 1998. ISBN 0-310-22216-8
Mary’s Treasure Box. Carolyn Walz Kramlich. Nashville, Tennessee:
Tommy Nelson, 1998. ISBN 0-8499-5834-2
The Missing Peace: The Search for Nonviolent Alternatives in United
States History. James C. Juhnke and Carol M. Hunter. Kitchener, Ontario:
Pandora Press, 2001. ISBN 1-894710-13-4
Moments for Christmas. Robert Strand. Green Forest, Arkansas: New
Leaf Press, 2000. ISBN 0-89221-265-9
Santa’s Favorite Story. Hisako Aoki. New York: Simon & Schuster
Children’s Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-689-81723-1
Singing in the Spirit. Mary Kay Beall. Carol Stream, Illinois: Hope
Publishing Company, 1998. ISBN 0-916642-65-8
Teach Us to Number Our Days: A Liturgical Advent Calendar. Barbara
Dee Baumgarten. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Morehouse Publishing, 1999.
ISBN 0-8192-1765-4
Worship Innovations: Hanging the Greens for Christmas. Janet Burton.
Lima, Ohio: CSS Publishing Company, 2000. ISBN 0-7880-1759-4
Internet Resources
www.homiliesbyemail.com
(posted according to season)
www.worship.ca (click
on Christmas under Additional Resources)
www.poemsforfree.com/xmaspo.html
www.holidays.net/christmas
www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/xmas
www.cvc.org/christmas
www.christmasincyberspace.com
www.techdirect.com/christmas
www.christmas-carols.net
www.wilstar.com/xmas
www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts.christmas
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Resource Index
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