24 December 2024
The Nativity of Our Lord
Christmas Eve
Ringing of the Bell
– The bell rings as the call to worship, reminding us to discontinue conversation and reverently prepare for worship.
Prelude
“Would I Miss the Miracle?”(Stuart/Nolan)
-Trinity Lutheran Choir
“Gesu Bambino” (composed by Pietro Yon)
-Dee Roeske, accompanied by Maurice Stafford on piano
“Bethlehem Dreams” (Lamb)
-Choir in Bronze
Welcome and Announcements
Stand
379 O Come, All Ye Faithful LSB 379 sts. 1, ref, 2, 4
1
O
come, all ye faithful,
Joyful
and triumphant!
O
come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come
and behold Him
Born
the king of angels: Refrain
ref
O
come, let us adore Him,
O
come, let us adore Him,
O
come, let us adore Him,
Christ the
Lord!
2
Highest,
most holy,
Light
of Light eternal,
Born
of a virgin, a mortal He comes;
Son
of the Father
Now
in flesh appearing! Refrain
4
Yea,
Lord, we greet Thee,
Born
this happy morning;
Jesus,
to Thee be glory giv’n!
Word
of the Father
Now
in flesh appearing! Refrain
Text:
tr.
Frederick Oakeley, 1802–80, alt.; John F. Wade, c.
1711–1786
Text: Public domain
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.
Invocation
P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
Exhortation
P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
P Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C who made heaven and earth.
P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,
C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.
Confession of Sins
P O almighty God, merciful Father,
C I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
Absolution
P Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Salutation and Collect of the Day
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
P Let us pray.
O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Sit
First Reading Micah 4:1–4; 5:2–4
It
shall come to pass in the latter days
that
the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall
be established as the highest of the mountains,
and
it shall be lifted up above the hills;
and peoples shall flow to
it,
and
many nations shall come, and say:
“Come,
let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to
the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his
ways
and
that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth
the law,
and
the word of the Lord
from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between many peoples,
and
shall decide for strong nations afar off;
and they shall beat
their swords into plowshares,
and
their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword
against nation,
neither
shall they learn war anymore;
but they shall sit every man under
his vine and under his fig tree,
and
no one shall make them afraid,
for
the mouth of the Lord
of hosts has spoken.
But
you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who
are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall
come forth for me
one
who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from
ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the
time
when
she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his
brothers shall return
to
the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in
the majesty of the name of the Lord
his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be
great
to
the ends of the earth.
366 It Came upon the Midnight Clear LSB 366 sts. 1, 4
1
It
came upon the midnight clear,
That
glorious song of
old,
From
angels bending near the earth
To touch
their harps
of gold:
“Peace
on
the earth, goodwill to all,
From heav’n’s
all-gracious king.”
The
world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the
angels
sing.
4
For
lo, the days have come to pass
By prophets
seen of
old,
When
down into the circling years
Came Christ
as was
foretold.
His
word of peace shall to the earth
God’s
ancient
promise bring,
And
all who take this gift will hear
The song
the angels
sing.
Text:
Edmund
H. Sears, 1810–76, alt.
Text: Public domain
Second Reading Luke 1:26–38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name 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 father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
361 O Little Town of Bethlehem LSB 361 sts. 1, 4
1
O
little town of Bethlehem,
How still
we see thee
lie!
Above
thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent
stars go
by;
Yet
in thy dark streets shineth
The
everlasting
light.
The
hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in
thee
tonight.
4
O
holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to
us, we
pray;
Cast
out our sin, and enter in,
Be born in
us today.
We
hear the Christmas angels
The great
glad tidings
tell;
O
come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord
Immanuel!
Text:
Phillips
Brooks, 1835–93
Text: Public domain
Third Reading Luke 2:1–7
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
364 Away in a Manger LSB 364 sts. 1, 3
1
Away
in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The
little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The
stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The
little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
3
Be
near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay
Close
by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless
all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And
take us to heaven to live with Thee there.
Text
(st.
1): Little Children’s Book, 1885, Philadelphia; (st.
3):
Vineyard Songs, 1892, Louisville, alt.
Text: Public domain
Fourth Reading Luke 2:8–14
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”
368 Angels We Have Heard on High LSB 368 sts. 1, ref, 3
1
Angels
we have heard on high,
Sweetly
singing o’er
the plains,
And
the mountains in reply,
Echoing
their joyous
strains. Refrain
ref
Gloria
in excelsis Deo.
Gloria
in excelsis Deo.
3
Come
to Bethlehem and see
Him
whose birth the angels sing;
Come,
adore on bended knee
Christ
the Lord, the newborn King. Refrain
Text:
tr.
The Crown of Jesus, 1862, Part 2, London, alt.; French
Text:
Public domain
Fifth Reading Luke 2:15–20
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
380 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing LSB 380
1
Hark!
The herald angels sing,
“Glory
to
the newborn King;
Peace
on earth and mercy mild,
God and
sinners
reconciled!”
Joyful,
all ye nations, rise,
Join
the triumph of the skies;
With
the_angelic host proclaim,
“Christ
is
born in Bethlehem!”
Refrain
ref
Hark!
The herald angels sing,
“Glory
to
the newborn King!”
2
Christ,
by highest heav’n
adored,
Christ,
the everlasting Lord,
Late
in time behold Him come,
Offspring
of a virgin’s
womb.
Veiled
in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail
the_incarnate Deity!
Pleased
as Man with man to dwell,
Jesus,
our Immanuel! Refrain
3
Hail,
the heav’n-born
Prince of Peace!
Hail,
the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and
life to all He
brings,
Ris’n
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. Refrain
Text:
Charles Wesley, 1707–88,
alt.
Text: Public domain
Sermon - Pastor Eric Ash
Christmas Eve C December 24, 2024 Luke 2:1-20
What Hasn’t Been Said
Have you heard this story? After the Christmas Eve service, the pastor was greeting the worshippers in the narthex. A man said to him, “Pastor, you’re in a rut.” “What do you mean?” the pastor asked. “Well,” the man said, “Every Christmas Eve we sing the same carols, we hear the same gospel reading, and you preach on the same text.” [Pause for prolonged laughter.] So, this Christmas Eve, I am going to do things differently, I’m gonna change things up a bit, and preach a sermon about the ancient tribe called the Jebusites that we read about in the Old Testament. The Jebusites: who were they, what did they do, and why that is important for us on Christmas Eve. Sounds exciting, huh?
No, I am only joking. I’m not going to talk about the Jebusites, not this Christmas Eve at least. The old, old story of Jesus’ birth is the story we love to tell and hear, although all of us have heard it many times before. We know it by heart. And it will be our focus this evening. And singing those familiar Christmas carols is a must, that’s non-negotiable. It just wouldn’t seem like Christmas Eve without them, would it?
We are comforted hearing and singing about Christ’s birth again and again. It never grows old, does it? In a world that is constantly changing, the consistency in the church’s proclamation of the Incarnation is reassuring. We know that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We know that Christ came to earth as a real live human baby 2,000 years ago. We know he is here with us today in Word and sacrament. And we know he will come again to bring this world to its completion and to take his people – that’s us -- to be with him forever. The repetition of that Good News is never monotonous, it’s reassuring. It refreshes and inspires us every time we hear it.
Is there anything at all we can say about Christmas that has never been said before? Maybe not, but there are many truths that are worth re-repeating. Most of all we need to hear that pure gospel message which is that in Jesus Christ God came to earth in the flesh, born of a virgin. Later he went to the cross to take away our sins and rose again to open to us the way to salvation. In eternity, every day will be like Christmas morning. That’s what we need to hear this Christmas Eve and remember every day of our lives.
However, there are also many things said about Christmas these days that aren’t quite right and need some correction. We need to “un-say” some of the misinformation and fake news that is often said about Christmas. When doubts are raised about Christmas in general, and what happened that first Christmas, it can challenge our faith and lead the people away from true belief. It is said that “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” An incomplete knowledge of the Bible and history runs the risk of poking holes in the faith of those who haven’t been taught the truth. Let’s look at a few popular ideas that supposedly contradict what we all know about Christmas. And you can use these facts to astound your atheist friends and family members at dinner tomorrow. Rest assured, there are convincing answers to all the questions skeptics raise.
For instance, some people question if December 25th is really the date of Jesus’ birth. It’s true that the Bible never says exactly what day Jesus was born. All sorts of theories have been created saying that date was selected to compete with a pagan holiday. To be candid, that was something I was taught and used to believe, now I am of a different opinion. Here's the truth: Christianity is diametrically opposed to paganism and would have nothing to do with a pagan holiday, not even coopting it for their own use. The pagan holidays celebrated on December 25 were created in the fourth century. There is no evidence pointing to a celebration of Saturnalia, or any other pagan holiday, before then. There is evidence of Christians celebrating December 25 as Jesus’ birthday in the second century, and they may have even before that. The so-called experts don’t know everything.
The date of December 25 is biblical, but it takes a little detective work to find it. You recall how the angel Garbriel told the priest Zacharias that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son in their old age. This occurred when Zacharias was serving in the Temple on Yom Kippur, which was in late October. That son would be John the Baptist. The same angel told Mary that should conceive and bear a son, who would be Jesus, the Son of God. Immediately, Mary went to see her kinswoman Elizabeth who was now six months pregnant. That visit then would have been in late March. Add nine months to that, the normal length of human gestation, and you get Jesus born in late December.
Isn’t it odd that the people closer in time and geography to the event of Christ’s birth, and to the witness of the first apostles, did not question the date of Christmas. It was only people opposed to Christianity, some 19 centuries after the fact, people who did not know the geography of the Holy Land, and the religion of the Jews, who raised doubts about the date. They convinced many Christians that they were correct, and in doing so, they raised doubts about all the other teachings of Christianity as well. That was probably always their goal. Don’t be misled.
It is also said shepherds would not be out in the fields at that time of year. What the critics didn’t know was that the area around Bethlehem was where the sheep used for the daily Temple sacrifices in Jerusalem were kept in all seasons and in all kinds of weather. Shepherds keeping watch over their sheep in the fields is not a deal breaker. There’s added meaning in that when we consider that Jesus is the Lamb of God, the sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world. As we said, a little knowledge raises doubts, more knowledge gives persuasive answers.
Of course, the fact that Jesus was really born is much more important than knowing the exact day he was born. If someone finds Jesus’ original birth certificate, or if a photograph is found of Mary holding a newspaper that has the headline “Savior Born Last Night” and it’s from any day other than December 25, 1 A.D., I’ll rethink what I think I know. But that obviously isn’t going to happen, is it?
Comments are also made about the census that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. That is what started in motion all the events that led to Jesus’ birth there. The census occurred when Ceasar Augustus was Roman Emperor. The Emperor was a real historical figure, documented in numerous places outside the Bible. This is not a “Once Upon a time…” fairy tale, this is solid, objective, documented history.
The census was always a prelude to taxation. That may seem like an illogical and unnecessarily difficult way to conduct a census and do taxes, making everyone go to their ancestral hometown. But take a look at the current US tax code and forms. Couldn’t they also be described as illogical and needlessly difficult? Just because something doesn’t make sense doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Bizarre stuff happens all the time, doesn’t it?
What’s really ironic is that the “Augustus” in the name Ceasar Augustus, means “the Exalted One.” Yet, the one true God, our God, uses this Roman king, whom his citizens considered to be a god, to do our real God’s will, which as we said, was to see to it that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The Old Testament prophets had predicted that the Messiah had to be born in Bethlehem, and God did everything necessary to make that happen. It’s also interesting that Bethlehem means “House of Bread.” At one time it was a center for bread baking. Jesus, as an adult, would proclaim himself to be “the Bread of Life.” Tonight, we will feast on the bread of the Holy Communion. That cannot be a mere coincidence. All the biblical details have purpose.
I believe the real reason that people want to deny the Christmas miracle, the birth of the Son of God, doesn’t have anything to do with history or science or whatever. The motivation to deny Christ’s birth is spiritual. Jesus is called Emmanual, which means “God with us.” But we often don’t want Christ with us. We would rather go our own way, than follow Christ. We want to sin with impunity; we don’t want God watching what we do. If we are going to be successful, if we are going to heaven, we want to do it our way, on our own, without any help, not even from God. But that just doesn’t work. We just can’t do it on our own.
That is why it was necessary for the Son of God to come to earth. He defeats sin and death. He does what we cannot. Jesus shares his victory with us, he shares eternal life with us, like a big beautifully wrapped Christmas present. We metaphorically exchange gifts with Jesus. We give him our sins, and he gives us his life, abundant life, everlasting life.
Can the Almighty God, the maker of the universe, really be born human baby? Can the finite bear the infinite? Can Christ “cast out sin and enter in, and be born in us today”? Yes, he can, and he is. Just as the shepherd heard the first Good News from the Angels, so do we hear God’s word of love and forgiveness today. Just as God in the flesh was present in the manger, so is Christ’s true body and blood present on our altar tonight. Those two together, Word and sacrament, create and sustain faith in us, giving us the ultimate gifts, peace, hope, joy, and love. The gifts that keep on giving. Amen.
Special Music
“Silent Night”
-Allison Dickinson with guitar
Stand
Apostles' Creed
C I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life T everlasting. Amen.
Prayer of the Church
P Loving Father, help us to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Lord in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P Almighty God, close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Lord in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P Gracious Lord, let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Lord in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P Heavenly Father, deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. Lord in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P Generous Lord, may Christmas morning make us happy to be your children and may Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Lord in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P Grant us these prayers, almighty Father, in the name of your Word made flesh dwelling among us, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C Amen.
(Adapted from “A Christmas Prayer” by Robert Lewis Stevenson)
Sit
Offertory Invitation, Christmas
Scripture tells us "God loves a cheerful giver." Let us with gladness, then, now give our tithes and offerings to the Lord.
Offering
Special Music
“Can You See the Light” (Price and Besig)
-Trinity Lutheran Choir
Stand
370 What Child Is This LSB 370 sts. 1, 3
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?
This,
this is Christ the king,
Whom
shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste,
haste to bring
Him laud,
The
babe, the son of Mary!
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.
Raise,
raise the song on high,
The
virgin sings her lullaby;
Joy, joy,
for Christ is
born,
The
babe, the son of Mary!
Text:
William C. Dix, 1837–98
Text:
Public domain
Offertory Prayer
God our Father, at His birth the shepherds offered the Holy Child their worship and praise. Accept these gifts which we bring to your altar in celebration of the Incarnation of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT
Preface LSB 160
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
P Lift up your hearts.
C We lift them to the Lord.
P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
Proper Preface
P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; for in the mystery of the Word made flesh You have given us a new revelation of Your glory that, seeing You in the person of Your Son, we may know and love those things which are not seen. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
Sanctus LSB 161
C Holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The Words of Our Lord
P On the night, in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same also, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, this cup is the New Testament in my blood, shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Lord's Prayer Invitation
As God's children we pray with confidence the words our Savior gave us. . .
Lord’s Prayer
C Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven;
give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
621 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence LSB 621 sts. 1–2
1
Let
all mortal flesh keep silence
And with
fear and
trembling stand;
Ponder
nothing earthly-minded,
For
with blessing in His hand
Christ
our God to earth descending
Comes our
homage to
demand.
2
King
of kings yet born of Mary,
As of old
on earth He
stood,
Lord
of lords in human vesture,
In the body
and the
blood,
He
will give to all the faithful
His own
self for
heav’nly
food.
Text:
Liturgy
of St. James, 5th cent.; tr. Gerard Moultrie, 1829–85,
alt.
Text: Public domain
Sit
Distribution
The pastor and those who assist him receive the body and blood of Christ first and then distribute them to those who come to receive, saying:
Take, eat; this is the true body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, given into death for your sins.
Amen.
Take, drink; this is the true blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shed for the forgiveness of your sins.
Amen.
Special Music
Christmas Selections
-Richard English on Violin
The Dismissal LSB 199
In dismissing the communicants, the following is said:
P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart T in peace.
C Amen.
Stand
Candle Lighting Ceremony
As worshippers entered the church, ushers distributed candles and holders. After Holy Communion, the pastor, taking a large candle, lights it from an altar candle which symbolizes Christ, the Light of the World. Then the pastor says:
Arise, shine; for Your Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon You. Jesus said, I am the light of the World; he who follows ME will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
363 Silent Night, Holy Night LSB 363 sts. 1–3
1
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.
2
Silent
night, holy night!
Shepherds
quake at the sight;
Glories
stream from heaven afar,
Heav’nly
hosts
sing, Alleluia!
Christ, the
Savior, is
born!
Christ,
the Savior, is born!
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 Thy
birth,
Jesus,
Lord, at Thy birth.
Text:
Franz Joseph Mohr, 1792–1848;
tr.
John F. Young, 1820–85
Text: Public domain
Benediction LSB 166
P The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace.
C Amen.
387 Joy to the World LSB 387 sts. 1–2, 4
1
Joy
to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth
receive her
King;
Let
ev’ry
heart prepare Him room
And
heav’n
and nature sing,
And
heav’n
and nature sing,
And
heav’n,
and heav’n and
nature sing.
2
Joy
to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men
their songs
employ,
While
fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the
sounding
joy,
Repeat
the sounding joy,
Repeat,
repeat the sounding joy.
4
He
rules the world with truth and grace
And makes
the nations
prove
The
glories of His righteousness
And wonders
of His
love,
And
wonders of His love,
And
wonders, wonders of His love.
Text:
Isaac
Watts, 1674–1748
Text: Public domain
Postlude
-Carole Aldrich on Organ
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Readers: Kristin Ives, Peter Carlin, Rich Shear, Ed Fahs