On
the Road to Bethlehem
Christmas
Eve 2016
Gathering Music
Greeting
The Presider proclaims Isaiah’s words of good news
to the nations.
60.1
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon
you. 2 For darkness shall
cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory
will appear over you. 3
Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Hymn
‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ Common Praise #120
During the singing of the Hymn the Animals are
carried in procession to the Crèche.
First Reading: Luke 2.1-5
2.1
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should
be registered. 2 This was the
first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to
be registered. 4 Joseph also
went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called
Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with
Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
Hymn
‘All Poor Folk and Humble’ Common Praise #151
During the singing of the Hymn Mary and Joseph are
carried in procession to the Crèche.
Second Reading: Luke 2.6-7
6 While they were there, the time came for [Mary] to
deliver her child. 7 And she
gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him
in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Hymn
‘The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy’ Common Praise #128
During the singing of the Hymn the Christ Child is
carried in procession to the Crèche.
Third Reading: Luke 2.8-14
8
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over
their flock by night. 9 Then
an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were terrified. 10
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good
news of great joy for all the people: 11
to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the
Lord. 12 This will be a sign
for you: you will find a child wrapped
in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the
highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!”
Hymn
‘Hark! The
Herald Angels Sing’ Common Praise #138
During the singing of the Hymn the Angels are
carried in procession to the Crèche.
Fourth Reading: Luke 2.15-16
15 When the angels had left them and gone into
heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see
this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and
found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.
Hymn
‘Shepherds in the Field Abiding’ Common Praise #135
During the singing of the Hymn the Shepherds are
carried in procession to the Crèche.
Fifth Reading: Matthew 2.1-2, 7-11
2.1
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men
from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who
has been born king of the Jews? For we
observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”
7
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact
time when the star had appeared. 8
Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the
child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay
him homage.” 9 When they had
heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they
had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child
was. 10 When they saw that
the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw
the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they
offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Hymn
‘We Three Kings of Orient Are’ The Hymnal 1982 #128 vv. 1, 2, 3, 4
· During verse 1 the
gold-bearing Mage is carried to the Crèche.
· During verse 2 the
frankincense Mage is carried to the Crèche.
· During verse 3 the
myrrh-bearing Mage is carried to the Crèche.
· During verse 4 an offering
is taken and the plates placed before the Crèche.
Intercessions, Petitions
and Thanksgivings
Let us offer our prayers to the Christ Child this
night, saying,
‘In your mercy, hear our prayer.’
In your mercy, hear
our prayer.
Holy Child of Bethlehem, we pray for all who are
homeless.
In your mercy, hear
our prayer.
Holy Child of Bethlehem, we pray for all who live
in poverty.
In your mercy, hear
our prayer.
Holy Child of Bethlehem, we pray for all who are
lost, alone and cry for loved ones.
In your mercy, hear
our prayer.
Holy Child of Bethlehem, we pray for all who live
with danger and all who are persecuted.
In your mercy, hear
our prayer.
Holy Child of Bethlehem, we pray for all who are
far from their homes.
In your mercy, hear
our prayer.
Holy Child of Bethlehem, help us to see you in
people everywhere.
In your mercy, hear
our prayer.
Lord Jesus Christ, your birth at Bethlehem draws us
to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth:
accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you, our Saviour and our
eternal God. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour taught
us.
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,
the power and
the glory,
for ever and
ever. Amen.
Hymn
‘Silent Night’
Common Praise #119
During the singing of ‘Silent Night’ the congregational
candles will be lighted.
The Blessing
May the blessing of God the Author of creation,
God the Word of redemption
and God the Spirit of wisdom be upon you
and remain with you now and for ever. Amen.
The Dismissal
Go forth in love to proclaim the birth of Christ.
Thanks be to
God.
Concluding Music
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