'On the Road to Bethlehem' is Saint Faith's adaptation of Lessons and Carols to facilitate the involvement of the children in the early service on Christmas Eve.
On the Road to Bethlehem
Christmas Eve 2017
4.00 p.m.
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 Come, All Ye Faithful’ Common Praise #118
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
‘Once in Royal David’s City’ Common Praise #123
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
‘Away in a Manger’ Common Praise #126
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
‘While Shepherds Watch Their
Flocks’ Common Praise #136 vv. 1, 2, 3,
4
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 Mary, we pray for all
who live in poverty.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Child of Joseph, we pray for
all who are lost, alone and cry for loved ones.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Child of the angels, we pray
for all who live with danger and all who are persecuted.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Child of the shepherds, we
pray for all who are far from their homes.
In your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Child of the magi, 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.
After the Blessing the
congregational candles are extinguished.
Hymn
‘Joy
to the World’ Common Praise #154
The
Dismissal
Go forth in love to proclaim the
birth of Christ.
Thanks
be to God.
Concluding
Music
