Christmas Day
Christmas Day prayers and worship resources

"The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. "   - John 1:9-10

Call to Worship

L: Christ is born; give him glory!
P: Christ has come down from heaven; reveive him! Christ is now on earth; exalt him!

L: O you earth, sing to the Lord!
P: O you nations, praise him in joy,
for he has been glorified!

 

Invocation
(John Suter)

Send, O God, into the darkness of this troubled world,
the light of your Son.
Let the star of our hope touch the minds of all people
with the bright beams of mercy and truth;
and so direct our steps that we may ever walk in the way revealed to us,
as the shepherds of Bethlehem walked with joy
to the manger where he dwelled,
who now and ever reigns in our hearts,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Prayer For Illumination
(works well w/ Gospel lesson)

Open wide the window of our spirits, O Lord, and fill us full of light; open wide the door of our hearts, that we may receive and entertain thee with all our powers of adoration and love.  Amen.

 

A Christmas Day Prayer
by Rev. F. Schaefer

God of grace and providence, we stand amazed at the miracle of the incarnation.   Make us ready to receive your great gift in Jesus Christ once again as we celebrate Christmas 2001.  By your Holy Spirit enable us to understand the true meaning of Christma. On this day especially we invite you to be present with us as we open gifts, as we visit with friends and family, and as we contemplate what Christmas means for us. And be with joy and peace in the lives of people around the world, especially those who must be apart from loved ones, those who have no meal to share and no guest to host.  On this day, be with us in a special way through Jesus, your gift to us.  Amen.

 

Lighting of the Advent Wreath & Christ Candle

Scripture of Prophecy:
Isaiah 9:2

Responsive Litany:
L: Christ is born; give him glory.
P: Christ has come into this world as a light shining in darkness.
L: We light the Christ candle as a sign of His light which is shining all around us.

Hymn:
"Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light"

 

Blessing of a Manger Scene

God of every nation and people,
From the beginning of creation you have made manifest your love.
When our need for a Savior was great
You sent you Son to be born of the virgin Mary.
To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love.
Lord, bless all who look upon this manger.
May it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus,
And raise up our thoughts to him,
Who is God-with-us and Savior of all,
And who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
 

Sermons:

• Reflecting the Light    (see excerpt below)
  a sermon based on John 1:1-14 for Christmas Day
  Rev. Brian K Eiss
   

• Reflections of Light, John 1:1-18; 8:12 
  Rev. Randy L. Quinn
   

• Waiting on the World to Change Luke 2:6-12
  by Rev. Frank Schaefer
   

• God has Pitched a Tent, John 1: 1-18
   by Rev. John Nadasi
   

Children's Sermons:

• The Greatest Gift
  by Rev. F. Schaefer
   

• Putting the Pieces together
  by Rev. F. Schaefer
   

• Angels We Have Heard on High
  by Rev. F. Schaefer

 

Closing Prayer
by Mehrke in SD

Dear Lord, on a wondrous night you sent your son to take on frail human flesh in order that all who believe in Jesus might be saved. You sent angels to herald his birth in Bethlehem and a star to proclaim it to the ends of the earth. Send us now as messengers of your good news and proclaimers of your peace. In Jesus name we pray. Amen 

 

Sermon Excerpt:

Reflecting the Light
a sermon based on John 1:1-14 for Christmas Day
Rev. Brian K Eiss

Good morning, welcome, and Merry Christmas. It is not often that we have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas Day and a Sunday morning at the same time. We have spent a great deal of time preparing for today - cookies, wrapping gifts, decorating. Together we hope that the world has spent a little time preparing within for the coming of the Light of Christ into our hearts. We begin today with a story.
Two cars were waiting at a stoplight. The light turned green, but the man didn't notice it. A woman in the car behind him is watching traffic pass around them. The woman begins pounding on her steering wheel and yelling at the man to move. The man doesn't move. The woman is going ballistic inside her car, ranting and raving at the man, pounding on her steering wheel and dash.
The light turns yellow and the woman begins to blow the car horn, and screams some choice words at the man. The man, looks up, sees the yellow light and accelerates through the intersection just as the light turns red.
The woman is beside herself, screaming as she misses her chance to get through the intersection. As she is still in mid-rant she hears a tap on her window and looks up into the barrel of a gun held by a very serious-looking policeman. The policeman tells her to shut off her car while keeping both hands in sight. She complies, speechless at what is happening. After she shuts off the engine, the policeman orders her to exit her car with her hands up. She gets out of the car and he orders her to turn and place her hands on her car, then handcuffs her and takes her to the police station where she is fingerprinted, photographed, searched, booked, and placed in a cell.
After a couple of hours, she is let out of the cell and escorted back to the booking desk where the original officer is waiting with her personal effects. He says, "I'm really sorry for this mistake. But, you see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping the guy off in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'What Would Jesus Do?' bumper sticker, the 'Follow Me to Sunday School' bumper sticker, and the chrome plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally I assumed you had stolen the car from a real Christian." . . . .

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