Christmas Eve Eucharist, Lessons and Carols, Year A

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Isaiah 9:2-7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light
Psalm 96 Sing to the Lord a new song
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared
Luke 2:1-14 The birth of Jesus
[And see other possible readings in the Order of Service, below]

Order of Service for midnight Eucharist, with a service of lessons and carols.

The Gathering of the People of God

CALL TO WORSHIP
I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the essiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours! Luke 2:14

LIGHTING THE ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS CANDLES
[A family group or individual comes to the table and one reads:]
After counting the weeks of Advent we have come to Christmas Day.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. Isaiah 9:2
[Four coloured candles are lit first and then the white candle, and reading continues.]
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. John 1:9
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

THE PEACE: SHARING THE LIGHT [With words, "The peace of the Lord be with you", the candles of the people are lit from the Christ candle and lights in the church are dimmed]

HYMN Silent night, holy night. AHB 236 TIS 311 [While the light is passed]

PRAYER OF ADORATION
CONFESSION
Merciful God, our Maker and our Judge,
We have sinned against you in thought, word and deed:
We have not loved you with our whole heart,
We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves;
We repent, and are sorry for all our sins.
Father, forgive us.
Strengthen us to love and obey you in newness of life;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
.... Christ's word of grace to us: your sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God

Lessons and Carols

EXPECTATIONS OF THE OLD COVENANT

Isaiah 9:2-7 a son is given to us ... Prince of Peace

HYMN Hark the herald angels sing AHB 227 TIS 303

Luke 1:68-79 The song of Zechariah (The Benedictus) [Group]

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a mighty saviour for us in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.

Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us
that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

HYMN The King of Glory comes [verses 1,4 and 5] AHB 212 TIS 279

THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW COVENANT

Luke 1:26-38 The announcement of the coming birth of Jesus

HYMN The angel Gabriel from heaven came [verses 1 and 4] AHB 222 TIS 302

Luke 2:1-20 The birth of Jesus; the angels and the shepherds

HYMN While shepherds watched their flocks by night [verses 1,3 and 6] AHB 223 TIS 299

OFFERING [Choir: The day that Christ was born on]
DEDICATION AND PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
COLLECT
Father, you make this holy night radiant with the splendour of Jesus Christ our light. We welcome him as Lord, the true light of the world. Bring us to eternal joy in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

John 1:1-14 The Word became flesh

The Lord's Supper

HYMN O come all you faithful [verses 1, 2 and 6] AHB 228 TIS 304

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING [remain standing]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Thanks and praise ......
..... choirs of angels and the whole creation in the eternal hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
We thank you ....

[The great prayer of thanksgiving continues, recalling God's goodness in caring for his people, the life and saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ, how he commanded his disciples to remember him with the bread and the wine, and we pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit on us and what we do.]

THE LORD'S PRAYER
BREAKING THE BREAD
LAMB OF GOD
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the world, grant us peace.

COMMUNION [Choir: Infant holy, infant lowly AHB 225 TIS 292; Unto us a boy is born AHB 218 TIS 293]
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

The Sending Forth of the People of God

HYMN Joy to the world AHB 224 TIS 268
WORD OF MISSION
BLESSING
DISMISSAL
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.