The Songs And Story Of Christmas

 

1     Opening prayer

 

2     Read: Luke 1:26-31

• Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
• Luke 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
• Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
• Luke 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
• Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
• Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

 

3     Sing: Hymn 205 'Once in Royal David's City' (v1 only)

Once in royal David's city

• Stood a lowly cattle shed,
• Where a mother laid her baby
• In a manger for his bed:
• Mary was that mother mild
• Jesus Christ her little child.

 

4     Read: Luke 2:3-5

• Luke 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
• Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
• Luke 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

 

5     Sing: Hymn 208 'O Little town of Bethlehem' (v1 only)

Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie

• Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
• Yet in the dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
• The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

 

6     Read: Luke 2:6-7

• Luke 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
• Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 

7     Sing: Hymn 206 'Away in a Manger'

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 in the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

• But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
• I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
• And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.

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.

 

8     Read: Luke 2:8-9

• Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
• Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 

9     Sing: Hymn 211 'While Shepherds watched'

While Shepherds watch their flocks by night

• All seated on the ground
• The angel of the Lord came down
• And glory shone arond
• "Fear not," said he for mighty dread
• had seized their troubled mind
• "Glad tidings of great joy I bring
• To you and all man-kind"

"To you in David's town this day

• Is born of David's line
• The Savior who is Christ the Lord
• And this shall me the sign
• The heav'n'ly babe you there shall find
• To human view displayed
• All meanly wrapped in swathing bands
• And in a manger laid"

Those spoke the seraph and forth-with

• Appeared a shining throng
• Of angels praising God who thus
• Addressed their joyful song
• "All glory be to God on high
• And on the earth be peace
• Goodwill hence-forth from heav'n to men
• Begin and never cease"

 

10     Read: Luke 2:10-12

• Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
• Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
• Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 

11     Sing: Hymn 207 'It came upon a midnight clear' (v1 only)

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, good will to men,
• From heaven's all gracious King!
• The world in solemn stillness lay
• To hear the angels sing.

 

12     Read: Luke 2:13-14

• Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
• Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 

13     Sing: Hymn 203 'Angels we have heard on high' (v1 only)

Angels We Have Heard On High

• Angels we have heard on high,
• Sweetly singing o'er the plains
• And the mountains in reply
• Echoing their joyous strains. Gloria:

Chorus:

• Gloria, In Excelsius Deo

 

14     Read: Luke 2:15-16

• Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
• Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 

15     Sing: Hymn 209 'Hark the herald angels sing'

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 th' angelic host proclaim,
• "Christ is born in Bethlehem."
• Hark! the herald angels sing,
• "Glory to the newborn King!

 

16     Read: Luke 2:17-18

• Luke 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
• Luke 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

 

17     Sing: Hymn 213 'The first Noel' (2 verses)

The first Noel, the angel did say,

• Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
• In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
• On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
• Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
• Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star

• Shining in the East, beyond them far;
• And to the earth it gave great light,
• And so it continued both day and night.
• Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
• Born is the King of Israel.

 

18     Read: Luke 2:19-20

• Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
• Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 

19     Sing: Hymn 204 'Silent night'

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.

Silent night, holy night!

• Shepherds quake at the sight.
• Glories stream from heaven afar
• Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
• Christ the Savior is born!
• Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, holy night!

• Son of God love's pure light.
• Radiant beams from Thy holy face
• With dawn of redeeming grace,
• Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
• Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.

 

20     Read: Matt 2:1-2

• Matt 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
• Matt 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

 

21     Sing: Hymn 210 'With wondering Awe' (verses 1 & 2)

With wondering awe the wisemen saw

• The star in heaven springing
• And with delight in peaceful night
• They heard the angels singing

Hosana, Hosana,

• Hosana to his name

By light of star they traveled far

• To seek the lowly manger
• A humble bed wherein was laid
• The wonderous little Stranger

Hosana, Hosana,

• Hosana to his name

 

22     Read: Matt 2:3-6

• Matt 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
• Matt 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
• Matt 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
• Matt 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

 

23     Sing: Hymn 212 'Far, far away' (v1 only)

Far, Far away on Judea's Plains

• Shepherds of old heard the joyous strains

Glory to God. Glory to God

• Glory to God in the highest
• Peace on earth, good will to men
• Peace on earth, good will to men!

 

24     Read: Matt 2:7-8

• Matt 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
• Matt 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

 

25     Sing: Hymn 202 'O Come all ye Faithful'

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!

O come, let us adore Him,

• O come, let us adore Him,
• O come, let us adore Him,
• Christ the Lord.

Sing, alleluia,

• All ye choirs of angels;
• O sing, all ye blissful ones of heav'n above.
• Glory to God -
• In the highest glory!

O come, let us adore Him,

• O come, let us adore Him,
• O come, let us adore Him,
• Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,

• Born this happy morning;
• Jesus, to Thee be the glory giv'n;
• Word of the Father,
• Now in the flesh appearing,

O come, let us adore Him,

• O come, let us adore Him,
• O come, let us adore Him,
• Christ the Lord.

 

26     Read: Matt 2:9-10

• Matt 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
• Matt 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

 

27     Sing: Hymn 201 'Joy to the World' (v1 only)

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;

• Let earth receive her King;
• Let every heart prepare Him room,
• and heaven and nature sing,
• and heaven and nature sing,
• and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

 

28     Read: Matt 2:11-12

• Matt 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
• Matt 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

 

29     Sing: Hymn 214 'I heard the bells of Christmas day'

I heard the bells on Christmas day

• Their old familiar carols play
• And mild and sweet the words repeat,
• Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how as the day had come,

• The belfries of all Christendom
• Had roll'd along th' unbroken song
• Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bow'd my head:

• "There is no peace on earth," I said,
• "For hate is strong, and mocks the song
• Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

• "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
• The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
• With peace on earth, good will to men."

'Til ringing, singing on its way,

• The world revolved from night to day,
• A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
• Of peace on earth, good will to men!

 

30     Closing Prayer