:: Download the 12.25.2016 Worship Study Guide and Sermon Notes
:: Download the 12.25.2016 Bulletin
:: Download the 12.25.2016 Sermon Audio
image :: Adoration of the Shepherds, Rembrandt (1646, Dutch)
Preparation for Worship on Christmas Day, Dec 25 :: Incarnation
“Seeing an infant,
I wonder how this could be the One who says,
‘Do not I fill heaven and earth?’
I see a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Is this the One who is clothed in the beautiful glory of unapproachable light?
Listen! He is crying.
Is this the One who thunders in the heavens making the angels lower their wings?
Yes, but He has emptied Himself in order to fill us.” (Guerric of Igny, d.1157)
Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Dec 25 include ::
:: Once In Royal David’s City (Cecil F. Alexander, 1848) [bandcamp track=870333771 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Joy to the World (Isaac Watts,1719) [bandcamp track=1535119972 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: O Come, All Ye Faithful (Latin hymn; att. to John Francis Wade, c.1735) [bandcamp track=3651513621 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Hark! The Hearld Angels Sing (Charles Wesley, 1739) [bandcamp track=3907215354 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Doxology (Thomas Ken, 1709) CHART [bandcamp track=2257784892 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]
:: Go! Tell It On the Mountain (Traditional African-American Spiritual)
:: Angels We Have Heard on High (Traditional French Carol)
Call to Worship :: Isaiah 52:8-10
The voice of Your watchmen—they lift up their voice;
together they sing for joy;
for eye to eye they see
the return of the LORD to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
you waste places of Jerusalem,
for the LORD has comforted His people;
He has redeemed Jerusalem.
The LORD has bared His holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God.
Confession of Sin :: based on Isaiah 60:1-3
“Arise, shine: for your Light has come.”
Heavenly Father, forgive us;
we have lived as if the Light of the World
had not overcome the darkness of our sin.
“And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”
Lord Jesus Christ, redeem us;
We confess that we sought our own glory
as we grew impatient for Your advent.
“For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you.”
Holy Spirit, renew us;
We have often grown accustomed to darkness,
and so hardened the true yearnings of our waiting hearts.
“And nations shall come to Your light,
and kings to the brightness of Your rising.”
Almighty God, You came to us in the fullness of time.
Draw us to live in Your presence and grace.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Words of Encouragement :: Isaiah 40:1-2
“Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.
“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned.”
New Testament Reading
New Testament Reading :: Colossians 1:15-21
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Gospel Reading :: Luke 2:8-11
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Sermon :: Philippians 3:1
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.