Advent/Christmas Prayer Service 2000
1. Sign of the Cross
2.Hymn… Come, Come, Come to the Manger, (chorus only 3 times)
3.Advent Wreath
Child 1.
Advent is a time when we prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. We make a
special effort to turn away from sin and selfishness and we begin to live like Jesus by
loving God and loving others.
Child 2.
The ring of evergreen branches symbolizes everlasting life because God is without beginning or end.
The purple candles remind us to be sorry for the times we have failed to show love. The rose candle tells us that Jesus is very near. The white candle symbolizes the coming and birth of Jesus.
As we light the candles on the Advent Wreath let us pray in silence for the light of Christ to come into our hearts this Christmas. We remember that first Christmas long ago when Jesus the Son of God became man (purple and rose candles are lit).
Jesus come into our hearts this Christmas and show us how to love you and love others.
Priest.
Let us listen to a reading from the prophet Isaiah.
In this reading Isaiah tells us that Jesus is like the sun that fills the world with daylight. He fills the world with happiness, goodness and joy.
Child 4
A reading from the prophet Isaiah:
In the beginning the world was filled with darkness and it was black as night. But God came and changed all that. He filled the world with light instead, just like the sun that shines in the sky every morning.
The word of the Lord.
It is advent. Someone is expected. Everything must be made ready for Him. He brings love, joy and peace into the world. Who is He? His name is Jesus. Let us welcome Him {white candle is lit}.
Narrator 1 The story that we tell you now is not a story new, of how Our Blessed
Saviour came to save both me and you. From heav’n to earth Lord Jesus
came, all in a stable bare, to teach all people how to live, and show each other care; and so we hope that you will take our message to your heart, and listen now as we unfold this story from the start.
Narrator 2 Then the angel left Mary. Some months later, the Roman Emperor gave an order that a census of all people should be taken. This meant that Joseph and Mary had to travel from Nazareth to the city of Bethlehem to have their names written down. It was a hard journey, especially for Mary.
Narrator 3 At last, Joseph and Mary reached Bethlehem, only to find the city crowded because of the census. They could find no place to rest, until one kindly inn-keeper allowed them to use his stable. It was there that Jesus was born, and Mary his mother wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger.
Narrator 4 At the time that Jesus was born, there were shepherds on a hillside near Bethlehem, watching over their sheep. Suddenly, the angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. The shepherds were frightened, but the angel said: ‘Do not be afraid, I bring you news of great joy. Today, a Saviour has been born to you in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing: Gloria in Excelsis Deo.
Narrator 5 Now when the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another: ‘Let us go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has made known to us.’ So they made their way to Bethlehem.
Narrator 6 When the shepherds saw the infant Jesus, they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things in her heart. And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard.
Narrator 7 After Jesus had been born, some wise men came from the East. ‘Where is the Infant King of the Jews?’ they asked, ‘we saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.’ After they had visited King Herod, they followed the star, and were led to Jesus. When they saw the child with his mother Mary, they fell on their knees and worshipped him.
Narrator 8 The rest of the story of Jesus is well-known, but the reason for telling our story today is to remind ourselves of what Christmas really means, and that in all our celebrations we remember the true message of the birth of Jesus.
They live in poverty and sadness
They live in trouble and darkness
Let us welcome Jesus into their lives and our lives.
Baby Jesus soft and small,
You won’t remember this at all –
Lying in a manger bed
With straw tucked in beneath your head:
Shepherds coming in with sheep
To watch you waking from your sleep;
Of lanterns shining through the night.
Baby Jesus soft and small,
You won’t remember this at all.
Priest:
We have listened to the Christmas Story once again. We thank you God for the best Christmas present of all…Your son Jesus who was born in a stable to save us. That is why we will celebrate Christmas Day. Help us to share the love and joy of Christmas with others. Amen.
Carol: Once in Royal David’s city
| COME TO THE MANGER Come, come, come to the manger, Children, come to the children’s king; Sing, sing chorus of angels, Stars of morning o’er Bethlehem sing. He leaves all his glory behind, To be born and to die for mankind; With grateful beasts his cradle chooses, Thankless men his love refuses, Lord have pity and mercy on me. To the manger of Bethlehem come, To the Saviour Emmanuel’s home. The heavenly hosts above are singing Set the Christmas bells a-ringing. Lord have pity and mercy on me. MARY Mary will you take this baby boy? Mary will you take this baby boy? Will you fill the world with love and joy? Will you take this baby boy? Mary will you go to the little town? Mary will you go to the little town? Will you find a manger to lay him down? Will you go to the little town? Mary will you show your little son? Mary will you show your little son? To the kings on whom the star has shone? Will you show your little son? Mary will you tell him we love him so? Mary will you tell him we love him so? Will you tell him we would like to show That we love him, love him so? |
IN
A MANGER AWAY Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the Little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; The stars in the bright 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 till morning is nigh. ONE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY Once in royal David’s city, Stood a lowly cattle shed. Where a maiden laid her baby With a manger for his bed. Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her only Child. He came down to earth from Heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, And his shlr s a stable And his cradle was a stall. With the poor and mean and lowly Lived on earth our Saviour holy. |
LITTLE SON OF GOD Going lonely up and down, Weary searching all the town Was there none to let Thee in? Were hearts windows dark with sin? Little Son of God! Hast Thou found no candle bright, Beaming welcome thro’ the night? Has Thou met no kindly word No soft sigh in pity heard Little Son of God! Come! Behold my open door, See I spread my humble store Enter in this Christmas night Thou shalt be my Love, my light, Little Son of God. Take my treasures – they are Thine, O Thou Little Guest Divine Rest Thee in my waiting heart Nevermore shalt Thou depart Little Son of God. |
SILENT NIGHTSilent 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 Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born. Silent night, Holy night, Son of God loves pure light, Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord at thy birth, Jesus Lord at thy birth. |
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| HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING | ||
| Hark the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinner reconciled; Joyful all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies, With the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King. |
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace, Hail the sun of righteousness, Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth. Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King. |
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