Welcome to our Online Worship Christmas Eve Service. The past four weeks of Advent we have been waiting with expectation and longing with anticipation for the coming of the Christ Child. We have spoken of the hope and peace and joy and love that accompanies His incarnation, the Word becoming flesh. Now, on this night before Christmas we ask that Christ would be born in our hearts anew. May we truly experience His presence in our lives as we worship Him.
Call to Worship
Opening Prayer
O God of love,you have brought us together tonight and blessed us with your very self. Open our eyes to the light of Christ which glows in the darkness of a world engulfed in apathy, pain and loss; a world separated from you. Speak to us now that we may hear the good news of your salvation. Bring us into the wonder of your presence. Fill us with that light and carry it out with us into our lives. Amen.
Breath of Heaven
Message
A Pandemic Christmas
Away in the Manger
Christmas Eve Prayer
Lord, on this Christmas Eve, we pause to prepare our hearts for a most beautiful celebration: Your birth and coming to earth as our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Clear our minds so we can focus on You and the joy You bring to us through Your gift of salvation. May the same thrill and anticipation that filled Mary, the chosen mother of Jesus, consume us and draw us close to You. May our spirits cry out, “Alleluia,” with the host of angels who first delivered the good news of great joy to humble, awe-struck shepherds that night so long ago—the news that would literally one day be heard around the world.
Help us remember and reflect on the awesome prophecies foretelling Your birth since the beginning of time. Give us eyes of faith to see on this side of the Cross what prophets chose to believe through promises and visions. Immanuel, God with Us, Prince of Peace, the Son of God, Messiah—may all that You are saturate our senses and fill our hearts with both gratitude and worship as we bow this evening before You and offer our prayer to You.
Empty us of sin—and anything that could inhibit our understanding or block the beautiful celebration of Your birth. We surrender all, that we may receive Your all this Christmas Eve night. Whether it’s one of us or an entire family, we want to prepare our hearts for You even as You are preparing a place for us to join You one day. May every thought, every desire, every word, and every gift-giving action this special night usher us into that place where You will meet us as we are. May the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to You and bring You the glory and honor You so deserve.
Just as the three Magi brought their offerings in celebration of Your birth, we bring You gifts, too: the declaration of our obedience and devotion to You, the quieting of our hearts and spirits, and the joyful overflow of worship and adoration. May this preparation night be a holy night as we once again receive and celebrate Your great gift to us this Christmas. In Your precious name, Amen.
O Holy Night
Benediction
We rejoice in God’s steadfast presence in our lives,
and in God’s unique presence in the life of Jesus of Nazareth—born of Mary, growing through childhood into an adult ministry,in all his life manifesting the peace, love, and justice of God;his voice undimmed by the centuries
his call and his promise as clear to us as it was to his disciples so long ago.
Come to us, Lord Jesus, Be born in us this night, in our hearts, our minds, our lives. May the light of your life be kindled in us,And lead us to the shining truth,of God with us, God for us, God in us. Amen.
