Dear Friends,
On Christmas Eve we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Light and Redeemer of the world. We have been preparing for his advent for the last four weeks in anticipation of the kind of hope, peace, joy and love that only Jesus can provide for us. Please join us as we light the Christ candle and celebrate in reverent worship and adoration of our Emmanuel, “God with us”.
Our Christmas Eve readings are taken from the Old Testament book, Isaiah, and the New Testament books, Luke and Matthew. We look back to the prophet, Isaiah, and remember God’s covenantal promises given to Israel (and ultimately to the world) concerning the birth of the Messiah, “the Root of Jesse”. Then, continuing from Matthew and Luke, we see in the fullness of time (according to God’s perfect and appointed time in history), God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law (Galatians 4: 4-5a).
What hope, what joy, what love, and what assurance we have in Jesus! Let us join our hearts together this Christmas Eve, and sing the true meaning of Christmas, “Oh, holy night, the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices! Oh, night divine, oh, night when Christ was born!” (O Holy Night, written by Placide Cappeau and composed by Adolphe Adam).
Order Of Service
Prelude
Call to Worship
Lighting of the candle of Hope
1st Reading: Isaiah 11: 1-9
Choir Anthem: “In the bleak mid-winter”
Hymn 122: “Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel” (vs 2 & 3 en Français)
Prayer of adoration
Lighting of the candle of Peace
2nd Reading: Luke 2: 8-14
Hymn 139: “Hark! the herald angels sing” (vs 2 en Français)
Children’s Time
Lighting of the candle of Joy
3rd Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12
A Christmas Declaration
Hymn 136: “The first nowell”
Lighting of the candle of Love
4th Reading: Luke 2: 1-7 (lecture en Français – English on the screen)
Choir Anthem: “The Sussex carol”
Litany: “Away in a manger”
Offering & Offertory
Hymn 154: Silent night
Lighting of the Christ candle
Hymn 153: “Joy to the world”
Benediction
Postlude