Worship for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2021

Within this page • Introduction, Hymn 1 • Collect, Old Testament reading, Psalm
Epistle, Hymn 2 • Gospel, Sermon • Creed • Prayers • Blessing, Hymn 3 • Voluntary

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Introduction

Rev Sydney Maitland

Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly, fill us with his joy and peace! Our online Liturgy of the Word for Christmas Day includes the music from fellow Christians who have shared their gifts with the world via YouTube. Do join them in song wherever you are! We open our worship with hymn 42, While Shepherds Watched …

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Hymn 42

While shepherds watched (words and music) | Virtual choir of the Nene Crossings Benefice, Northamptonshire

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Collect

Almighty God, you wonderfully created and yet more wonderfully restored our human nature. May we share the divine life of your Son Jesus Christ, who humbled himself to share our humanity, and now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

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Old Testament Reading

Isaiah 52: 7-10

Click Bible links on this page to read the text at Bible Gateway. Once there, click to hear the full chapter read by David Suchet.

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Epistle

Hebrews 1: 1-4

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Hymn 30

O come all ye faithful (words and music) | BBC Big Sing, Royal Albert Hall

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Gospel

John 1: 1-14

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Sermon by Rev Sydney Maitland

Letting Jesus out of the manger

Click link for full text.

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The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father. Through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son, he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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Prayers

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer | Anglican Cycle of Prayer | Barnabas Fund Prayer Diary

• Pray for the world and its people, for those who suffer and those in need …

• Pray for Church and its members, especially Brian S, Jenny M, Douglas N, Catriona M, Stephen M, Andrew H and Rosemary G.

• Pray for the departed, especially those whose year’s mind falls this month: Alan Colvin, Patrick Lauderdale, Margaret and William Marshall, Robert Murray, Neil Ross, George Staines …

• The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians:

‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.‘

And so let us each bring our own prayers, petitions and thanksgivings to the Lord …

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O God, whose will it is that all should find salvation and come to know the truth: receive the prayers and petitions which we offer in faith and love; through him who gave proof of your purpose, and who sacrificed himself to win freedom for all mankind, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Blessing

Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly, fill us with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always.

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