Christmas Eve

December 24, 2025 2 pm

Prelude: Four Familiar Nativity Melodies by Alice Jordan, Away in a Manger--arr. Weldon Whipple; O Little Town of Bethlehem--arr. Weldon Whipple

opening announcements

Opening Acclamation

Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

Collect of the Day

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Opening Hymn: #83 O Come All Ye Faithful (vv1,3-4)

The Word of God

The Gospel:  Luke 2:1-14

Gospeller: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

Gospeller: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Homily: The Rev. Todd Blackham

Prayers of the People

On this most Holy Night, O Father, we give you heartfelt thanks, for giving us the matchless gift of your Son––Jesus––born for the salvation of the world.

We thank you for establishing your Church, that nations would stream to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

We pray that, amid all the injustice, unrest, and brokenness of this world, our confidence would be renewed in the Prince of Peace––who has come to set all things right under his most gracious rule.

We pray for the sick and the suffering, the destitute and discouraged, the homeless and the homebound, the lonely and languishing, any in need or trouble that we remember before you now:

May they sense your presence, Emmanuel, God with us, Savior in suffering.

And we thank you for all the blessings of this life, including those we name now:

May we acknowledge you as the giver of all good gifts, the source of life itself, and bestower of every blessing.

Almighty God, you have come among us in great humility. Accept our prayers as we lift them to your throne. Grant that we may work and witness to your kingdom here as in heaven. Amen.

The Holy Communion

The Peace & Offertory Sentence

Through Christ let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his Name. But do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:14, 15

Offertory Music: O Little Town Of Bethlehem

Verse 1

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

Verse 2

For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep
The angels keep their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And peace to men on earth

Verse 3

How silently how silently
The wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven
No ear may hear His coming
But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive Him still
The dear Christ enters in

Verse 5

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel

Doxology

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Because you gave Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be born for us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant breaks Bread; silence is kept.

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

Communion Music

What Child Is This (Greensleeves)

Verse 1

What Child is this who laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping
This this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste haste to bring Him laud
The Babe the Son of Mary

Verse 2

Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding
Good Christian fear for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading
Nails spear shall pierce Him through
The cross be borne for me for you
Hail hail the Word made flesh
The Babe the Son of Mary

Verse 3

So bring Him incense gold and myrrh
Come peasant king to own Him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
Raise raise the song on high
The Virgin sings her lullaby
Joy joy for Christ is born
The Babe the Son of Mary

Silent Night

Silent 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,
Heav'nly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth

Post-Communion Prayer

Let us pray.

God our Father,
on this night you have made known to us again
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;
confirm our faith and fix our eyes on him
until the day dawns and Christ the Morning Star rises in our hearts.
To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

The Blessing

May Almighty God, who sent his Son to take our nature upon him, bless you in this holy season, scatter the darkness of sin, and brighten your heart with the light of his holiness. Amen.

May God, who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior’s birth, fill you with joy, and make you heralds of the Gospel. Amen.

May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to earth and earth to heaven, give you his peace and favor. Amen.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

Recessional Hymn: #87 Hark the Herald Angels Sing Verses 1,2,3

Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem!

Refrain

Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail the incarnate Deity.
Pleased as man with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Refrain

Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth,
Risen with healing in his wings,
light and life to all he brings,
hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Refrain

The Dismissal

Jesus said: “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Let us then go in the peace of Christ this holy night and let the light of hope burn bright within us.
Thanks be to God!

Postlude: Good Christian Men, Rejoice! arr. Alice Jordan

Christmas Flower Dedications

In remembrance of Catherine (Kaki) Kolb. June 16, 1947 - January 26, 2013 by Graham Kolb.

In loving memory of my wonderful husband, Lee, my parents, Donna & Ralph Ritter, my stepson, Brent, my brother-in-law, Frank, my sister-in-law, Kelly Ritter, and my niece, Hailey Ritter by Gail Egbert.

In Loving memory of my Grace-filled father, William C. Jackson by Jan Klima by Jan Klima.

In remembrance of my love, Tim Ulon by Meredith Ulon.

In remembrance of my beloved husband, Ken, and deceased members of our Extended Family Life Group: Roger Dailey, Kathy Freese, Charlie Green, Catherine Groton, Karl Wesselhoeft,Ursula Wesselhoeft, and Dick Wise by Fran Berry.

In remembrance of Jim and Sue Barcus. With love, Kevin and Jennifer Stromberg Family.

In remembrance of my parents, Virginia & Owen Russell, Jr; my brothers, Phillip (Buddy) & Robert (Robin) Russell; and grandnephew, George Allen Russell, Jr. by Fran Berry.

In remembrance of Jim Stromberg. With love, Kevin and Jennifer Stromberg Family.

In celebration of the birth of our lord Jesus by The Bowermaster Family.

In remembrance of Corny and John Kerr by The Stein Family.

In Thanksgiving for Ian, Megan and Moira McRae by Cyndy McRae.

In honor of our parents by Matt and Erin Potts.

In honor of our children and grandchildren by Matt and Erin Potts.

In loving remembrance of The Rev. Deacon Catherine Groton by the Groton Family.

In celebration of my wonderful family by Judy Boyles.

In loving memory of Tom Davidson by Joanne Davidson.

In remembrance of my beloved Paul and my sister Becky and mom Betty. Never forgotten - always remembered in our hearts. Debbie Jonas.

In Thanksgiving for my parents, Don and Jean Ann Gage.

In remembrance of Karl Wesselhoeft by Kris Kenyon.

In remembrance of our loving parents Max & Edith Rush and Elden & Harriet Ann Walker by Rick & Betsy Rush.

The Devanny family in Thanksgiving of Christ Church! Happy Birthday Jesus!