CAROL SERVICE

Leader: Introduction: who have lived in the dark will walk out into Welcome to our Service. the light, and they will be as happy as at We live in a world where we are the harvest festival. A baby is going to be surrounded by words: at the moment all born and he will become our King. People we see are signs like “Happy Christmas”, will find him as wise as Solomon and as “Season’s Greetings” or “Santa’s Grotto”. strong as God. They will call him the Words are our main means of ‘Prince of Peace.’ Take heart my people, communicating with others. It is small says your God. You have suffered enough. wonder then that is referred to in Make a road through the desert for your the gospels as the “Word of God”. God to come to you. Go tell it on the Jesus is the sign of God’s great love for mountains; ‘Look, your God is coming!’ all humankind. God wanted people to know that they were so loved. So God Everyone: O Come O Come Emmanuel! decided to take human form and become Emmanuel – ‘God With Us’. In these last O come, O come, Emmanuel few days before Christmas, we take And ransom captive Israel time out to reflect upon the coming of That mourns in lonely exile here Jesus. This Christmas Carol Service will Until the Son of God appear help us to reflect on that very first Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Christmas when Jesus came into the Shall come to thee, O Israel. world and encourage us to once again allow the light of Christ to shine through O come, Thou Day-Spring bright our lives this Christmas time. We listen Pour on our souls thy healing light; now to the Word of God through his Dispel the long night’s lingering gloom messengers, the prophets, the angels, And pierce the shadows of the tomb the shepherds, the wise men, Mary and Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Joseph… and we praise in song God’s Shall come to thee, O Israel. goodness and God’s great love for us. O come, thou Lord of David’s key! Narrator: Our story begins hundreds of Thy royal door fling wide and free; years after the death of Abraham, when Safeguard for us the heavenward road, the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, And bar the way to death’s abode. foretold that God would send a child to Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel establish the kingdom promised to Shall come to thee, O Israel. Abraham. Reader 2: An Angel visits Mary Reader 1: The prophet Isaiah foretells In the sixth month the angel was Jesus’ birth sent by God to a town in Galilee called God is going to give you a sign that he loves Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man you; there is a girl who is going to have a whose name was Joseph, of the house of baby, and she will call him ‘Emmanuel’ which David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he means ‘God With Us’. Then all the people came to her and said, Page | 1

‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with In me is manifest God’s greatness and his you.’ glory. Mary was a little troubled at these words and wondered what they could mean. The For those who are his friends and keep his angel said to her, laws as holy, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, God has chosen His mercy never ends and he exalts the you to be the mother of his Son. You will lowly. conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will call him Jesus.’ But by this power the great, the proud, the Mary said, ‘How can this be since I am not self-conceited, yet married?’ The kings who sit in state are humbled and The angel said; ‘The power of God can do defeated. all things. Nothing is impossible for God.’ Mary answered, He feeds the starving poor, he guards his ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me holy nation, as you have said.’ Fulfilling what he swore long since in And the Angel left her. revelation.

Narrator: Reflection: Then glorify with me the Lord who is my Mary was young and female – Saviour, characteristics that to the people of her One Holy Trinity for ever and for ever. day would make her seem unsuitable to be chosen by God for any major task. But God selected Mary for one of the most Reader 3: The Birth of Jesus in important acts of obedience he has ever demanded of anyone. You may feel that So Joseph set out from the town of your ability, experience, or age makes you Nazareth in Galilee and travelled up to an unlikely candidate for God’s service. Judea, to the town of David called This Christmas trust God and let God work Bethlehem, in order to be registered wonders through you. together with Mary, his betrothed who was with child. While they were there the time came for her to have her baby. She gave Everyone: Magnificat birth to her first son, wrapped him in God fills me with joy, Alleluia. swaddling clothes, and laid him in a His holy presence is my robe, Alleluia. for there was no room for them to stay in the inn. My soul now glorify the Lord who is my Saviour, Narrator: We listen as MARY ponders in Rejoice for who am I that God has shown her heart: me favour? My own beautiful, precious Son . . . All these months I’ve wondered what it would The world shall call me blessed and ponder be like to hold you in my arms and hug you on my story, tight . . . so many times I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to cope . . . people like

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Elizabeth really helped me, and Joseph – Jesus, I know you are a special child. I Where would we be without Joseph? . . . . don’t know what plans God has in mind for He was so worried about finding us a you, but I’ll be the best mother I can be. comfortable inn here in Bethlehem…. But Joseph and I will do our best for you. I we’re fine here, it’s warm and you’re safe… promise you that. Everyone: Away In A Manger Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, manger. After they had seen Him, they The Little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet spread the word about the child, and all head; who heard it were amazed. Meanwhile Mary The stars in the bright sky looked down treasured up all these things and pondered where he lay them in her heart. ’The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. Narrator: Reflection The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, What a birth announcement! The But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes: shepherds were terrified, but their fear I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from turned to joy as the angels announced the the sky, Messiah’s birth. First the shepherds ran to And stay by my bed side, ‘til; morning in see the baby; then they spread the Word. nigh. Jesus is your Messiah, your Saviour. This Christmas look forward to meeting Jesus in Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay prayer and in his Word each day. Discover Close by me forever, and love me, I pray: a Lord so wonderful that you can’t help Bless all the dear children in thy tender sharing your joy with others. care, And fit us for Heaven to live with thee there. Everyone: While Shepherds Watched… While shepherds watched their flocks by night, Reader 4: The Angels and the Shepherds All seated on the ground, There were shepherds living out in the The angel of the Lord came down, fields nearby, keeping watch over their And glory shone around. flocks at night. An angel of the Lord "Fear not," said he, for mighty dread appeared to them, and they were terrified. Had seized their troubled minds; But the angel said to them, “Do not be "Glad tidings of great joy I bring afraid. I bring you Good News. Today in To you and all mankind. the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Suddenly a "To you, in David's town, this day, great host appeared with the angel, Is born of David's line praising God .When the angels had left A Savior, who is Christ the Lord; them, the shepherds said to one another, And this shall be the sign: “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the The heavenly Babe you there shall find Lord has told us.” To human view displayed, So they hurried off and found Mary and All meanly wrapped in swaddling-clothes Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the And in a manger laid."

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we should have… Thus spake the seraph,--and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Everyone: Hark The Herald Angels Sing! Of angels, praising God, and thus Hark the herald angels sing Addressed their joyful song: "Glory to the newborn King! "All glory be to God on high, Peace on earth and mercy mild And to the earth be peace; God and sinners reconciled" Good will henceforth from Heaven to men Joyful, all ye nations rise Begin and never cease." Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem" Reader 5: You Shouldn’t Have Hark! The herald angels sing And is this all Christmas is really about: "Glory to the newborn King!" Useless presents we could well do without? Grumbles when we get what we don’t really Christ by highest heav'n adored want Christ the everlasting Lord! If that’s all it’s for and that’s how it is, Late in time behold Him come We might as well give up, admit it’s a swizz. Offspring of a Virgin's womb You shouldn’t have. Really, you shouldn’t Veiled in flesh the Godhead see have. Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with man to dwell But for all of the handkerchiefs, bath salts Jesus, our Emmanuel and soap, Hark! The herald angels sing There’s something about Christmas, "Glory to the newborn King!" something about hope, And a birth in a manager, a child in a stable Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Far from the shops and the over-full table, Hail the Son of Righteousness! Where God came among us from heaven Light and life to all He brings above Ris'n with healing in His wings And showed in that giving astonishing love. Mild He lays His glory by He shouldn’t have. Born that man no more may die Born to raise the sons of earth He shouldn’t have gone through all that for Born to give them second birth us - Hark! The herald angels sing The birth, the humility, the death on a "Glory to the newborn King!" cross – Yet he did, and everything’s changed by that life, Reader 6: Visitors Arrive From Eastern Bringing light out of darkness, peace out of Lands strife. After Jesus was born, during the time of He emptied himself in love beyond King Herod, wise men from the east came measure, to Jerusalem and asked. “Where is the one So that life in its fullness and all heaven’s who has been born King of the Jews? We treasure saw his star in the East and have come to worship him.” Page | 4

When King Herod heard this he was of Orient are; disturbed. He called together all his Bearing gifts we traverse afar; advisors and asked them where the Christ Field and fountain, moor and mountain, was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” Following yonder star. they replied. Then Herod called the Magi. He sent them O star of wonder star of night, to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a Star with royal beauty bright, careful search for the child, As soon as Westward leading still proceeding, you find Him, report to me, so that I too Guide us to thy perfect light. may go and worship Him.” They went on their way, and the star they Born a king on Bethlehem plain had seen in the east went ahead of them Gold I bring, to crown him again, until it stopped over the place where the King forever, ceasing never, child was. There they saw the child with Over us all to reign. His mother Mary and they bowed down and worshipped Him. They opened their Frankincense to offer have I, treasures and presented Him with gifts of Incense owns a Deity nigh. gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having Prayer and praising, all men raising, been warned in a dream not to go back to Worship him, God most high. Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Narrator: Reflection Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Far to the East of Israel, three kings see a Sealed in the stone-cold tomb. star, which leads them to worship Jesus in Bethlehem. When they saw the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. Reader 7: The First Christmas On entering the house, they saw the child It never snows at Christmas in that dry with Mary, his mother, and knelt down and and dusty land. paid him homage. Then, opening their Instead of freezing blizzards, there are treasure chests, they offered him gifts of palms and drifting sands, gold, frankincense and myrrh. The three And years ago a stable and a most unusual kings travelled thousands of miles to greet star the King of the Jews. When they finally And three wise men who followed it, by found Him they responded with joy, camel, not by car, worship and gifts. Today… we expect God while, sleepy on the quiet hills, a shepherd to find us. We expect God to give us gifts. gave a cry. Ask yourself: when was the last time that I He’d seen a crowd of angels in the silent took time out of my day to acknowledge starlit sky. God’s presence with me. Let us take the In the stable, ox and ass stood very still time this Christmas to look for Jesus and and calm to worship Him for who He is. And gazed upon the baby, safe and snug, in Mary’s arms. Everyone: We Three Kings

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And Joseph, lost in shadows, face lit by an We pray for God’s family, the Church, that oil lamp’s glow we might open our minds and hearts to the stood wondering, that first Christmas Day, love of God this Christmas. two thousand years ago. Lord hear us

We pray this Christmas that, like Mary, Everyone: O Holy Night people will be open- hearted and give to O holy night! The stars are brightly the many charities at home and abroad shining, which help the poor, so that others can It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth; have a happy Christmas. Long lay the world in sin and error pining Lord hear us ‘Til he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, Reader 9: Mary followed God’s will in For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! making a difficult decision. We pray that God will help us to when we are faced with Chorus difficult choices in our lives. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the Lord hear us angel voices’ O night divine! O night, when Christ was born. The shepherds experienced the joy of O night divine, O night, O night divine! Christmas. We pray that, through Jesus, all families may experience the joy of Led by the light of faith serenely beaming Christmas this year. with glowing hearts by His cradle we stand; Lord hear us So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming; Here came the wise men from the Orient Reader 10: travelled land; thousands of miles. We pray for all who are The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger, away from their home this Christmas. We In all our trials born to be our friend. pray especially for refugees and people who have been forced to flee their own Chorus country. May they enjoy the peace of Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the Christmas wherever they are. angel voices’ O night divine! Lord hear us O night, when Christ was born. O night divine, O night, O night divine! Christmas can be a difficult time for those

who have lost a loved one. We pray for the Leader: We will now have the Prayer of bereaved, and for the souls of those that the Faithful (Pause) we know and love who have died. We have no other light but Christ. He Lord hear us came down from heaven to show us the way to our heavenly Father. Let us pray Leader: Father, your Son scattered the to him with unlimited confidence as we darkness of this world and filled it with look forward to celebrating his birth. your glory. Grant that through His grace we may live as children of the Reader 8: (Read 2 prayers each) light and come at last to the kingdom Page | 6 where he lives and reigns with you and Shepherds quake at the sight the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and Glories stream from heaven afar ever, Amen. Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Saviour is born Christ, the Saviour is born Reader 11: Love Probably the reason , holy night we all go so haywire at Christmas time Son of God, love's pure light with the endless, unrestrained Radiant beams from Thy holy face and often silly buying of gifts With the dawn of redeeming grace is that we don't quite know Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth how to put our love into words. Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth "

Deep down inside we know that the best gifts Reader 12: A Christmas Prayer don't come from catalogues Lord, Jesus Christ, or shopping centres. You are the Son of God and Son of Mary. They don't come in brightly-coloured You are our brother, our friend, packages And Saviour of all peoples. or fancy envelopes and they're not sitting under a tree Fill our hearts with joy somewhere... As once again we celebrate your birth at Bethlehem. The best gifts come from the heart. Open our eyes They come when we look at each other and So that we may see you in the people say around us. 'You mean a lot to me' Open our lips or 'I'm so glad you're a part of my life' So that we may speak words that are kind. A gift like that Open our hands will never go out of style So that we may be generous to others. or be forgotten or be returned for a different size. Let us see you A gift like that can change the world. In the beauty of flowers and stars. Let us hear you In the whisper of the breeze. Everyone: Silent Night Let us feel you Silent night, holy night In the company of family and friends. All is calm, all is bright Let us know you Round yon Virgin Mother and Child In our times of prayer. Holy Infant so tender and mild Prince of peace, Sleep in heavenly peace Bless us this Christmas. Sleep in heavenly peace Amen.

Silent night, holy night! Leader: Final Prayer

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We thank you for all the joy and We wish you a merry Christmas happiness of Christmas. Amid all the and a happy new year! laughter and fun may we remember the baby who was born in a stable 2000 ! years ago, and who became poor so that we might become rich. Help us to follow Jingle bells, jingle bells his example and to bring the real , meaning of Christmas into the lives of Oh what fun it is to ride others who have nothing to celebrate. In a one-horse open sleigh, O Jingle bells, jingle bells Everyone: O Come All Ye Faithful Jingle all the way, O come all ye faithful, Oh what fun it is to ride Joyful and triumphant, In a one-horse open sleigh. O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Dashing through the snow Come and behold Him, In a one-horse open sleigh Born the King of Angels: Through the fields we go

Laughing all the way. Chorus: Bells on bob-tail ring O come let us adore him (x3), Making spirits bright Christ the Lord! What fun it is to ride and sing

A sleighing song tonight. Sing, choir of Angels,

Sing in exultation,

Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above:

‘Glory to God

In the highest’:

Chorus

Yea, Lord we greet Thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be glory given, Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing:

Chorus

Everyone: We Wish You A Merry Christmas! We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Good tiding we bring to you and your kin,

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