Christingle 2020 Carol: Once in Royal David’s City

Once in royal David's city, He came down to earth from heaven, Stood a lowly cattle shed, Who is God and Lord of all, Where a mother laid her baby And His shelter was a stable, In a manger for His bed And His cradle was a stall; Mary was that mother mild, With the poor and meek and lowly, Christ her little child. Lived on earth our Savior holy.

For He is our child-hood's pattern, Day by day like us He grew, He was little, weak, and helpless, Tears and smiles like us He knew,

And He feeleth for our sadness, And He shareth in our gladness. The Story

About 2000 years ago in a special baby was born. The Angel told Mary she would have a son. He would be called Jesus and would be the Son of God. Mary was to be married to Joseph. Joseph and Mary travelled to Bethlehem to be counted. Jesus was born in a stable and slept in a manger. There was no room at the inn. Shepherds came and worshipped him. Wise men from the East followed a new star. They worshipped the baby Jesus and brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. God came to earth as a tiny baby to be with us and guide us.

Jesus is the Light of the World. 1

Carol: Silent Night

Silent night, holy night Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Son of God love's pure light Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child Radiant beams from Thy holy face Holy infant so tender and mild With dawn of redeeming grace Sleep in heavenly peace Jesus Lord, at Thy birth Sleep in heavenly peace Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.

The Christingle Story

“The Christingle Story is about a Grandpa and three children who lived in Germany and were very poor. It was , the children wanted to take a gift to Church for Jesus.

One child found an old mouldy orange and put a candle in it. The second child gave her red hair ribbon to make it look pretty. The youngest found sticks, put a few sweets on and fastened the ribbon round the orange.

It was Christmas Eve, they all went to the church. The children were very nervous. The other children laughed at the funny orange with the sticks. The children gave the orange to the priest. He was delighted. He thought the gift was wonderful. It told the Christmas Story.

The orange is the world God created. The red ribbon reminds us Jesus died for us. The sticks and sweets are the four seasons and God’s provision. The candle reminds us Jesus is the Light of the World. God loves us all very much. 2 The priest asked the eldest child to light the candle.”

Prayers We say short prayers to thank God for all he gives us. We ask God to look after people who are sick, hungry or sad in any way.

At the end of each short prayer the leader says: “Jesus, Light of the World”

We reply: “Shine in the darkness”

At the end of our prayers the leader prays :

“Lord Jesus as we light this candle, kindle a flame in these children's hearts”

We light the Christingles and sing the carol: Away in a manger Away in a manger, no crib for his bed The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head The stars in the sky looking down where he lay The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing the baby awakes The little Lord Jesus no crying he makes I love Thee, Lord Jesus look down from the sky And stay by my side until morning is nigh

Be near me, Lord Jesus I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray Bless all the dear children In Thy tender care And take us to Heaven to live with Thee there

We blow out the Christingles

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We say a Final Prayer

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns Joy to the world! the Lord is come Let us our songs employ Let earth receive her King While fields and floods, rocks, hills and Let ev'ry heart prepare him room plains And heav’n and nature sing Repeat the sounding joy And heav’n and nature sing Repeat the sounding joy And heav’n and heav’n and nature Repeat, repeat the sounding joy sing

He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love And wonders of His love And wonders, and wonders of His love

HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SAFE NEW YEAR

We hope you are able to enjoy your own Christingle Service at home or join us on Zoom on Christmas Eve at 4 o’clock. For an invitation please mail [email protected]. Everyone is very welcome. It is a new venture!

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