Director Derek Breshears

Director Once in royal David’s city, stood a lowly cattle shed, Derek Breshears where a mother laid her Baby in a manger for His bed. Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little Child. Rehearsal Accompanist He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, Mary McKinney and His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall. With the poor, the scorned and lowly lived on earth, our Savior holy. INSTRUMENTALISTS PRAYER: Let us prepare our hearts to hear God’s Word. Once more, Deb Hollis – Piano let us hear of His plan to redeem us from darkness by sending the Bettina Yost – Violin light of His Son. Through the reading of the Word may we, like the Joshua Facello – Violin shepherds, hear the angels. In our hearts, may we also journey Lindsay Wilson – Cello through Bethlehem and see the Child in the manger. But first we pray Robert Carmichael – Trumpet for this Church and for those we are called to serve. We ask for Dave Davis – Trumpet hearts of goodwill in our families and among our neighbors, in our Jeffrey Neese – Trombone communities and among nations, that we may truly have peace on earth. Amen.

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, NARRATORS O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem! Come and behold Him, born the King of angels! 9 am 11 am O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Opening Prayer Ken Hall Ken Hall O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! Lesson 1 Harold Rogerson Grant Wacker Lesson 2 Vimala Rajendran Jill Nenninger Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation. Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above. Lesson 3 Pat Skiver Katherine Wacker Glory to God, all glory in the highest! Lesson 4 Lyn Dickinson Doug James O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Lesson 5 Elizabeth Nuttall Kari Hall O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! Lesson 6 Ingrid Hall Don Click (Congregation joins in for verse 3 printed on next page.) Lesson 7 David Nuttall Pete Hand Lesson 8 Griffin Ross Britt Crewse Lesson 9 Brad Inman Brad Inman Prayer & Blessing Ken Hall Ken Hall

A CHRISTMAS PROCESSIONAL

PRAYER Just before twilight, as the evening breeze began to blow, Adam and Eve heard God walking in the garden. Knowing they were naked, Almighty God, as we have heard the reading of Your Word, we they were afraid and hid from Him among the trees, but God called remember and give thanks. Remembering that You sent Light into out to Adam, “Where are you?” our world, we give thanks that we never need to live in darkness. Remembering that You sent Your Son as one of us, we give thanks And Adam answered, “When I heard you, I hid because I was naked.” that through Him, we have become Your children. Remembering Then God asked him, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you Your great love and mercy, with the angels we too give thanks and disobeyed me by eating from the forbidden tree?” praise. Amen. Adam replied, “The woman you gave me as a companion, she offered A CHRISTMAS RECESSIONAL me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.”

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains Then God asked Eve, “What have you done?” and the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strain. Gloria in excelsis, Deo! And Eve replied, “The snake tricked me into eating this fruit.”

Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth. God turned to the snake and said, “Because you have done this, I will Ye who sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth. curse you and you will be despised above all living things. For the rest Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn of your days, you will crawl on your stomach and eat the dust of the King. earth. You and your offspring will be lifelong enemies of the woman and her children. You will bite them on the heel and they will strike (Congregation joins in singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”) you on the head.”

To the woman, God said, “I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”

And to Adam, God said, “Because you disobeyed me, I will curse the dust from which you were made. Only by the sweat of your labor will the ground produce enough food for you to eat. For the rest of your life, you will struggle to make a living out of the dust, and when you die, to the same dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:8-19)

A FATHER’S LOVE, A PERFECT ROSE The first lesson: The Fall of Adam From the Book of Genesis Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the world began to be, darkness of human existence. But the darkness was so heavy that He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending, He. people were unable to see the Light, even though it continued to shine despite the darkness. Lo, how a Rose e’re blooming, from tender stem has sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming as men of old have sung. So God sent a man named John to tell people about the Light, that they might know about it and believe in it. John was not the Light Of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see, himself; he was sent to announce the Light. The one perfect Light, evermore and evermore! that gives its light to everyone, was coming into the world. When He It came a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, came to the world, a world He Himself had made, it did not recognize when half-spent was the night. Him. He came to His own people, the ones He made, and was not welcomed by them. But those who did welcome Him into their lives This is Whom the godly prophets chanted of in one accord; became children of God, like Him. Even though they were not God’s Whom the voices of the ancients promised in their faithful word. flesh and blood children, He welcomed them into His family. But Christ, who was the Word, became flesh and blood, like us, and lived Isaiah ‘twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind. with us. We saw His Light, the Light of the Father shining through the With Mary, we beheld it, the virgin mother kind. Son, showing us His grace and truth. (John 1:1-14) And the Rose, the world’s Redeemer, spread the fragrance of God’s This is the Word of God for the people of God. grace, evermore, evermore, evermore! PEOPLE: Thanks be to God. God gave to men a Savior, when half-spent was the night.

Lo, how a Rose e’re blooming, of the Father’s love begotten. A CHRISTMAS THANKSGIVING For the silent night, for the midnight clear, For the mother’s arms that held you near, The second lesson: God’s covenant with Abraham For the father’s hands that caught your tears, we thank You, Lord.

From the Book of Genesis For the angel song, for the star so bright, For the shepherds waking to the light, The angel of the Lord called to Abraham, “Because you have obeyed For the miracles of Christmas night, we thank You, Lord. God and were willing to sacrifice your only son, the Lord makes this solemn promise: ‘ Your descendants will outnumber the stars in the For every glory, each marvel sublime, heavens and the grains of sand upon the shores. And through you For every wonder, for love divine, and your children, all nations of the earth will be blessed.’” For every miracle, for every sign, we thank You for them all. (Genesis 22: 15-18) Thank You, Lord.

For each Gloria! For the music of Kings! For the joy that made the angels sing, For the grace that changes everything, we thank You, Lord. A CHRISTMAS INVITATION

Star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

Come ye faithful, one and all to hear the angels sing Gather at the manger to praise the newborn King. Shout for joy! Allelu! Let your spirits be renewed. Come and see all the glory, all the glory of the Lord. Come and see all the glory of the Lord!

Come and walk beneath the star that beams to show the way, Leave behind your shadows, for Christ has come today. Shout for joy! Allelu! Let your spirits be renewed. Come and see all the wonder and the glory of the Lord. Come and see all the glory of the Lord.

Arise and shine! Your light has come, For God has sent the Promised Son. Arise and shine! Your light has come. Declare the works that the Lord has done Sing, shout, be jubilant all the earth. Sing of our merciful King’s birth.

All Christians now rejoice with heart and soul and voice. Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today. Christ has opened heaven’s door and we are blessed forevermore. Christ is born today!

The ninth lesson: The mystery of the Incarnation From the Gospel According to John

In the very beginning, the One called the Word existed. This Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. In the beginning, the Word and God were one. Through Him, everything came into being; nothing came into being without Him. In Him was Life and He gave life to everything He made. His life was like a Light, shining in the The third lesson: The birth of Christ foretold People lift your hearts in praise for the King has come today From the Book of Isaiah Son of David born to save. Sing unto the Lord Celebrate in one accord. Jubilate Deo, Deo. The people who walk in darkness will see a great Light, a Light that People come and raise your song. Lift your voices to the sky. will shine on everyone, even those who live in the shadow of death. Let the praise be lifted high. Sing unto the Lord. A Child will be born to us, a Son given who will be our leader. We will Let the earth as one reply Jubilate Deo! call Him Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Sing Noel! Prince of Peace. His kingdom and the peace it brings will last forever and He will rule with justice and goodness. The eighth lesson: The scholar’s pilgrimage to the Child (Isaiah 9:2, 6-7) From the Gospel According to Matthew

CELTIC ADVENT CAROL After Jesus was born, a group of scholars traveled from the East to Jerusalem. Be not afraid, I bring you good news. The Savior is coming in glory to you. “Where can we find the One who has been born King of the Jews?” He shall be called “God’s Holy One.” they asked. “A star in the Eastern skies announced His birth and we Will you be ready? Will you be ready for Him when He comes? have followed it so that we might worship Him.”

Chorus: Light the candle, Jesus is coming. When Herod, who was king, heard this, he was alarmed. He brought Open your hearts, prepare ye the way. the chief priests and religious teachers together and asked them, Sleepers awake for soon is the dawning. “Where to the scriptures say that the Messiah will be born?” He will turn night into glorious day, They answered that the prophet Micah foretold that this would take He will turn night into day. place in Bethlehem. When he heard this, Herod asked the Eastern Be of good cheer and put away fear, scholars when they first saw the star. the Light now is coming to dry every tear. Then he sent them to Bethlehem saying, “When you have found this Love now with us, God’s perfect Son. new King, let me know so that I may go and worship Him.” Will you be ready? Will you be ready for Him when He comes? (Chorus) So the scholars continued their pilgrimage, following the star. When it stopped over the place where the Child was, they were overjoyed. Come, come, Emmanuel. They entered the house and saw the Child with His mother, and they Come now and ransom Isreal. kneeled before Him, offering gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Come, come, Emmanuel. But having been warned in a dream not to report back to Herod, they Jesus is coming. Jesus is coming. Could He be coming today? returned home by a different way. (Chorus) (Matthew 2:1-12) Light the candle, Jesus is coming. Jesus is coming. The seventh lesson: The shepherd’s journey to the Come, ye thankful people come, play the pipe and beat the drum. manger Tell the world what God has done. Sing unto the Lord. Let the world as one rejoice! From the Gospel According to Luke The fourth lesson: The peace of Christ foretold The night in the hills surrounding Bethlehem, shepherds tended their sheep. An angel of the Lord came to them and a bright light From the Book of Isaiah surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel said to them, “Do From the ancient roots of David’s family tree, a shoot will spring up, a not be afraid, I am not here to harm you, but to bring you good news, new Branch that will bear fruit. This Branch will blossom with the news of joy for the entire world. A Child has been born in Bethlehem wisdom, power, and understanding that come from obedience to God. tonight, a Child who will be a Savior to you, who is the Messiah. This is how you will know Him; you will find Him wrapped in cloth, sleeping He will not be influenced by outward appearance or unreliable in a manger.” testimony, but will exercise fairness over the poor and needy and bring justice to those who break His law. Suddenly many more angels appeared and they praised God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest part of heaven! Peace to all on earth who There will come a day when the wolf and the lamb will live together find favor with Him!” peacefully, a time when the leopard will sleep next to the goat and the lion beside the deer, and a little child will care for them. When the angels left, the shepherds said to each other, “Let us go to Bethlehem to see this Child.” The cow and the bear will eat side-by-side and their young will lie down together. The lion will no longer be a predator, but will eat straw And they found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger, like the ox. Children will play near the snake’s den and not be in just as the angel said. danger. No creature will harm or be harmed for creation will overflow (Luke 2:8-16) with the ways of God. A NOEL CELEBRATION (Isaiah 11:1-3a, 4a, 6-9)

Alleluia, alleluia. Sing Noel! Every nation, all creation, Sing Noel! Angels shout with voices strong in an everlasting song. For this day the world rejoices. Give your praise and lift your voices. Sing noel!

While by our sheep we watched at night, Glad tidings brought an angel bright. How great our joy! Joy, Joy, Joy. Praise we the Lord in heav’n on high!

The fifth lesson: The angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary MY SOUL DOTH MAGNIFY THE LORD From the Gospel According to Luke On that day forever blessed, when the virgin full of grace, God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazereth with a message by the Holy Ghost conceiving, held the Savior of our race. for a young girl. The girl’s name was Mary and she was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. My soul doth magnify the Lord, my heart rejoices forevermore, For God has chosen me to sing a mother’s song to heaven’s King. The angel greeted her with these words, “You have been highly Lord, let thy will in me be done and I will carry Your treasured One. regarded by God, and He is with you.” Emmanuel, the Living Light, the Prince of Peace, the promised Christ.

As Mary thought about the meaning of this, the angel continued, “Do My soul doth magnify the Lord. My soul rejoices forevermore. not be afraid, Mary. God has chosen you to become a mother. You With every breath, I lift my praise and rest my spirit in Your embrace. will have a Son and you are to name Him Jesus. He will rise to power Lord make in me a holy place, a living cradle of gentle grace, and be called the Son of the Highest. God will give Him David’s and let me nurture in my heart the holy Child that you impart. throne and He will rule His people forever.” With all our lives and all our days, we lift our worship and sing your Mary asked the angel, “How can I have a child, since I am a virgin?” praise. With all our hearts, God’s love proclaim and magnify Your holy name. And the angel said, “This will happen by the power of the Lord. His Spirit will be upon you, for this Child will be the Son of God Himself.” My soul doth magnify the Lord. My soul doth magnify the Lord. Of the Father’s love begotten. At this, Mary said, “I am willing to serve God as He sees fit; let it be as you have said.”

The then angel Gabriel left. (Luke 1:26-35, 38) The sixth lesson: The birth of Jesus From the Gospel According to Luke

The emperor Augustus ordered that a census be taken of his empire. Everyone had to travel to the city of his ancestors to be counted. Since Joseph was a descendant of David, he had to be counted in David’s hometown, which was Bethlehem. The city was overflowing with visitors and lodging was scarce. While they were there, Mary gave birth to her first Child, a Son. And because the only room available to them was a stable, his cradle was a manger, which was a feeding crib for the animals. (Luke 2:1, 3-7)

Cradle Carols

Congregation joins in singing Away in a Manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem and Silent Night as printed.