The Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Lessons & Carols

Opening Hymn

Hymn of Praise - OSLC Choir

Psalm 96D by the OSLC Congregation

Choir Anthem

Hymn of the Day

Christmas Eve Sermon

Lessons and Carols

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the c ity of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

We reflect on the importance of Bethlehem as we sing...

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. The French carol, ‘Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella’, has its origins in a seventeenth century village in the south of France. Its lyrics describe two young girls leading the way for all their neighbors by torchlight to the stable to adore the Christ child, a Christmas Eve custom practiced in that region to this day. We listen to a piano duet version of this familiar tune.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” More than two centuries old, ‘Angels from the Realms of Glory’ was written by English poet James Montgomery. Let us worship the Christ Child with the angels in heaven as we sing.... ‘Angels from the Realms of Glory’

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they [the shepherds] saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Let us sing... Hymn 370 What Child Is This

The lights of the nave are dimmed. The Elder announces the lighting of the candles. Luke writes that Mary “treasured up all these things in her heart.” That phrase “all these things” includes her personal experience of that first Christmas nightwith the angels and the shepherds and the promise of God coming true. God has kept His covenant with His people, and we are blessed by it. With renewing faith, growing hope, and expanding love on this most holy night, we sing…

Closing Hymn

Fourth Day in Advent - Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023

Christmas Eve (morning service) Sermon