Order of Worship
Gathering Music: “Il Est Ne (He Is Born)” by Michael Gettel
Centering Words
In the beginning was a child—and the child was God’s salvation, and God was Salvation.
Gathering Words ~ Isaiah 9:2, 6
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.
A child is born to us, a son is given to us,
and authority will be on his shoulders.
He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Lighting the Christ Candle
As you gaze upon the flickering candles, reflect on the gift we have received this night—the gift of God’s utter vulnerability. Centering your attention on your breath, allow this vulnerability to heal your need to be strong, your desire to be self-sufficient, your impulse to control your own destiny. Breathe deeply, and with each breath you take, allow your inner child to connect with the baby Jesus lying helplessly in a manger. With each breath you take, reach out with love and care to this holy child, and feel the Holy One reach back with gifts to heal your brokenness, with mercies to mend your soul. Hold each breath for a moment, praising God for the gift of reclaimed innocence—the gift only a child can offer. As you exhale, focus on releasing the shields you put up to protect yourself from being hurt. Continue to breathe in and out until you can hold the Christ child in the arms of your love.
Opening Prayer
Your gift is salvation, Holy One, for you are Salvation—
salvation born in a world of darkness to light my steps in the ways of peace;
salvation born in a world of despair to open my eyes to the promise of hope;
salvation born in a world of pain to free my tongue to sing your joy;
salvation born in a world of division and hatred
to free my heart to rest in the arms of your love.
Incarnate Love, touch my spirit with laughter,
as I worship you with the shepherds and sing songs with the angelic chorus
proclaiming the glory of your salvation. Amen.
Hymn ~ “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-7
In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire
should be enrolled in the tax lists.
This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria.
Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled.
Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line,
he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city,
called Bethlehem, in Judea.
He went to be enrolled together with Mary,
who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby.
She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly,
and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.
Hymn ~ “Away in a Manger” ~ UMH #217
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-14
Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night.
The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them,
and they were terrified.
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—
wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city.
He is Christ the Lord.
This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God.
They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom [God] favors.”
Hymn ~ “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” ~ UMH #240
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:15-20
When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other,
“Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened.
Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.”
They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph,
and the baby lying in the manger.
When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child.
Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them.
Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully.
The shepherds returned home,
glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.
Everything happened just as they had been told.
Hymn ~ “Angels from the Realms of Glory” ~ UMH #220
Meditation
Either we believe that the creator of heaven and earth was powerless to find proper lodging for Mary to give birth to God’s Son, or we must acknowledge that something earth-shattering is going on here. In the birth of the universe, God is revealed as all powerful; in the birth of Jesus, God is revealed as all vulnerable. Only a love that is both all-powerful and all-vulnerable can save the world. Only a love that spreads its arms naked on the cross can save the world. In Christ, God becomes naked and vulnerable to save humankind. Christmas is a time to treasure this love and open our hearts, naked and vulnerable, before the Christ child.
Response to the Word
(Look at your crèche (Nativity set) or find an image of one online. Observe the characters gathered around the baby Jesus and give thanks for his presence in your life. See him as a newborn child, as a wise rabbi and teacher, as a man of God, even as the Risen Christ. Or gaze at a Christmas tree with gifts beneath the tree and reflect on the gifts of this season.)
•What is most precious to you about Jesus’s birth?
•What gift does Jesus bring you this holiday season?
•How is Christmas a gift in and of itself?
•How might you be a Christmas gift for someone else?
Hymn ~ “Silent Night, Holy Night” ~ UMH #239
Blessing
May your home be a place where God is gloried.
May your lives reflect the joy of God’s grace.
May your actions bring hope to everyone you meet.
May your spirit abide in peace.
