Variation on Nine Lessons and Carols

Including Communion

We have suggested a couple of carols for some of the lessons; you are free to choose others, of course! Assign some of the carols to soloists, ensembles, choirs or instrumental groups, mixing the congregational singing with listening/meditation.

THE WELCOME

Prelude

Christmas Greeting

THE WAITING

The First Lesson – Exodus 2:23-25

The Carol – “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

“Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus”

THE PROMISE

The Second Lesson – Isaiah 9:2, 6

The Carol – “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”

“Arise, Your Light Has Come”

“For unto Us a Child Is Born”

THE PLACE

The Third Lesson – Micah 5:2, 4

The Carol - “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

THE FULFILLMENT

The Fourth Lesson – Luke 2:4-7

The Carol -“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”

“Away in a Manger”

THE PROCLAMATION

The Fifth Lesson – Luke 2:8-18

The Carol -“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”

“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”

THE SEEKING

The Sixth Lesson – Matthew 2:1-11

The Carol -“As with Gladness Men of Old”

“People, Look East”

“We Three Kings”

THE NEW COVENANT

The Seventh Lesson – I Corinthians 11:23-29

Sharing in Communion

The Carol -“Child in the Manger”

“Love Came Down at Christmas”

“Man of Sorrows! What a Name”

THE REDEMPTION

The Eighth Lesson – Malachi 4:1-2

The Carol -“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”

THE HOPE

The Ninth Lesson – John 19:41-20:1

The Carol -“Silent Night! Holy Night”

THE BENEDI CTION

Now may the light of Christ go with us from this place, renewing us daily by his holy Presence among us. Even as the light of these candles surrounds us here tonight, may the Spirit of Christ linger among us far beyond this holiday moment. It is our prayer that in this silent, holy night, we, too, might find calmness and heavenly peace.

May the symbols of God’s redeeming grace in the bread and the cup continue to remind us that the pure light of Christ is available to us, piercing the darkness of our sin, bringing us life everlasting.

As the Holy Infant sleeps, may we his people be about our Father’s business of being light in the world - sharing the good news of this redeeming grace - that all who celebrate this season might come to know the One whose birth begins a life of loving, giving, healing, and ultimately dying that we through his death and resurrection might live.

To him be the glory, now and forevermore. Amen and amen.

Postlude