Sunday, 26 December 2021

Christmas day

 Christmas Day


Song: Christians Awake

Christians Awake with Lyrics (Choral) (4K) - YouTube


Prayers:

With joy we worship God made man.  

Lord of all worlds and galaxies, today you confront us with a wonder so great that we can hardly believe it.  We knew that you were here, as everywhere, an invisible presence: but it was only when Jesus was born that we found you actually sharing our human existence.

We thank you for the words of all the forerunners, in whose minds the truth had made a home, so that they could help people to be looking in the right direction for you.

We thank you for Mary and joseph.  But for them your plan could never have been carried through.

Every home, every family, every human life has new meaning and dignity because of your coming among us.

The true colours of Christmas have been too much overlaid for us by pious legend and pagan festivity; and on top of all lies time's thick and darkening varnish.  Help us to take advantage of the scholarship of critics and translators, to reveal the glory to us again.  We are confident that in the record of the earthly days of Jesus and his friends we may still meet you face to face.

Amen


Song: Come and join the celebration

Come and Join the Celebration (Valerie Collison) (StF 196) - YouTube


Reading: Luke’s gospel, chapter 2, verses 1 to 12


Song: Sing all ye people of the earth today (Tune Stannington)

Stannington - YouTube

Sing all ye people of the earth today,

For Jesus Christ was born on Christmas day;

Ring out ye joyous bells in Heaven, Ring on

For Christ is born!


Born in a stable bare, of humble birth,

Born of a virgin pure, to dwell on earth;

Let all mankind rejoice on this great day

For Christ is born!


He came to us that wars on earth may cease;

He came to bring us hope, and joy, and peace;

Worship, O nations at His feet today

For Christ is born!


Glory to God on high, we all will sing,

Glory and praise we render to our King;

Peace on the earth, goodwill to men this day

For Christ is born!


Song:  Angels from the realms of Glory

Angels From the Realms of Glory (Tune: Gloria {Iris} - 4vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube


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