Christmas Praise Service

A Christmas Praise Service

The Christmas Story

December 2001

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Praise God for Christmas.

Praise Him for the incarnation,

for the word made flesh.

I will not sing of shepherds

watching flocks on frosty nights,

or angel choristers.

I will not sing of a stable bare in Bethlehem,

or lowing oxen,

wise men trailing star with gold,

frankincense, and myrrh.

Tonight I will sing praise to the Father

who stood on heaven’s threshold

and said farewell to his Son

as he stepped across the stars

to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

And I will sing praise to the infinite, eternal Son,

who became most finite, a baby

who would one day be executed for my crime.

Praise him in the heavens,

Praise him in the stable,

Praise him in my heart.

Joseph Bayly.

Scripture Reading #1

9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7

Hymn: Joy to the World

Scripture Reading #2

2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. LK 2:4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

Hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,

Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled,

Within my heart, that it may be

A quiet chamber kept for Thee.

My heart for very joy doth leap,

My lips no more can silence keep,

I too must sing, with joyful tongue,

That sweetest ancient cradle song,

Glory to God in highest heaven,

Who unto man His Son hath given

While angels sing with pious mirth.

A glad new year to all the earth.

Martin Luther.

Scripture Reading #3

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Hymn: Silent Night (Children)

Scripture Reading #4

2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Hymn: The First Noel

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator; If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist; If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer; But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

Source Unknown.

Scripture Reading #5

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Hymn: Away in A Manger (Children)

Scripture Reading #6

2:13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Hymn: Hark, the Herald Angels Sing

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s lap,

His hair was like a light.

(O weary, weary is the world,

But here is all aright.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s breast,

His hair was like a star.

(O stern and cunning are the kings,

But here the true hearts are.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s heart,

His hair was like a fire.

(O weary, weary is the world,

But here the world’s desire.)

The Christ-child stood at Mary’s knee,

His hair was like a crown.

And all the flowers looked up at Him,

And all the stars looked down.

G. K. Chesterton in The Wild Knight