Christmaseve Service #3 Series

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

John 1:1-14

Candles

Joseph — red

Mary — blue

Jesus — ivory

Two shepherds — green

Three angels — white

Three Magi (Wisemen) — burgundy

Only the 1st and last stanzas of the hymns are to be sung

Prelude — Christmas music

"In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The

Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from

the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:1-2, 14.

"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. 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

The birth of Jesus was like this:

1. Joseph "Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph (Light Joseph’s candle), but before they came together, she was

found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to

expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord

appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what

is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because

he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:18-21).

2. Mary "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married

to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary (Light Mary’s candle). The angel went to

her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and

wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor

with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and

will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over

the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin?

The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the

holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and

she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God. I am the Lord’s servant, Mary

answered. May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:26-38).

3. Congregational Hymn — Joy to the World "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken

of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And

everyone went to his own town to register. 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. He went there to register with Mary,

who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to

be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son (Light Jesus’ candle). She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a

manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:1-7).

4. Solo — What Child is This? "And there were shepherds (Light shepherds’ candles) living out in the fields nearby,

keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around

them, and they were terrified. 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. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign