In Celebration Of Christmas

IN CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS

A Hanging of the Greens Program

Narrator: Welcome to our celebration - We have gathered here for a joyous celebration of a holy season leading up to a holy night: the night of our Savior’s birth. We are here tonight not only to decorate our church, but to tell once again the story of God’s Son coming to earth. It was a night of divine wonder but most of all, it was a night of hope, as God gave His only begotten Son to a world in need of a Savior and for the first time, the soul of man felt its worth to a loving Heavenly Father. So, welcome to our night of celebration. Welcome to our celebration of joy -- welcome to our celebration of hope!

Congregational: “JOY TO THE WORLD” (verse 1,2)

“JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE YOU” (verses 1,2)

“O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL” (verses 1,2)

THE EVERGREEN WREATH: _____________________________

Narrator: We begin tonight where everything must begin, we begin with the Tree of Life, Jesus Christ. The evergreen has long been a symbol of life -- everlasting life. It reminds us that, even in the darkest of winters, life continues. The evergreen symbolizes God, the one who is life, the one who gives life. It was the prophet Isaiah who said, "There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him. For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6,7)

Solo: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (verses 1&4): _______________________

THE STAR WREATH: _____________________________

Narrator: The star has long been a witness to the happenings of man. Created before man, the star shone its light while man committed the first sin in the garden of Eden. The star shone its silent witness as Moses led the children of Israel from captivity in Egypt. The star brilliantly proclaimed the birth of Jesus Christ and lead all who would follow to the place of Jesus’ birth. The star shined it’s glory on the face of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane as He prayed, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” The star stood vigil while Jesus slept in the grave for two nights and the stars now declare His glory as He is seated at the right hand of God. It is the star that has stood witness to the victories and failures of mankind since the beginning and it is the star that declares the presence of God in our world today. Apostle John writes: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Solo: “THE BIRTHDAY OF A KING”: _________________________________

THE ANGEL WREATHS: _____________________________

Narrator: The Angels, the Messengers of God, have always been a part of the history of mankind. It was the angel Gabriel who was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, Gabriel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then Gabriel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. "And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1:26-35)

Congregational or Solo: “ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH”

THE DOVE WREATH: _____________________________

Narrator: The doves are the symbol of God’s presence with us. Matthew wrote: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21. "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." 22. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23. "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." (Matthew 1:18-23) From the ark of Noah, to Jesus’ baptism in the river Jordan, to the disciple’s Holy Spirit baptism in the upper room, the dove has been God’s symbol of His presence and activity in our lives. Jesus name is Immanuel, and God is with us.