MICAH 6.8

The Nativity of the Holy One ☙  Christmas Eve  ☩  Christmas Day  ❧ December 24-25, 2022 PRELUDE—(Click Here) CAROL—"O Come All Ye Faithful" (Click Here) PRAYER O Immanuel, O Wisdom from on high, O Holy One of might, O Branch of Jesse’s stem, O Key of David, O Bright and Morning Star, O Ruler of nations, We rejoice and are glad this eve of your Nativity, for truly you have already come, full of grace and truth. Even now, come into our hearts again. Show us the path of knowledge. Comfort us in our mourning. Save us from all that would try to separate us from you. Open wide our way to heaven. Turn our darkness into light. End our sad divisions and be our Realm-Keeper of peace, so that every creature in heaven and on earth will join in a chorus of praise, and shout with joy to you, O Holy One. Amen. CAROL—"Angels From the Realms of Glory" (Click Here) Isaiah 9 2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name 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, 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. CAROL—"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" (Click Here) OR           "The Race That Long In Darkness Pined (Click Here) 1 The people who in darkness walked have seen a glorious light; the heav'nly dawn broke forth on those who dwelt in death and night, who dwelt in death and night. 2 To us a child of hope is born, to us a son is giv'n, and on his shoulders ever rests all pow'r in earth and heav'n, all pow'r in earth and heav'n. 3 His name shall be the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Lord, the Wonderful, the Counselor, the God by all adored. the God by all adored. 4 His righteous government and pow'r shall over all extend; on judgment and on justice based, his reign shall have no end, his reign shall have no end. 5 Lord Jesus, reign in us, we pray, and make us yours alone, for you are with the Father and the Spirit ever one, the Spirit ever one. Psalm 96 1 Oh, sing to the Holy One a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Holy One, bless God's name; Proclaim the good news of God's salvation from day to day. 3 Declare God's glory among the nations, God's wonders among all peoples. 4 For the Holy One is great and greatly to be praised; God is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Holy One made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before God; Strength and beauty are in God's sanctuary. 7 Give to the Holy One, O families of the peoples, Give to the Holy One glory and strength. 8 Give to the Holy One the glory due God's name; Bring an offering, and come into God's courts. 9 Oh, worship the Holy One in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before God, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, “The Holy One reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; God shall judge the peoples righteously.” 11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; 12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Holy One. 13 For God is coming, for the Holy One is coming to judge the earth. God shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with God's truth. CAROL—"Sing We Now of Christmas" (Click Here) Titus 2 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. CAROL—"Good Christian Friends Rejoice" (Click Here) Luke 2 1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed [a]wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward all!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. CAROL—"Angels We Have Heard On High" (Click Here) Oh Defender of shattered hearts, harm has been done in Your name,       and we are among the wounded. We bare our bruised arms before You, battered by blows of deception,       swollen from the sting of hypocrisy. Smitten with anger and overwhelmed with confusion, we are disgusted by       those who claim to do Your work. You say Your church is meant to be Your beloved bride, Your united body,       but we have encountered divided hearts and mutilated limbs—             a minefield of injuries rather than a hospital for the sick,       individual empires rather than a sanctuary for Yours. How do we live in community with those who disguise corruption as devotion? How do we share the same faith as those who preach a gospel of love yet       live lives of deceit? How do we trust in Your goodness when those who claim Your name practice evil? We come before You now, broken and bewildered, lamenting that Your imago Dei does not always bear Your image well. May our fractured hearts not harden into bitterness but be softened by tears of grief,       for You are near to every heart that has been unfairly crushed,      and You are no stranger to betrayal. How good and right it is to grieve what has brought us pain,       to desire that wrongs be made right and injustice be reversed. We leave vengeance in Your hand, where it belongs, for You do not stand idly by,      ignoring wickedness, nor do You let the guilty go unpunished. Teach us to discern between wolves in sheep’s clothing and those who are truly       controlled by Your Spirit. Would You help us forgive so that we may begin to heal? Would You soften our hearts and remind us of the beauty      that is possible in Your church? For we are recipients of Your undeserved forgiveness and       beneficiaries of Your infinite mercy. Let us never think, Oh Holy One, that we are better than the one who has hurt us,       for we once owed You an immeasurable debt that was canceled on the cross. Restore Your church, Oh God, and do not abandon us. Have mercy on us, Your people, and lead us out of our idolatrous ways. Would Your kindness bring us to repentance so that these wounds may be healed? Would You transform us from the inside out until we are true reflections of You? There has been so much devastation at the hands of Your people,       and we lift our cry of sorrow to You, Oh Healer and Redeemer. How we ache for the marriage supper of the Lamb,       when Your bride will be purged            of corruption and adorned with righteousness,       when the purity of Your ways will be written on her heart,             when she will know You to her core and       be so utterly healed that she harms no longer. Amen. —Elledge, Audrey; Moore, Elizabeth. Liturgies for Hope. The Crown Publishing Group. —AND/OR— As you untangle the knotted history of your past and sense the once-solid foundation       shifting beneath your feet, take courage—for your beliefs may not be dying       but awakening, your faith may not be waning but strengthening. You have reached the point of growth where pruning is required, where uprooting is needed,       where sifting through rocks and weeds is essential to cultivating rich, fertile soil for your soul. Do not be afraid, for many have traveled this road before you and have returned with a deeper       understanding of what they know and a profound peace about what they do not. Now is the time to be teachable, to be circumspect without being cynical,       to learn and unlearn, to be soft, to listen, to unravel the threads of what you were taught       and preserve the strands of truth—weaving together a tapestry of wisdom. Though it pains you to no end, now is the time to grow out of childhood, to crave the meatiness       of truth rather than drinking what is easy to digest. Now is the time to leave behind those who are always right, who trust in their minds       above anyone else’s, who leave no room for wonder and discovery. Now is the time to have hope, for the truth will be found by those who seek it out. Now is the time to probe the depths of wisdom, to explore what is gray with a sharp, clear eye,       to courageously investigate what you do not yet understand,       for a faith that asks questions is alive. Questioning your faith is not a shameful thing but rather a beautiful opportunity       to have your mind realigned,       your heart transformed, your soul guided home       by the One who loves you.       Many may try to discourage you, but remember—       you do not walk this valley alone. May you find compassionate companions who are not blinded by bitterness but open to new discoveries,       who are willing to wrestle with you       and are anchored by steady hearts. May you surround yourself with wise teachers who are able to guide you,       who may not have all the answers but you ask the right questions,       who are themselves lifelong students of this infinitely beautiful, eternally mysterious,       and complex thing we call faith. You are in a critical place, but take heart—you could be on the cusp of becoming a new creation. May you deconstruct in order to rebuild. May you find steady ground and a solid rock on which to plant your feet. May the end of your story be deeply satisfying,       for God is leading you to the true foundation of your faith. May you learn the sound of His clarifying voice and follow       your Good Shepherd when you do not know where to turn. May you ask for help when you need it and whisper the words of this simple prayer—       Oh God who does not rest until the lost sheep is found, would You come and find me? Amen. —Elledge, Audrey; Moore, Elizabeth. Liturgies for Hope. The Crown Publishing Group. SONG—"Silent Night, Holy Night" (Click Here) The life of the infant Christ encircles us with surprising gifts: Look outwards and see an everlasting hope for good. Look inward and find each new possibility. The life of the infant Christ encircles us with surprising gifts: Look beyond you and see the light of the star which beckons us on. Look beside you and welcome the company of love. The life of the infant Christ encircles us with surprising gifts: Look widely and find the Christ is near in friend and stranger. Look closely and touch the life of the divine within your own heart. Stay, stay here now, in the beauty of encircling love. SONG—"O Holy Night" (Click Here) BENEDICTION Go forth and shine light in the darkness. Go and bring peace into our troubled world. Proclaim hope in the midst of despair. Go with God’s blessings— for a child has been born to us who is Love for the nations and Light for the world. Amen. POSTLUDE—(Click Here)