Welcome Dr. Jonny Gibson

Prelude

Angels We Have Heard on High arr. Richard Price

The First Nowell Bob Chilcott

The first Nowell the angels did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star shining in the east beyond them far; and to the earth it gave great light both day and night. Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

And by the light of that same star, three wise men came from country far; to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went. Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

This star drew nigh to the northwest; over Bethlehem it took its rest, and there it did both stop and stay right over the place where Jesus lay. Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

Then entered in those wise men three, full rev’rently upon their knee, and offered there in his presence their gold and myrrh and frankincense. Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heav’nly Lord, that hath made heav’n and earth of nought, and with his blood mankind has bought. Nowell, born is the King of Israel.

Invocation Dr. Gibson

Carol 208: O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles/arr. Sterling Procter

Verse 1 = Unison
Verse 2 = Parts
Verse 3 = Parts
Verse 4 = Unison

Prayer of Adoration (Congregation)

Almighty God and Heavenly Father, what shall we render to you for the gift of gifts, your own dear Son, begotten, not created, our redeemer, surety, substitute, his infinity of love beyond the heart’s grasp. Herein is wonder of wonders: he came below to raise us above, was born like us that we might become like him. Herein is love: when we cannot rise to him, he draws near on wings of grace, to raise us to himself. O God, take us in spirit to the watchful shepherds, and enlarge our minds; let us hear good tidings of great joy, and hearing, believe, rejoice, praise and adore. In Christ you have given us so much that heaven can give no more. All praise be to you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

First Lesson: Isaiah 9:2, 6–7 Mike Miller (Dec. 23), Michel Hatem (Dec. 24)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Comfort, Comfort arr. John Ferguson

“Comfort, comfort now my people; Tell of peace!” so says our God. Comfort those who sit in darkness mourning under sorrow’s load. To God’s people now proclaim that God’s pardon waits for them! Tell them that their war is over; God will reign in peace forever!

For the herald’s voice is crying in the desert far and near, calling us to true repentance, since the Kingdom now is here. Oh, that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way! Let the valleys rise to meet him, and the hills bow down to greet him!

Straight shall be what long was crooked, and the rougher places plain! Let your hearts be true and humble, as befits his holy reign! For the glory of the Lord now on hearth is shed abroad, and all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken.

Carol 194: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel/arr. John Rutter

Verse 1 = Unison
Verse 2 = Parts
Verse 3 = Men
Verse 4 = Women
Verse 5 = Unison

Second Lesson: Isaiah 60:1–3 Dr. Gibson (Dec. 23 & 24)

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Angels, from the Realms of Glory Will Todd

Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth; ye who sang creation’s story now proclaim Messiah’s birth: Come and worship the King, come and worship Christ, the newborn King!

Shepherds, in the field abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light: Come and worship the King, come and worship Christ, the newborn King!

Sages, leave your contemplations; brighter visions beam afar; seek the great Desire of Nations; ye have seen his natal star.

Though an infant now we view him, He shall fill his Father’s throne, gather all the nations to him; ev’ry knee shall then bow down: Come and worship the King, come and worship Christ, the newborn King!

Third Lesson: Luke 1:26–38 Ralph Bremerman (Dec. 23), Nathaniel Schmucker (Dec. 24)

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to 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.” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Magnificat George Dyson

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the lowliness of His handmaiden. For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath magnified me; And holy is His name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him throughout all generations. He hath shewed strength with His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away. He rememb’ring His mercy hath holpen His servant Israel. As He promised to our forefathers, Abraham, and His seed forever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. World without end, Amen.

Fourth Lesson: Matthew 1:18–25 Dr. Gibson (Dec. 23 & 24)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Carol 207: Good Christian Men, Rejoice In Dulci Jubilo/arr. Colin Howland

Verse 1 = Parts
Verse 2 = Parts
Verse 3 = Unison

Of the Father’s Love Begotten arr. Trevor Manor

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the Source, the Ending He, of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessed, when the Virgin full of grace, by the Holy Ghost conceiving, bore the Savior of our race; and the Babe, the world’s Redeemer, first revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heav’n adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing; pow’rs, dominions, bow before Him and extol our God and King; let no tongue on earth be silent, ev’ry voice in concert ring; evermore, and evermore!

Fifth Lesson: Luke 2:1–7 Chris Pontius (Dec. 23), John Ward (Dec. 24)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day arr. Michael Higgins

Tomorrow shall be my dancing day: I would my true love did so chance to see the legend of my play, to call my true love to my dance: Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love; this have I done for my true love.

Then was I born of a virgin pure, of her I took fleshly substance; thus was I knit to man’s nature, to call my true love to my dance: Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love; this have I done for my true love.

In a manger laid and wrapped I was, so very poor this was my chance, betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass, to call my true love to my dance: Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love; this have I done for my true love.

Then afterwards baptized I was; the Holy Ghost on me did glance, my Father’s voice heard from above, to call my true love to my dance: Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love; this have I done for my true love, for my true love.

Carol 225: Once in Royal David’s City Irby/arr. David Willcocks

Verse 1 = Women
Verse 2 = Men
Verse 3 = Parts
Verse 4 = Parts
Verse 5 = Unison

Sixth Lesson: Luke 2:8–20 Scott Sweeney (Dec. 23) Dr. Gibson (Dec. 24)

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

African Noel arr. André Thomas

Sing Noel! Sing we all Noel! Oh sing! Come, ye people, gather here to hear the news of good cheer. The King of kings, the Lamb of God is born today in Bethlehem. Sing Noel. Oh sing Noel, Noel!

Homily Dr. Jonny Gibson

Carol 195: Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come Antioch/arr. Sterling Procter

Verse 1 = Parts
Verse 2 = Parts
Verse 3 = Unison
Verse 4 = Unison

Seventh Lesson: Matthew 2:1–2, 7–12 Brad Jefferies (Dec. 23), Michel Hatem (Dec. 24)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Small Wonder the Star Paul Wigmore, Paul Edwards

Small wonder the star, small wonder the light, the angels in chorus, the shepherds in fright; but stable and manger for God—no small wonder!

Small wonder the kings, small wonder they bore the gold and the incense, the myrrh, to adore; but God gives his life on a cross—no small wonder!

Small wonder the love, small wonder the grace, the power, the glory, the light of his face; but all to redeem my poor heart—no small wonder!

Eighth Lesson: John 1:1–5, 9–14 Dr. Gibson (Dec. 23 and 24)

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 was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Stay with Us Egil Hovland

Stay with us, Lord Jesus, stay with us. Stay with us, it soon is evening, and night is falling.

Jesus Christ, the world’s true light!
Shine so the darkness cannot overcome it!
Stay with us, Lord Jesus, it soon is evening.
Stay with us, Lord Jesus, for night is falling.
Let your light pierce the darkness and fill your church with its glory.

Stay with us, Lord Jesus, stay with us. Stay with us, it soon is evening, and night is falling.

Carol: Silent Night! Holy Night! Stille Nacht/arr. Colin Howland

Carol 203: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn/arr. David Willcocks

Verse 1 = Unison
Verse 2 = Parts
Verse 3 = Unison

Benediction

Postlude: Awake, Thou Wintry Earth Johann Sebastian Bach