The Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Carols

Opening Hymn

Choir Anthem 1

Psalm 96D by the OSLC Congregation

Choir Anthem 2

Christmas Eve Sermon

Lessons and Carols

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 c ity 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.

We reflect on the importance of Bethlehem as we sing...

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. “Away in a Manger” has been called “Luther’s Cradle Hymn”. Its actual Lutheran connection comes from the fact that it was first published in a Luther an Sunday School hymnal in Philadelphia in 1885. Let us sing...

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!” More than two centuries old, “Angels from the Realms of Glory” was written by English poet James Montgomery. Let us worship the Christ Child with the angels in heaven as we sing...

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 [the shepherds] saw it, they made known the saying tha t 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 a nd seen, as it had been told them. Let us sing...

Luke writes that Mary “treasured up all these things in her heart.” That phrase “all these things” includes her personal experience of that first Christmas nightwith the angels and the shepherds and the promise of God coming true. God has kept His covenant with His people, and we are blessed by it. With renewing faith, growing hope, and expanding love on this most holy night, we sing…

Closing Hymn

The Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Day, December 25, 2022

Hymns

Christmas Day Sermon

Closing Hymn