Worship Notes for Sunday, December 25, 2011
We have reached the birth narrative in our study of Luke—and what a glorious thing to do so on Christmas morning! We open with Angels We Have Heard on High and follow with the responsive Call to Worship from Isaiah 9 even as we move from darkness to light in the course of serving in worship. We begin by singing O Come, All Ye Faithful as a continued call to worship with the especially appropriate line, “Yea, Lord we greet Thee, born this happy morning…” We continue with Angels from the Realms of Glory and the glad refrain of “Come and worship, worship Christ the new-born King!”Our Old Testament Reading is from Micah 5 and the familiar language of a Ruler coming from Bethlehem who will shepherd His flock and be peace. As we enter into the Prayer of Confession, we will use the opening passage from the Gospel of John as we acknowledge that the Word became flesh and brings light into the darkness, but we do not know Him or receive Him as we ought. The Assurance of Pardon from Isaiah 7 & 53 remind of why Christ has come—to be wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. And in so doing, He brings peace and healing from our waywardness. We respond in song with God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen for our Savior was born to “save us all from Satan’s power” and the serpent’s head is being crushed.
The Communion Hymns are Once in Royal David’s City and Hark a Thrilling Voice is Sounding. Our final hymn is Joy to the World and the final verse of The First Noel—“Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord who has made Heaven and Earth from naught and with His blood mankind has bought.” Glad tidings of a great Joy!
