Luke 2:1-20 | Throughout the season of Advent, we were invited to come home, coming home to each other, and coming home to Christ. Hearing the Christmas story yet again this year, it’s clear that each character also received an invitation to be a part of God’s purposes in the world. That is, except one person: Jesus, the Son of God. God never received an invitation to come to us, and yet, out of love, God didn’t wait. God came to us because he knew we needed his presence, his mercy, his love, and his forgiveness. So now that Christ has come, now we are given an invitation to come home to our Lord. Join us for worship as the characters of our live nativity lead us through various invitations given long ago—and still given today—as we ponder our invitation to be a part of God’s purposes in the world.
Worship Bulletin: Christmas Eve
Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem. Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893. Music: ST. LOUIS, Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908. Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: Away in a Manger. Text: North American, 19th cent. Music: James R Murray, 1841-1905. Public Domain. Communion Song 1: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly. Text: Polish carol; tr. Edith M. G. Reed, 1885-1933, alt. Music: W ŻŁOBIE LEŻY, Polish carol. Public Domain. Communion Song 2: What Child Is This. Text: William C. Dix, 1837-1898. Music: GREENSLEEVES, English ballad, 16th cent. Public Domain. Sending Song: Silent Night. Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885. Music: STILLE NACHT, Franz Gruber, 1787-1863. Public Domain. Prayers were written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Adapted Rev. A. Kenitzer