Christmas Eve Service
December 24, 2021
Our Service is live at 7 p.m. with prelude music at 6:30 p.m. You can watch the live stream and follow along with the order of worship below.
Proclamation of the Birth of Christ
Many ages after God created the heavens and the earth, when man and woman were formed in God’s own image; long after the great flood, when God set the rainbow in the clouds as a sign of the covenant; twenty-one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah; thirteen centuries after Moses led God’s people to freedom; eleven centuries from the time of Ruth and the judges; a thousand years from the anointing of David as king; in the sixty-fifth week as Daniel’s prophecy takes note; the seven hundred and fifty-second year from the founding of the city of Rome; the forty-second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus, all earth being at peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God, Son of the eternal Father, willing to hallow the world by his coming in mercy, was born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judea. Today is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, God made flesh.
Call to Worship “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful”
Verse 1
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him, born the king of angels:
Refrain
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Verse 2
The highest, most holy, light of light eternal,
born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;
Son of the Father now in flesh appearing! (Refrain)
Verse 3
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God in the highest (Refrain)
* Confession and Forgiveness
Pastor: Blessed be the holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, who forgives all our sins, whose mercy endures forever.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Amidst the darkness of this world, let us confess our sin and welcome the light of God’s forgiveness.
(Silence is kept for reflection.)
Pastor: Mary accepted your call to be the mother of Jesus.
People: Forgive our lack of faith and trust in your will.
Pastor: Your Son was born in the poverty of a stable.
People: Forgive our neglect of the poor.
Pastor: The shepherds left their flocks and went to Bethlehem.
People: Forgive our selfishness and complacency.
Pastor: The magi followed the star to find the Savior of the nations.
People: Forgive our reluctance to seek you with all our hearts.
Pastor: The angel said, you shall call his name Jesus for he will save his people from their sins. With great joy, I announce to you the entire forgiveness of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Hymn of Praise “Joy to the World” vs 1,2,4
Verse 1
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king;
let ev’ry heart prepare him room
and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
Verse 2
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
Verse 4
He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.
The Greeting
Pastor: Alleluia! Christ is born for us.
People: Oh, come, let us adore him.
Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you always.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: The Word was made flesh, and we beheld his glory.
People: Oh, come, let us worship him.
Pastor: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
People: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.
Pastor: Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
People: We have beheld Christ’s glory, glory as of the only Son of the Father.
Pastor: For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given.
People: In him was life, and the life was the light of all.
Christmas Prayer
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Let us pray… Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and on that last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Lighting of the Christmas Candle
Children’s Sermon
Children’s Hymn “Away in the Manger” vs 1,2,3
Verse 1
Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
the stars in the sky looked down where he lay;
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
Verse 2
The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes,
but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky
and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Verse 3
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay
close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care
and fit us for heaven, to live with you there.
First Lesson Isaiah 9:2-7
2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. 3You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onwards and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
*Psalm Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” vs 1,2
Verse 1
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Verse 2
For Christ is born of Mary, and, gathered all above
while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the king, and peace to all the earth!
Second Lesson Titus 2:11-14 – Lay Reader
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
*Gospel Acclamation “Good Christian Friends Rejoice” vs 1
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today;
ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!
Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke, the second chapter.
People: Glory to you, O Lord.
Gospel Lesson Luke 2:1-20
1In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to
whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Christmas Message Come and See by Pastor Scott Baker
*Hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High” vs 1,3
Verse 1
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,
and the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain
Gloria in excelsis Deo; gloria in excelsis Deo.
Verse 3
Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn king. (Refrain)
The Prayers – Pastor Galvez
Rejoicing that we have seen the salvation of our God in the birth of Jesus the Messiah, let us pray for the church, the world, and all people in need.
God of glory, purify your church and transform its members into your own people, zealous to make known the truth of salvation in Jesus Christ to all the world. Draw near to us, O God,
and receive our prayer.
God of glory, curb the desire to fill the emptiness in our lives with material things, and open our eyes to see the goodness of creation revealed in your Word made flesh. Draw near to us,
O God,
and receive our prayer.
God of glory, break the yokes of war and oppression that plague our world, establish your peace among nations, and uphold it with justice and righteousness for all peoples. Draw near to us, O God,
and receive our prayer.
God of glory, shine the light of your grace on all who are homeless, fearful, sick, or hospitalized. Cast out their fear and restore them to wholeness according to your promise. Draw near to us, O God,
and receive our prayer.
God of glory, turn the hearts of those gathered here to the strangers among us and teach us to welcome them as the very Christ who comes to dwell with us. Draw near to us, O God,
and receive our prayer.
God of glory, we wait with hope for your glory yet to be revealed and for that day when we are united with all the saints who rest in you. Draw near to us, O God,
and receive our prayer.
Hear these prayers, O God, offered in the name of your Son, who has made your glory and graciousness known to us.
Amen.
*Offering Response “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” vs 1
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to all, from heav’n’s all-gracious king.”
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
*Offering Prayer
People: Eternal God, with Mary we treasure the gift of your Son, and in our hearts we ponder the mystery of his birth. Receive these offerings, that our lives may declare the wonders of your love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Great Thanksgiving
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Thanksgiving Prayer
Holy God, Creator of all and Source of life, at the birth of time your Word brought light into the world. In the fullness of time, you sent your Word, born of Mary, to shine in our darkness and to make us your daughters and sons.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
La noche en que fue entregado, nuestro Señor Jesús tomo pan y dio gracias; Lo partió y lo dio a sus discípulos, diciendo: Tomen y coman; esto es mi cuerpo, dado por ustedes.
Hagan esto en memoria mía.
De igual manera, después de haber cenado, tomo la copa,
Dio gracias y la dio a beber a todos, diciendo:
Esta copa es el nuevo pacto en mi sangre,
Derramada por ustedes y por todo el mundo para el perdón del pecado.
Hagan esto en memoria mía
Remembering, therefore, his birth and life among us, his death and resurrection, we await his coming again when all things will be restored in him. By your Spirit bless us and this bread and cup, that, held and nourished by you, we may live as your children, shining with the light of your Son. Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever.
Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
People: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Distribution of the Meal
*Post Communion Prayer
Pastor: God of light, with our eyes we have seen your salvation and in this supper we have feasted on your grace. Send us forth into the world to be your holy people, revealing your glory made known to us in Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
Benediction
Pastor: May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. And may almighty God, Father, † Son, and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever.
People: Amen.
Lighting of the Candles
*HYMN OF LIGHT “Silent Night, Holy Night!”
Verse 1
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Verse 2
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav’nly hosts sing, alleluia!
Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!
Verse 3
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from your holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at your birth, Jesus, Lord, at your birth.
As lights are turned up, candles are extinguished.
*SENDING
Pastor: Filled with the joy of Christ’s birth, go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Receiving the Offering
All Saints can now accept online donations through a credit card. Visit our Online Donation Page to make a one-time donation or set up a weekly offering.
Checks may be mailed to All Saints Lutheran Church, 4325 SW Green Oaks, Arlington TX 76017. You may also be able to use online bill payment through your bank and set up recurring payments.
Our Christmas Poinsettias are sponsored by:
John Barnes in memory of Lucy
Beverly Byers in celebration of family
The Gustafson Family in memory of our parents Kermith Gustafson & Lila Christensen
Sherry & Len Livingston in memory of loved ones
The Shimek Family in memory of loved ones
The Congregation of Santisima Trinidad
View our weekly Connection Newsletter for upcoming events and announcements.