Lighting of the Advent Ring

The Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,

who has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,

born of the house of his servant David.

The first candle is lit to remember the prophets

Through his holy prophets God promised of old

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

To show mercy to our ancestors,

and to remember his holy covenant.

The second candle is lit to remember the patriarchs

This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

Free to worship him without fear,

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

The third candle is lit to remember John the Baptist

And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

To give his people knowledge of salvation

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

The fourth candle is lit to remember Mary the mother of Jesus

In the tender compassion of our God

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

To shine on those who dwell in darkness

and the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

The Christmas Day candle is lit to celebrate the birth of Jesus

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

who has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour,

born of the house of his servant David.

Carol    Joy to the world, the Lord has come

Lord Jesus Christ,

your birth at Bethlehem

draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth;

accept our heartfelt praise

as we worship you, our Saviour and our eternal God. Amen.

The angel said to Joseph, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Let us kneel or sit to say we are sorry.

Your servant Mary accepted your will;

Forgive our disobedience.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

The Shepherds left their sheep to find the Christ-child:

Forgive our self-interest.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

The Wise Men followed the star to Bethlehem:

Forgive our lack of vision.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

May God who loved the world so much

that he sent his Son to be our Saviour

forgive our sins and make us holy to serve him in the world,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reading    Luke 2 verses 1 – 7

Poem    from 'A Hymn of the Nativity', Richard Crashaw 1613 - 1649

Reading    Luke 2 verses 8 – 16

Carol    Infant holy, infant lowly

We remain standing to affirm our faith in God.

We believe in God the Father,

from whom every family

in heaven and on earth is named.

We believe in God the Son,

who lives in our hearts through faith,

and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit,

who strengthens us with power from on high.

We believe in one God;

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Poem    Carol of the Fieldmice, Kenneth Grahame 1859 - 1932

Prayers of Thanks

Father, for all your gifts,

We give you thanks.

Prayers of Intercession

God of love,

Hear our prayer.

We bring our prayers and praises together

in the words Jesus taught us:

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,

the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Carol    O come, all ye faithful

Blessing

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to himself;

may the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in his service;

may the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our hearts;

and may the blessing of Almighty God,

the Creator, the Saviour and the Comforter,

be with us this Christmas and always. Amen.