Home Worship Advent-Christmas-Epiphany 2018-19 Worship Planning Series Christmas Eve 2018, Year C — Graphics & Resources

Arrive

Advent-Christmas-Epiphany 2018-19 Worship Planning Series

Christmas Eve 2018, Year C

For Christians, Christmas Eve is a moment of open arms— as a midwife who extends her arms to receive the newly born child. As the church, we also extend our arms to receive Jesus once again, with all that he has to offer: an incomparable love, a huge smile, the smile of God over humanity and directed individually at every human being.

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Prepare the Way: ARRIVE worship series text over valley scene with a bright star in the evening sky

Lighting the Advent Wreath

Written by Amy Sigmon
Christmas Eve: Arrive
Christ Candle
Isaiah 9:2-7 // Luke 2:1-20

Hymn: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” stanza 1, The United Methodist Hymnal, 196

All [sung]: “Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;

Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.”

Reader 1: God, you have shined your light upon your people, the light of peace, justice, and righteousness.

Reader 2: God, we listen to the story of Mary and Joseph, shepherds and angels, and join in celebrating the arrival of Jesus Christ into the world.

All: We, God’s people, welcome the arrival of the Christ child, Son of God, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Reader 1 and/or 2: On this Christmas Eve, we light this Christ candle acknowledging light has come into the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.

Light a candle.

All [sung]: “Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;

Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.”

Articles and Resources

Seasonal/Secular

Offertory Prayer

Holy God, as we gather this evening, all our attention is focused on a baby, lying in a makeshift bed in an “it-will-have-to-do” stable. It’s not lost on us that you sent your Son, our Savior, into the world among the poorest of the poor and told us: “This will be a sign to you.” As we present gifts to you, we pray that they might reach those in the greatest need, that they might lift those in the deepest despair, and that they might bring peace and compassion to those who find themselves amidst conflict. We pray this in the name of that Holy Child, Jesus the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer! Amen. (Isaiah 9:2-7) (Luke 2:1-20)

View all Prepare the Way offertory prayers

​Graphics Downloads — Christmas Eve

8.5 x 11 Bulletin Cover (.jpg) — [Color] [Black & White]

11x17 Bulletin Cover (.jpg) — [Color] [Black & White]

Facebook Cover Image - Welcome [.jpg]

Twitter Banner - Welcome [.jpg]

16:9 PowerPoint/Projection Images (.jpg) — [Background]

4:3 PowerPoint/Projection Images (.jpg) — [Background]

Graphics Downloads — Prepare The Way Series

8.5 x 11 Bulletin Cover (.jpg) — [Color] [Black & White]

11x17 Bulletin Cover (.jpg) — [Color] [Black & White]

Facebook Cover Image — Prepare the Way Series [.jpg]

Twitter Banner - Prepare the Way Series [.jpg]

16:9 PowerPoint/Projection Images (.jpg) — [Background] [Title]

4:3 PowerPoint/Projection Images (.jpg) — [Background] [Title]