Order of Worship

ENTRANCE

Prelude: Medley of Christmas songs that begin on lower pitches — maybe starting with something like “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” (UMH 626) or “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” (UMH 184).

*Greeting:

Jesus Christ is born today!
Alleluia!

*Hymn

“When Christmas Morn is Dawning” UMH 232 or
“O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright” UMH 247

Prayer of Illumination

Be born in our hearing, Lord Jesus,
and open our lives to you:
Our Word, our Light, our Life.
Amen.

WORD AND RESPONSE

Gospel Reading John 1:1-2
Hymn or Choral or Band on “Word” such as “Word of God, Come Down on Earth” (UMH 182)
Prayers: For the mission of the church, to listen and follow the Word made flesh ...

Gospel Reading John 1:3-5

Hymn or Choral or Band on “Life” or “Light” such as “Christ Is the World’s Light” (UMH 188) or “Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light” (UMH 223) or Jane Marshall’s “Eternal Light” (see https://www.riteseries.org/song/Hymnal1982/658/ for a hymn-based version)
Prayers: For our social, economic, and political life — to reflect the light of Christ, and build, sustain, and protect life of every kind in our world

Gospel Reading John 1:6-8
Hymn/Song/Poem/Pastor’s Comment on “Witness” such as “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” (UMH 251) or “On Christmas Night” (W&S 3064)
Prayers: For all who proclaim the gospel, and for ourselves to proclaim Christ faithfully

Gospel Reading John 1:9-11
Song/Hymn/Choral Piece/Poem/Pastor’s Comment on “Unwelcome,” including “Welcome to Our World” as one song in this mix (Chris Rice, CCLI SongSelect #2317391)
Prayers: For all who are left behind, isolated, harmed, or unwelcomed by the world, and for all who are sick

Gospel Reading John 1:12-14
Song/Hymn/ Choral Piece/Poem/Pastor’s Comment on Seeing the Glory/Light Shining on Us such as “Light of the World” (Matt Redman, CCLI SongSelect #2650577)
Prayer: Gloria in Excelsis/Lord’s Prayer

[Reflection: “Word”]

THANKSGIVING AND OFFERING

Hymn “Sing We Now of Christmas” (upbeat), stanzas 1-3 UMH 237

New Verse 4
Word in flesh among us, God taking human form,
We proclaim your glory on this Christmas morn. REFRAIN

New Verse 5
Thanks and praise to Jesus, thanks to God on high,
Thanks to Holy Spirit, One in Three drawn nigh. REFRAIN

SENDING FORTH

Hymn “Joy to the World” UMH 246

Dismissal
We have seen his glory,
the glory as of God’s only-begotten,
full of grace and truth.
How great our joy!
Go forth, and proclaim it!
Thanks be to God.

Other recommended hymns for Christmas Day:

“He Is Born” UMH 228
“Love Came Down at Christmas” UMH 242
“‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime” UMH 244
“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” UMH 218