Call to Worship
Beloved, on this day/night, we gather to enliven the story once again of God who came to dwell among us as a vulnerable baby.
We rejoice in the day that all the earth awaits.
We remember the stable, the animals, and the manger that witnessed the arrival of Emmanuel, God with us.
We rejoice in the day that all the earth awaits.
We recall the angels who announced the Messiah’s birth to the shepherds, those most unlikely witnesses of God’s glory.
We rejoice in the day that all the earth awaits.
In our remembering and enlivening, we gather today as people of God’s promise, witnesses to God’s glorious presence among us in the vulnerable, forgotten, and tucked away places of the world.
We gather to rejoice in the day that all the earth awaits, the day that has already come and will yet be. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, June 2025.
Opening Prayer
We have waited for a long time
for your hope, your joy, your love
to shine in the darkness of this world, Almighty God.
Even now, in our gathering here, we await you.
In our hearts, we still hope that your light will blaze forth,
banishing the shadows of this world
and guiding all the people back to you.
Yet you did not come into this world
in a show of power and glory.
You did not shine forth for all of creation to behold.
A tiny spark –
a newborn baby,
visible to parents and curious animals.
A host of angels –
away from the populated areas,
singing to migrant workers.
A sparkling star –
guiding foreigners to see what neighbors could not.
Open our hearts, merciful God,
to the sparks of your presence still in this world.
Open our eyes,
that we might behold your presence in the least likely of places,
and among the least likely of people.
God with us,
kindle your spark within us,
that together we may shine forth your light,
we might banish the shadows of this world,
we might be the continuation of the Christmas miracle:
Emmanuel is in this world,
God is with us, now and evermore. Amen.
Written by Rev. Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, pastor at First Church Congregational in Rochester, NH. Reposted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2018/12/christmas-opening-prayer.html.
Prayer of Confession
Lord Jesus,
This most holy of nights brings us
Gladness,
Grief,
and Joy.
Gladness,
Because you left the splendor of Heaven’s glory
To come to a dark and cold world,
To bring the light and warmth of your Kingdom
To a world so in need of
Your Love,
Your Peace,
Your Joy.
Grief,
Because you came into the world,
Yet the world did not receive You.
You came to Your own,
And your own did not welcome you.
And still today, people turn away from you.
We turn away from you.
Sin still scars your creation
And the hearts of your own people.
and Joy,
Because you offer perfect forgiveness and full cleansing
to all who acknowledge their need of you.
Cleanse our hearts tonight, Lord Jesus,
so that I may welcome you as I long to,
certain that I am also welcomed by You.
Amen.
Adapted from © Rick Lindholtz 2008 Posted on his on the tracks blog. Reposted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/12/confession-for-christmas-eve.html.
Benediction
People of the promise, go now to carry the story and the glory of all you have witnessed, that the world might know that good news has come to dwell among us now and forever. Amen.
Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, June 2025.
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