Welcome to the HomeFaith Christmas Day online worship service for 2021. This service includes some pre-recorded videos in addition to some YouTube videos for music. Most words are included or links to them are provided.
I suggest people participating in this worship read or pray out aloud the words in black.
HYMN: “HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING”
Let us worship together, and sing if you are able, our first Carol, which is “Hark the herald angels sing” (2016 ‘Big Sing’ at Royal Albert Hall, London). The video is below and a link to YouTube is also included in case you have problems connecting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe6X7PyCKDY
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
The people walking darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned. For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given. And the government will be on his shoulders, and his name shall be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Together: Joy to world, the Lord is come!
Leader 1: We light this candle because Jesus, the light of this world has come. The Word became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth.
Light candle
Leader 2: Let us join with millions throughout the world, who will joyfully rise and proclaim this day that ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
As we begin our worship, let us also acknowledge the Wiradjuri people. They are the first inhabitants of our region, and part of God’s good creation. We honour them for their custodianship of the land, on which we live today.
Prayer
Let us pray. Come, thou-long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free. We have arrived at this special day of Christmas, when we remember your birth, your incarnation, the Word becoming flesh.
Emmanuel, God with us, remind us of your presence throughout the year, as sometimes we lose sight, we forget, and we feel alone, lost and forsaken. Remind us of your birth, your life, your death and your resurrection, as we walk the journey of our own lives. Remind us that we do not walk this journey alone.
In the name of Christ, the Light of the World, the Incarnate God, we pray. Amen.
When Jesus was born he became like us in all things but sin. May we who have been reborn in him be free from our sinful ways. Let us say together a confession and prayer for renewal in confidence that through Christ our sins are forgiven.
Child of Bethlehem, be born in us today: forgive us, heal us, make us new; then we will join the angels in singing your praises this Christmas Day and all the days to come, in the name Of Christ. Amen.
VIDEO: “The story of Christmas”
Watch this delightful video which tells the story of Christmas, as told by the children at St. Paul’s Church, Auckland, New Zealand. The video is below and a link to YouTube is also included in case you have problems connecting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWq60oyrHVQ&t=1s
BIBLE READINGS
The readings for today are from from Luke 2:1–20 OR John 1:1-14.
Luke 2:1–20 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph 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. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And 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.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth, peace among those whom he favours!”
When 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.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
OR
John 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Reflection
The speaker is Rev. Tim Jensen. There is a video of the message in the window below.
Prayer & blessing
Go to the video below for the ‘Prayers of the people’, which are led by Ros Robinson. The video includes the Lord’s Prayer & a closing blessing by Keith.
PS. The chirping was from a genuine flesh & blood bird!
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
HYMN: “O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL”
The closing hymn is, “O come, all ye faithful” (2016 ‘Big Sing’ at the Royal Albert Hall, London). The video is below and a link to YouTube is also included in case you have problems connecting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSDgapVwyD0
POSTLUDE:
Today’s postlude is, ‘Maker, made a child’, courtesy of Emumusic. The video is below and a link to YouTube is also included in case you have problems connecting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-n-nem1_3A
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