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An all-age worship service for Christmas Day
Friday 25th December 2020
Prepared by Rev Helen Gardner
God is with us! On Christmas Day
Welcome: The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light!
Hymn 196 StF
Come and join the celebration, it’s a very special day;
Come and share our jubilation, there’s a new king born today
See the shepherds hurry down to Bethlehem,
gaze in wonder at the Son of God who lay before them:
Wise men journey, led to worship by a star,
Kneel in homage, bringing precious gifts from lands afar, so,
“God is with us” round the world the message bring,
He is with us, “welcome” all the bells on earth are pealing:
Prayers:
God of love! You came among us to show your love! We rejoice in the beauty of your world, a world of constant renewal, but above all, we rejoice in the knowledge of your coming among us to show that love.
Thank you for all that you have given us and above all for the embracing love of your Son Jesus, for his example of how to love and his death on the cross, but above all, for his glorious resurrection.
Forgive us that we are so unworthy of your gifts, we take for granted your goodness and turn to you only when we are conscious of need. We are self-willed and indolent. Forgive us Lord and help us each to know you better and love you more.
And so, in the knowledge of your love and acceptance, we come to you in joyous adoration of our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Word of God.
Have you opened any gifts yet? Have you been given any that especially pleased you? The first people we are told about who learned about the gift of Jesus were the shepherds and this is the account that St Luke gives us.
Gospel Reading Luke 2: 8-20
Hymn 204 StF
In the bleak midwinter
frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow,
snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter,
long ago.
Heaven cannot hold him,
nor earth sustain;
heav’n and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter
a stable-place sufficed
God, the Lord almighty,
Jesus Christ.
Angels and archangels
may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim
thronged the air-
but his mother only,
in her maiden bliss,
worshipped the beloved
with a kiss.
What can I give him,
poor as I am?
if I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
if I were a wise man
I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him-
give my heart.
Story
Curly’s adventure 
Hymn 191 StF:
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love you, lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay
Close by me for ever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
And fit us for heaven, to live with you there
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12
Prayers of intercession:
We thank you, Lord, for all your gifts and yet we dare to ask for more!
We pray for our nation: for all those who carry the responsibility of government, for all the medical services, for those in any kind of need.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer
We pray that the meaning of Christmas may enter the hearts of all and awaken us all to a true knowledge of your love.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer
We pray for all who are in any kind of trouble and for those who feel alone, for those who need to reach out to you.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer
As we prepare to go our separate way may we please keep our eyes fixed firmly on the baby in the manger.
Accept our adoration and our service to others in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour. Amen
Blessing:
May the God of love, who came to share our life, that we might live with him for ever. Bless each one of us, now and always. Amen
Hymn 212 StF
O come all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him,
Born the King of angels:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord!
True God of true God,
Light of light eternal,
Lo, he abhors not the virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father,
Begotten, not created:
See how the shepherds,
Summoned to his cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw night to gaze;
We too will thither
Bend our joyful footsteps:
Lo, star-led chieftains,
Magi, Christ adoring,
Offer him incense, gold, and myrrh;
We to the Christ-child
Bring our hearts’ oblations:
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above:
“Glory to God
In the highest:”
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be glory given:
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing: