Christmas Day Celebration

​Happy Christmas! Welcome, to you, on this Christmas morning as we celebrate the birth of Jesus! Come and join the celebration.

StF  198 Come and join the celebration

​Prayer of praise 
Lord’s prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. 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 for ever.
Amen​

Reading - Luke 2: 1-16 

​Short talk part 1 – (Jesus’ birthday)

​StF 216 - See him lying on a bed of straw

Short talk part 2 – (Jesus here with us)

StF 213 – O little town of Bethlehem 

The response of a ‘Shepherd’
Until today
I could not fit the size of God 
into my head.
I thought he was a God 
for priests and kings,
men of words and wisdom.
But today I am looking at God made small,
small enough for me,
small enough to pick up
and hold like a lamb.
I could not talk to a God in the clouds;
but today when I look and smile
and talk nonsense to this tiny thing,
I know that I am talking to God.
And it is God who smiles back at me
and waves his perfect hands in delight.
And today in your smallness, God,
you seem bigger and more powerful
to me than you ever did before.
I can hold you now,
hold you in my head
and hold you in my arms,
and know that you are holding me in yours.
(adapted* from Hay and Stardust-* tonight changed to today for use on Christmas morning)

Prayer – holding and being held - intercessions for Christmas Day

Loving Lord God as we hold the Christ child in our hearts
Your love for others flows out through us
We pray for our families and friends – especially those we won’t see this Christmas – who are far away or gone to be with you.  

We ask for healing for those we know who are sick

We pray for those who don’t know your love yet, and pray that you’ll give us the words to encourage them to turn to you.

Lord God we know that you hold all the nations in your strong arms, so we pray that the message of your love will find its way into every country this Christmas.

On this Christmas morning we know you are holding each of us in your arms. Keep us close to you, always ready to speak your words of love, and to show love by our actions to everyone, as you have loved us.

In Jesus’ Name we pray-
Amen
​

StF 202 Hark the Herald Angels sing

As we go to celebrate the rest of the day don’t forget whose birthday it is! - we remember Jesus -  Immanuel, God is with us.