Christmas day

​We are all a little Christmas story, “Be born in us today”. God lives in each of us; each birth is a new incarnation. Every encounter with a person can be an encounter with God. 

Opening Prayer 
​Here we are, Jesus, on this Christmas Day Here you are, Lord Jesus, always ready for us. Here I am God, ready for you Here you are Emmanuel, always with us Grant us your Spirit of joy and peace.

stf 166 christmas is coming

Four candles have been lit along our Advent way and now our final candle reveals to all the world
​God is with us, God is in us.
​Emmanuel,
God is with us, God is in us.
New life is celebrated this day, Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, Saviour, the babe in a manger, Redeemer of
the world light and life and love for the world. Emmanuel,
God is with us, God is in us.
​Jesus born for us, each and every one of us. Not just for shepherds and for wise men, not just for those he
knew then, oh yes, for them and us and evermore. Emmanuel,
God is with us, God is in us.
The extraordinary transforming the ordinary. The extraordinary making sense of the ordinary. The
extraordinary giving purpose and meaning. The extraordinary making me and making you. Emmanuel,
God is with us, God is in us. Christmas God, you have led us through Advent and brought us to the dawning of
this Christmas Day. You have transformed us and remade us, changed us, repurposed us, enlightened
and envisioned us. Our ordinary selves made new in you. We marvel, overwhelmed and speechless, at the gift of
a child who transformed the world, who offered and offers such love, such joy, such goodness, such purpose
and such life. Christmas God, we can’t now or ever thank you enough for all you have been, all you are and all you will be; transforming your people, making all things new, redeeming and blessing each one of us. Amen.

StF 330 - Joy to the World

Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on
them light has shined. You have multiplied exultation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with
joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden and the bar across
their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of
the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has
been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful
Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Great will be his authority, and there shall be
endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and
with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Born in the night, Mary’s child (StF 193)

Luke 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar 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 in the guest room. Now in that same 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 Saviour,
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!”

​​O little town of Bethlehem (StF 213)*

“I’d like to invite you now to watch a short film called ‘Far From Home’. This film has been made by Sanctuary Foundation, a charity that supports refugees, to show the link between the Christmas story and the lived experience of the 100 million people around the world who have been displaced. You may well recognise the family in this story!” ​

“Did you recognise the family in this story? Who do you think the baby was?
“It is easy to forget that Jesus was a refugee, born far from home in rather unsuitable temporary accommodation. But this is the story we celebrate at Christmas.  Let’s spend a moment praying for those who are far from home this Christmas, those who have lost their homes for whatever reason, and those who are currently homeless.”

Prayer: 
Lord Jesus
Thank you for the hope of Christmas. 
Even though the world can be a difficult place, 
Thank you that you understand our struggles.  
You know what it is like to live far from home,
You know what it is like to be vulnerable,  
You know what it is like to rely on others,
Thank you that you were born to become the Saviour of the World
Who now offers love, compassion and welcome to all. 
Help us, Lord Jesus, to be welcoming to those around us 
And especially to those who are far from home, or don’t have a home.  
Help us to open our hearts and homes to those who need it. 
Amen ​

Holy Jesus,
by being born one of us,
and lying humbly in a manger,
you show how much God loves the world.
Let the light of your love always shine in our hearts,
until we reach our home in heaven,
and see you on your throne of glory.
Amen.

​The Lords 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.
 Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen

Love came down at Christmas (StF 210)

Thank you God for sending Your Son on one glorious night to be born a virgin, to live a perfect life and to die on the cross for my sins. Thank you that he rose from the dead three days later and that this Christmas and every Christmas we can celebrate the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Amen.