LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE: Advent is over, so only the Christ Candle is lit.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:6-20
While they were there, the time came for Mary 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 favors!” 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.
LESSON
Our waiting is over! Jesus is born! The star is shining, the angels are singing, the shepherds are worshipping. Our savior is here! Mary was happy to have her beautiful baby, but she knew that not every day would be as special as his birth day. She knew that raising God’s son was going to be a challenge. But for the moment she tried to enjoy all the amazing things that had happened. When sin first came into the world, God made a promise. Even when the people forgot about God and the promise, God didn’t forget about the people. God guided the people, protected the people, and loved the people, even when they were sinful. God was faithful, and today the promise is fulfilled.
THINK OR TALK ABOUT
What is your favorite part of the Christmas story?
PRAYER
Thank you, God of the universe, for the most wonderful gift of your son, Jesus. Amen.
CHRISTMAS HYMN – Joy to the World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing
Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods,
rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
He rules the earth
with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love
CHRISTMAS PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Light of light, you have come among us.
Help us who live by your light to shine as lights in your world.
Glory to God in the highest. Amen.