Pastor: David Range
Miramar United Methodist Church
December 24, 2023
Christmas Eve service, A Service of Lessons and Carols
7:30 p.m.
You are invited to have a bell ready to ring on the chorus of “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” and also get a candle for every member of the household so that the light may be spread throughout the land as we sing “Silent Night” at the end.
*Opening Hymn 234 O Come All Ye Faithful+
1 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.
2 True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, he shuns shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;
O Come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord
3 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
O sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above:
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
4 See how the shepherds, Summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord
5 Child, for us sinners Poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, Loving us so dearly?
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord
6 Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord
WORDS: John F. Wade, ca 1743; trans. By Frederick Oakeley, 1841 and others MUSIC: John F. Wade ca. 1743; from Collections of Motetts or Antiphons, 1792
Advent Candle Lighting: LIFE
The Gospel of John starts with this proclamation: “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
Tonight, we come seeking hope, peace, joy, and love, and we find these things in a child. God made flesh as a baby in a manger. A baby who is both the beginning and the end of our salvation, who is life itself and dwells with us even now, our Emmanuel, God with us.
Together: We believe that Jesus is the Son of God. He was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judea. He was the long-awaited Messiah whose coming was prophesied. The same Jesus lives today in our hearts. He deserves our highest loyalty and total commitment. In Jesus Christ our hope is fulfilled; our peace is sealed; our joy is complete; and our love is consummated. In him we have life eternal and abundant blessings even now.
He Came Down That We May Have Hope, Peace, Joy, Love and Life
He came down that we may have hope:
He came down that we may have hope:
He came down that we may have hope:
Hallelujah forevermore.
He came down that we may have peace:
He came down that we may have peace:
He came down that we may have peace:
Hallelujah forevermore.
He came down that we may have joy;
He came down that we may have joy;
He came down that we may have joy;
Hallelujah forevermore.
He came down that we may have love;
He came down that we may have love;
He came down that we may have love;
Hallelujah forevermore.
He came down that we may have life;
He came down that we may have life;
He came down that we may have life;
Hallelujah forevermore.
First Lesson--The Prophets Promise the Savior, Numbers 24:16-17; Isaiah 7:14; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Micah 5:2, 4; Isaiah 9:6
Hymn 203 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed+
1. Hail to the Lord's Anointed, great David's greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free;
to take away transgression, and rule in equity.
2. He comes with succor speedy to those who suffer wrong;
to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying, are precious in his sight.
3. He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth;
love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in his path to birth.
Before him on the mountains, shall peace, the herald, go,
and righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow.
4. To him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;
his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.
The tide of time shall never his covenant remove;
his name shall stand forever; that name to us is love.
WORDS: James Montgomery, 1821 MUSIC: Gesangbuch der H. W. k. Hofkapelle, 1784, alt; adapt. and harm. by W. H. Monk, 1868
Second Lesson--Mary hears the news, Luke 1:26-38
Hymn 215 To a Maid Engaged to Joseph+
1 To a maid engaged to Joseph, the angel Gabriel came.
“Fear not,” the angel told her, “I come to bring good news,
Good news I come to tell you, good news, I say, good news.
2 “For you are highly favored by God the Lord of all,
Who even now is with you. You are on earth most blest,
You are most blest, most blessèd, God chose you, you are blest!”
3 But Mary was most troubled to hear the angel’s word.
What was the angel saying? It troubled her to hear,
To hear the angel’s message, it troubled her to hear.
4 “Fear not, for God is with you, and you shall bear a child.
His name shall be called Jesus, God’s offspring from on high.
And he shall reign forever, forever reign on high.”
5 “How shall this be?” said Mary, “I am not yet a wife.”
The angel answered quickly, “the power of the Most High
Will come upon you shortly, your child will be God’s child.”
6 As Mary heard the angel, she wondered at his words.
“Behold, I am your handmaid,” she said unto her God.
“So be it; I am ready according to your word.”
WORDS: Gracia Grindal, 1983 MUSIC: Rusty Edwards, 1983
Third Lesson--Mary visits Elizabeth, Luke 1:39-55
Hymn 242 Love Came Down at Christmas+
1 Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.
2 Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, Love divine;
worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign?
3 Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine;
love to God and all neighbor, love for plea and gift and sign.
WORDS: Christina G. Rossetti, 1885 MUSIC: Trad. Irish melody; harm. by David Evans, 1927; alt.
Fourth Lesson--Joseph learns the truth, Matthew 1:18-25
Hymn 217 Away in a Manger+
1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
2 The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
3 Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.
WORDS: Anon. MUSIC: James R. Murray, 1887
Fifth Lesson--Jesus is born and the angels announce the birth, Luke 2:1-14
CHILDREN’S TIME
Sixth Lesson--The shepherds find the baby, Luke 2:15-20
Hymn 220 Angels from the Realms of Glory+
1 Angels from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o'er all the earth;
ye who sang creation's story, now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn King.
2 Shepherds, in the field abiding,
watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light:
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn King.
3 Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great Desire of nations; ye have seen his natal star:
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
4 Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending, in his temple shall appear:
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
WORDS: James Montgomery, 1816 MUSIC: Henry T. Smart, 1867
Our Tithes and Offerings tonight are in aid of the United Methodist Children’s Home, Deltona, Florida.
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise him all creatures here below,
praise him above, ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
Seventh Lesson--The wise men follow the star, Matthew 2:1-11
Hymn 249 There’s a Song in the Air+
1 There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky!
There's a mother's deep prayer and a baby's low cry!
And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
2 There's a tumult of joy o'er the wonderful birth,
for the virgin's sweet boy is the Lord of the earth.
Ay! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
3 In the light of that star lie the ages impearled;
and that song from afar has swept over the world.
Every hearth is aflame, and the beautiful sing
in the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!
4 We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song
that comes down through the night from the heavenly throng.
Ay! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring,
and we greet in his cradle our Savior and King!
WORDS: Josiah G. Holland, 1874 MUSIC: Karl P. Harrington, 1904 ccli # 242496
Eighth Lesson--The family returns from Egypt and Simeon recognizes the Messiah, Matthew 2:19-23, Luke 2:25-32
Hymn 230 O Little Town of Bethlehem+
1 O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
2 For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth!
3 How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him still the dear Christ enters in.
4 O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray,
cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell.
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
WORDS: Phillips Brooks, ca. 1868 MUSIC: Lewis H. Bedner, 1868
Ninth Lesson-- The apostles explain the meaning, John 1:1, 3, and 14;
Colossians 1:15, 17; Hebrews 1:1-3, Second Corinthians 4:6, 8:9;
Philippians 2:6-7; John 1:11-12
Hymn 219 What Child Is This?+
1 What child is this who, laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the son of Mary.
2 Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the son of Mary.
3 So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
come, peasant, king, to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the son of Mary.
WORDS: William C. Dix, 1865 MUSIC: 16th cent. English melody
SERMON It doesn’t get any better than this Pastor David Range
Hymn 240 Hark the Herald Angels Sing+
(please ring your bell on the chorus only)
1 Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”
2 Christ, by highest heaven adored: Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; hail, th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”
3 Hail! the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King !”
WORDS: Charles Wesley, 1739; alt. By George Whitefield, 1753, and others MUSIC: Felix Mendelssohn, 1840: arr. by William H. Cummings, 1856
The Light Spreads into Every Hand--please light a candle in your home and pass it to your family members or a neighbor as we sing this last hymn with the love and joy the birth of Jesus brought into the world.
Hymn 239 Silent Night+
Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
2 Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake, at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
3 Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light;
Radiant beams from thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
4 Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
WORDS: Joseph Mohr, 1818, alt.; sts. 1, 2, 3 trans. by John F. Young; st. 4 trans. anon
BENEDICTION
Have a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! Next Sunday, December 31 Joint 10:00 a.m. service as it is the fifth Sunday of the month. The Youth Group will conduct the service. Watch Night service will be at 11:00 p.m. so that as we conclude at midnight, we can rejoice together for the grace of God in what has been and expect something good for what will be. On Sunday, January 7, 2024 our Sunday services at 8:30 and 11:00 will feature the Wesley Covenant Service first conducted by the founder of the Methodist Movement, the Rev. John Wesley.
Please continue to worship with us online each Sunday at 8:30 or 11:00 a.m. at http://www.miramarumc.org/ and click on the Twitter icon or on http://youtube.com/ by putting Miramar UMC in the search bar.
