Call to
Worship:
ISAIAH
9: 2 – 3 and 6 - 7 The people
who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
You have given them great joy, Lord; you have made them happy. Because a
child is born to us! A son is given to
us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, “Wonderful Counsellor,”
“Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,” Prince of Peace.”
7His royal power will
continue to grow; his kingdom will
always be at peace. He will rule as King
David's successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the
end of time. The Lord Almighty is
determined to do all this.
Glory to the Father,
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning
it is now
and will be forevermore! Amen.
Prayer of praise.
Eternal God, most blessed and most holy,
whose glory, majesty and praise are sung by humans on
earth and all who live in heaven:
we worship you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
only Lord of heaven and earth.
Grant us your mercy, your grace and your joy as we
remember the birth of Jesus Christ today.
For forgiveness of sins.
Holy Father, you come to us through our fellowship
with your Son.
As we approach Your presence today, and as we behold
Your glory, we sincerely repent of all our sins.
We have sinned against You in thought, word, deed and
omission.
Lord, have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep your law.
Gracious Father, for the sake of Your Son Jesus
Christ,
forgive us all our sins, cleanse us from all impurity of mind and
body,
and help us from now on to serve You in newness of
life.
Father,
have mercy.
Christ
have mercy.
God
have mercy.
Amen.
Prayers
of Intercession:
Almighty God, holy Father of us all,
on this day when we celebrate the earthly birth of
your Messiah,
the birth into our world of the Alpha and the Omega,
the beginning and the end,
the birth of the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace, as a
man,
we ask you to provide both us and your church on earth
with all our needs
and help us that we may grow into the stature of the
fullness of Christ.
You entered our world as a Child.
Now we pray for parents to educate children in your
love and grace,
grandparents and families to give love and security to
all children,
and that all abuse and all the sadness of children may
come to an end.
God our Father, you are the source of all truth and
peace.
Hear our prayers for the Church of Christ today, on
Christmas Day 2013.
and enable us to manifest the unity of the Body of
Christ to the world
to the honour and glory of your Name
We pray for all into whose lives the Word is born, and
therefore receive Jesus, the King and Saviour of the world,
that they may bear witness to your salvation and
compassion,
and share your love with those who are in many kinds
of need.
Guide us, that the peace to which you call the family
of God
may be realized more and more in our beloved country
and amongst all people on earth.
Take away from us everything that hinders the advancement
of your truth;
restore those who are remorseful;
strengthen and confirm the faithful;
comfort and heal the sick and the afflicted!
console those who are lonely and sad!
Listen to the cry of everyone that is hungry!
Bring joy, hope, faith and love into the world,
through Jesus Christ,
who was born to save us from ourselves and save us
from our enemies and from your enemies, dear Lord.
Enlightenment.
We pray for all who preach, proclaim and spread the
gospel today, and may your Word, even Jesus Christ, come to us anew today, as
we read your Word.
May the preaching of your Word indeed be the Word of
God to us on this Christmas day.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Hymns
for Christmas Day:
To the
music of: Good king Wenceslas
Jesus
Christ was born for me,
on that happy morning!
He has come to set me free,
set my spirit soaring!
Brightly shone the angels’ light,
singing, giving honour.
May His birth bring me delight:
Christ became my brother!
Virgin Mary was so glad,
God had shown her mercy!
It’s the Son of God she had,
born in splendid glory!
She in faith accepts the word,
God’s own proclamation:
“I’m the maiden of the Lord,
serving incarnation!”
Let now all who love the Lord,
gladly bring Him honour.
In our lives, is born the Word,
by His Spirit’s favour!
Jesus Christ remains the same,
as today, forever!
‘Cause He one of us became,
He’ll forsake us never!
(Lyrics: Andries Combrink, 2008)
To the music of:
Glorious things of Thee are spoken.
Those who walked in clouded darkness,
they have seen a wondrous
light.
Those who owned death’s
gloomy likeness,
were awakened from their
plight.
God enlarged his nation’s
power,
he increased their
heartfelt joy!
As through holy angels’
worship,
God’s light is through us
deployed.
People walked in hazy
darkness,
then they saw a marvellous
light.
Prince of Peace, it is your
likeness
shining in our world, so
bright.
Wonderful and glorious
Counsellor,
mighty God, yes you alone,
reign forever, gracious
Father,
King on David’s heavenly
throne.
Christ, the source of
inmost pleasure,
King of heaven – King on
earth!
Jesus, Lord and godly
treasure,
we too worship at your
birth.
Shepherds shared the
Christmas story
with God’s angels in that
night.
And, like Mary’s silent
worship,
we pray mutely by your
light!
(Lyrics: Andries Combrink, 2011)
To the
Music of: Praise my soul the King of
heaven.
Angels
in the highest heaven,
sing the glory of the Child,
Of this time of grace and glory,
time of love and mercy mild.
Sing Hosanna! Sing Hosanna!
Praise our Saviour, Son of God!
As the shepherds watched their flocks graze,
they heard angels for them sing.
On the fields resounds the chorus
for a Child that gladness brings.
Sing Hosanna! Sing Hosanna!
Praise our Saviour, Son of God!
Wise men bring Him gifts and worship,
gifts to honour Christ the King.
He’s the newborn Lord from heaven,
He’s the Child that peace us brings.
Sing Hosanna! Sing Hosanna!
Praise our Saviour, Son of God!
(Lyrics:
Andries Combrink, 2012)
To the
music of “Rock of ages, cleft for me”.
Who is
Jesus, do you say?
Many claim He is Thé Way.
Peter calls Him Christ and Lord.
John says He’s the Son of God.
Paul knows Him as source of grace,
states through Him, we’ll win the race.
Luke says He’s a virgin’s boy.
Mark reveals He’s heaven’s joy!
Gospel names Him: Only One.
God the Father calls Him Son!
Spirit says He’s Saviour, Lord,
Emmanuel, life giving Word!
Jesus Christ, eternal King,
of your Advent, gladly sing!
All your people love you Lord!
All your Church in one accord,
calls you Jesus and our Friend,
’mighty Christ, until the end!
(Lyrics: Andries Combrink, 2009)
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