Christmas Eve
December 24, 2025

Prelude:                                        

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

15th Century French Melody; arr. Jared Haschek

Katrina Glaze, violin; Les Holben, piano

Strings of the Cathedral of Hope Orchestra

15th Century French Melody; arr. Jared Haschek

© 2008 Melodee DeVevo Designee/Word Music, LLC/Banahama Tunes

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Advent Cry

Words and Music by Joseph M. Martin

Joe Bennett, soloist

Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra

Words and Music by Joseph M. Martin

© 2000 Malcomb Music/Shawnee Press, Inc.

**Bidding Prayer for Christmas Eve

Neil: God of the ages, on this holy night you gave us your child, the Lord of the universe wrapped in swaddling clothes, the long-expected Messiah lying in a manger.

Andria: Draw us into the mystery of your eternal love. Join our voices with those of the heavenly host, that we may sing your praises.

Jeremy: Give us a place among the shepherds, that we may find the one for whom we have waited, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

**Processional Hymn

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!

Come and behold the ruler of all angels:

O come in adoration, O come in adoration,

O come in adoration, Christ is born.

God of true God, light of light eternal,

born of the virgin, as mortal to come.

Very God, begotten, not created:

O come in adoration, O come in adoration,

O come in adoration, Christ is born.

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 in adoration, O come in adoration,

O come in adoration, Christ is born.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born to bring salvation,

Jesus to thee be all glory giv’n;

Word of Creation, now in flesh appearing:

O come in adoration, O come in adoration,

O come in adoration, Christ is born.

Words: John Francis Wade; translated by Frederick Oakeley, 1841, alt.

Music: John Francis Wade, 1743

Welcome

**Sharing of the Peace

Hebrew Lesson: Micah 5:2-5a

Our Hebrew Lesson is from the fifth chapter of the book of Micah. Hear these words:

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you will go forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore the Most High will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of this ruler’s kindred will return to the people of Israel. This one will stand and feed the flock in the strength of our God, in the majesty of the name of our Sovereign God. And they shall live secure, for this ruler will be great to the ends of the earth—this ruler will be their peace.

May God bless the hearing of these ancient words. Amen.

**Gradual

O Little Town of Bethlehem

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 God, Emmanuel.

Words: Edmund H. Sears, 1849

Music: Richard Storrs Willis, 1850

CHRISTMAS GOSPEL IN WORD AND SONG

**Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:1-7

In those days a decree went out from Emperor 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 Joseph 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 delivery. 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.

Ministry in Music:

Child of the Poor/What Child Is This?

Words: Scott Soper and William C. Dix

Music: Scott Soper and 16th Century English Melody

John Walker, soloist

Sopranos and Altos of the Sanctuary Choir

Katrina Glaze, violin; Quince Holman, cello

Les Holben, piano

Words: Scott Soper and William C. Dix

Music: Scott Soper and 16th Century English Melody

© 1993 Oregon Catholic Press (OCP)

**Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:8-14

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of God stood before them, and the glory of God 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. 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, and on earth peace, goodwill toward all!”

**Hymn

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,

And the mountains in reply, echo back their joyous strains.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?

Say what may the tidings be, which inspire your heav’nly song.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see Christ, whose birth the angels sing;

Come adore on bended knee, God, our world now entering.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Words and Music: French Carol

**Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:15-20

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.

Ministry in Music:

Huron Carol

‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime

Words: Jean de Brébeuf; trans. Jesse Edgar Middleton

Music: French Folk Melody; Arranged by Terre Johnson

Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra

Words: Jean de Brébeuf; trans. Jesse Edgar Middleton

Music: French Folk Melody; Arranged by Terre Johnson

© 2018 Birnamwood Publications/MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc.

Sermon

Offering Call

Offertory

Anthem for Christmas with Emmanuel

Words and Music by Gloria Gaither and Michael W. Smith

Arranged by David Hamilton

Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra

© 1989 Gaither Music Co/Milene Music, Inc.

Christmas Eve Communion

Sursum Corda

One: God be with you.

All: And also with you.

One: Open your hearts.

All: We open our hearts for the coming of Christ.

One: Let us give thanks and praise to God.

All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

One: And so, we praise you, Emmanuel, God among us, as we celebrate your birth: Mary’s son, Child of Promise, sign of God’s constant presence.

Emmanuel, God among us,

All: We give you thanks and praise.

One: Held safely in your mother’s arms, one of the weak in a land taken by those who were strong; welcomed by fabled visitors from afar, and by awe-struck locals; fleeing danger at home, and finding refuge in a strange land:

Emmanuel, God among us,

All: We give you thanks and praise.

One: As one of the poor, you taught us to share what we have with others. With nowhere to call home, you taught us to welcome all to our table.

Emmanuel, God among us,

All: We give you thanks and praise.

One: Without ears to hear or eyes to see, those with much to lose tried to destroy you; but God’s constant love broke death’s hold, and you became our way into divine life.

Emmanuel, God among us,

All: We give you thanks and praise.

One: And so, with all who love and serve you, following your path on earth, we join our voices in the song of the angels.

Sanctus

Holy, holy, God, you are holy. Ruler of the sea and sky.

Angel hosts above adore you. Earth sings out its endless cry:

“Hail, hosanna in the highest!”

“Peace on earth,”

the heavens reply.

Words adapted from the Liturgy by David Moldenhauer

Music: French Carol, 17th Century

Words of Institution

Prayer of Consecration

Invitation to Communion

Music during Communion

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:

“Peace on the earth, good will to all, from heav’n the news we bring.”

The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

For lo, the days are hast’ning on, by prophets seen of old,

When with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold,

When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling,

And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.

Words: Edmund H. Sears, 1849

Music: Richard Storrs Willis, 1850

Away In a Manger

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.

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 side until morning is nigh.

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: Anonymous (v. 1); John T. McFarland (v. 3)

Music: James R. Murray, 1887

O Little Town of Bethlehem

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.

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 and anthems ring, of peace to all on earth.

Words: Edmund H. Sears, 1849

Music: Richard Storrs Willis, 1850

**Emmanuel

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, your name is called Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us, your name is called Emmanuel.

Words and Music: Bob McGee

© 1975 C.A. Music/C.A. Records, Inc.

**Prayer of Thanksgiving 

Lighting the Christ Candle and Sharing the Light of Christ

Hymn:

O Holy Night

Choir: O holy night! The stars are brightly shining;

it is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

 ‘til he appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope—the weary world rejoices,

for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

ALL: Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!

O night, divine, O night when Christ was born!

O night, O holy night, O night divine!

 **Christ is the Lord! O praise his name forever!

His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

Words: Placide Cappeau, 1847;

Translated by John S. Dwight

Music: Adolphe Charles Adam

**Hymn:

Silent Night, Holy 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.

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!

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.

Words: Joseph Mohr, 1818; Translated by J. Freeman Young and Anonymous

Music: Franz Xavier Gruber, 1818

Christmas Challenge:

The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman

When the song of the angels is stilled,

when the star in the sky is gone, when the wanderers are home,

when the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry,

to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations,

to bring peace among people, to make music in the heart.

**Closing Hymn:

Joy to the World

Joy to the world! the Lord is come; let earth rejoice and sing!

Let ev'ry heart prepare a room, and heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and nature sing, and heaven,

and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; let earth its songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

Christ rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove

The glories of God's righteousness, and wonders of God's love,

And wonders of God's love, and wonders, wonders of God's love.

Words: Isaac Watts based on Psalm 100, 1719

Music: G.F. Handel, adapted by Lowell Mason

**Benediction

Postlude and Pealing of the Bells

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