Christmas Eve: December 24, 2016

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Saturday, December 24, 2016: Christmas Eve

  • 1 Today's Theme
  • 2 Preparing Our Hearts
  • 3 Praising Our God
  • 4 Listening to His Voice
  • 5 Responding in Faith
  • 6 Departing to Serve
  • 7 For Your Weekly Journey
  • A Savior Is Born This Day

    Luke 2.1-20

    When Caesar Augustus decreed that all the world’s population should be registered, all people went to their own hometown to be counted. Joseph went up from Galilee to the city of David, Bethlehem, with Mary, his betrothed wife who was pregnant. While there, the time came for her to give birth to her firstborn son, whom she wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, for there was no place for them in the inn.

    At that time there where shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their sheep by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, who were terrified. The angel told them not to be afraid, for he was bringing to them good news of great joy for all people. On that day, in the city of David, he said,a Savior was born who was Christ the Lord. In the birth of Jesus, the long-awaited promise of God to send a conqueror over death, sin, and the curse has been fulfilled. In his birth, a Savior was born.

  • Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

    Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

    ~ Evangelical Lutheran Worship
    (Conference of Bishops, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, p. 376)

    Call to Worship  

    Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.

  • Te Deum Laudamus

    You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

    The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

    You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

    Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

    Gloria Patri

    Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen. 

  • Chronological Reading for the Day

    Saturday: Job 32-34

    Lectionary Readings

    Psalm: Psalm 96
    OT: Isa. 9.2-7
    Gospel: Luke 2.1-20
    NT: Titus 2.11-14

    (Click here for all readings)

  • The Apostles' Creed

    I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

    *In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

    Prayers of Confession
    Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

    Assurance of Pardon
    Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

    Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
    Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

    --Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

    Doxology (and/or closing song)
    Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
    Praise Him all creatures here below;
    Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
    Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

  • Benediction  
    O God, Who hast made this most sacred night to shine with the illumination of the True Light, grant, we beseech Thee, that, as we have known the mystery of that Light upon earth, we may also perfectly enjoy it in heaven: through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    ~ Gelasian Sacramentary, A.D. 494 (Fox, p. 213)

    Affirmation from the Psalms
    Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. [6] The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? [7] The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

    ~ Psalm 118.5-7

    Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
    Thank you, holy Father, for with the birth of Jesus the Savior of the world has come.

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