Welcome!
O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
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!
God of God, Light of Light
Lo, He abhors not the Virgin’s womb
Very God
Begotten, not created
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
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!
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be 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!
READING
Isaiah 9 v1-7
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 the dark streets shineth
the everlasting light
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight
O morning stars together
proclaim the holy birth
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to all the earth
For Christ is born of Mary
and gathered all above
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wondering love
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
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
READING
Luke 2 v 8-20
WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
all seated on the ground
the angel of the Lord came down
and glory shone around
“Fear not,” said he – for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you and all mankind
To you in David’s town this day
is born of David’s line
a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be the sign
The heavenly babe you there shall find
to human view displayed,
all meanly wrapped in swathing bands
and in a manger laid.”
Thus spoke the angel, and forthwith
appeared a shining throng
of angels praising God, who thus
addressed their joyful song
“All glory be to God on high,
and to the earth be peace;
goodwill henceforth from highest heaven
begin and never cease!”
HOPE AGAINST HOPE
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss.
This is true: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him, shall not die, but have everlasting life.
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination,
hunger and poverty, death and destruction.
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and life abundant.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word,
and that war and destruction rule forever.
This is true: For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given,
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
the Everlasting, the Prince of Peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil
who seek to rule the world.
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth,
and lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to rely on others to be the peacemakers.
This is true: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and daughters shall prophesy,
your young shall see visions,
and your old shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for justice and peace are not meant for this earth and for this history.
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that true worshippers
shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
So let us enter approach Christmas in hope, even hope against hope.
Let us see visions of love and peace and justice.
Let us encourage each other with humility, with joy, and with faith,
Through Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
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
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing
Joy to the Earth! The Saviour reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods,
rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders, of His love!
Joy to the world! The Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing
Refreshments will be served in the Cornmill. Please stay for a while and have a chat!
Thank you to everyone who took part and made this event possible.
“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Gospel of Matthew 1 v 21