Welcome: –

Liturgy for Christmas Day: –

The Christ candle is lit.

The Apostle John writes:

“And the Word became a Human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us.”  (John 1: 14) 

‘The Christmas scale’

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn ‘Joy to the world! The Lord is come’ 

AHB224  TiS268

Isaac Watts

Prayer  

Creator God, you who loves us more than we can know,

who chose us from the very beginning to be family, we praise your holy name.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Word become flesh,

who dwelt among us and was sacrificed for us, we praise your holy name.

Holy Spirit, you who enlivens and inspires,

who is present and is the power in our lives, we praise your holy name.

God of glory, your splendour shines from a manger in Bethlehem,

where the Light of the World is humbly born into the darkness of Human night.

Open our eyes to Christ’s presence in the shadows of our World,

so that we, like him, may become beacons of your justice, and defenders of all for whom there is no room.

Light of life, you came in the flesh, born into Human pain and joy,

so as to give us power to be your children.

Grant us faith, O Christ, to see your presence among us,

so that all of Creation may sing new songs of gladness and walk in the way of peace.

We praise you, Almighty God, for you have visited your people in one like us in all things but sin,

and in Human fragility you have revealed the face of divinity.

Gather into your arms all the peoples of the World, so that in your embrace we may find blessing, and peace,

and the fullness of our inheritance as your daughters and sons.  Amen.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn ‘Unto us a boy is born’ 

TiS293  AHB218

anonymous Latin C15th

translated by Percy Dearmer

Bible Readings

Micah 5:

2  The LORD says,

“Bethlehem in Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose origins are far back in the past, from ancient times.”

3  So the LORD will abandon His People to their enemies until the woman who is to give birth has her son.  Then his kindred people shall return to be reunited with their fellow Israelites.  4  When he comes, he will be the shepherd of his flock and rule with the strength that comes from the LORD and with the majesty of the LORD God Himself.  And they will live securely because people all over the Earth will acknowledge his greatness,  5  and he will bring peace.

This is the Word of God.

Praise to you Almighty God.

Luke 2:

1  In those days a decree was issued by the Emperor Augustus for a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  2  This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was Governor of the Roman Province of Syria.  3  For this to take place, everyone made their way to their hometown to register.  4  So Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David, because he was a descendant of David.  5  He went there to register with Mary, who was betrothed to him.  She was expecting a child.  6  While they were there, the time came for her baby to be born,  7  and she gave birth to a son, her firstborn.  She wrapped him in swaddling cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them to lodge in the house.

This is the Gospel of our Lord.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Message

Bethlehem in Judea is the accepted birthplace of Jesus.  Why is that so?

  Principally, because the Gospel writers, Matthew and Luke, say so in their writings, for two complementary reasons.

  Luke writes:

“Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David.  Jospeh went there because he was a descendant of David.  He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him.  While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby.”  (Luke 2: 4 – 6) 

  It all seems straightforward.  Bethlehem in Judea must have been the birthplace of Joseph, who must have owned property in Bethlehem in Judea or shared ownership of an ancestral home in Bethlehem with his wider family.  These were the grounds that necessitated Joseph and Mary journeying from Nazareth to Bethlehem so as to comply with the requirements of the Roman census.

  Matthew writes:

“Jesus, (the Messiah), was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, (in line with the prophesy from the Prophet Micah, who wrote),

“Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least of the leading cities of Judah; for from you will come a Leader who will guide my people Israel.”  (Micah 5: 2,  Matthew 2: 5 & 6) 

  Matthew is establishing that the grounds for accepting that Jesus is the long-expected Messiah of God are that the events surrounding the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are fulfilling numerous Old Testament prophesies concerning God’s Messiah, including his birthplace, Bethlehem in Judea.

  Yet, several web-sites dispute this understanding, saying such things as, if Mary was in the ninth month of her pregnancy, it was unlikely that they made the perilous journey to Bethlehem in Judea to register for the census, but, rather, it is more sensible if we accept that they journeyed to a Bethlehem in Galilee, only a short distance away from Nazareth. 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0FEut8gRIs )  ,

  Or that Critical Scholars (of the Bible) have known for a long time that Matthew and Luke’s birth accounts are (misleading and are) deliberately constructed to get Jesus of Nazareth to Bethlehem (so as to give the impression to later readers that his birth fulfilled) Messianic expectations. 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdBIvKXWx6U&ab_channel=TabletsandTemples) 

  However, other websites claim that the early Church, from as far back as the second century AD, testified that Bethlehem in Judea was the birthplace of Jesus. 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVJbzKrwezI&ab_channel=Sergio%26RhodainIsrael )

  I, personally, don’t doubt the validity of the Gospel accounts of Matthew and Luke, but, at the same time, I would contend that, unless we are very careful, such considerations about establishing the actual birthplace of Jesus can lead us away from what is the important message about the Nativity of Jesus.

Poem

Let us listen and reflect on this poem titled “Noel”, composed by the author J.R.R. Tolkien in 1936, and what it says to us about the Nativity of Jesus.

 

Message

  What J.R.R. Tolkien is telling us in his poem is that the birth of Jesus was a time of great rejoicing.

“then all the bells in Heaven and Earth

together at midnight rang.”  (verse 6, lines 3 & 4)  ,

“Mary sang in this World below:

they heard her song arise “  (verse 7, lines 1 & 2)  ,

“Glad is the World and fair this night”  (verse 9, line 1) 

  And for what reason justifies all of this rejoicing?

“that God on Earth is come”  (verse 10, line 4) 

  The anticipated coming of God, in the person of His chosen servant, and all that it meant for God’s blessing and peace to Humanity, was fulfilled.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn “Good Christians all rejoice” 

TiS313  AHB238  MHB143

John Neale

Message

The royal line of David, as the effective leaders of the People of Israel, disappeared with the descendants of Zerubbabel at the beginning of the 5^th century BC.  The Kings who reigned over Judah and Galilee at the time of Jesus were the descendants of Antipas, an Idumean from the ancient land of Edom, located to the south of Israel, who were appointed rulers of Palestine by the Roman conquerors.

  If a descendant of King David was no longer the ruler of Palestine, through whom, then, was God going to act in the World?

Let us listen and reflect on this poem titled “Christmas” by the former Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, Sir John Betjeman in 1954.

Poem

 

The bells of waiting Advent ring,

the Tortoise stove is lit again

and lamp-oil light across the night

has caught the streaks of winter rain

in many a stained-glass window sheen

from Crimson Lake to Hookers Green.

The holly in the windy hedge

and round the Manor House the yew

will soon be stripped to deck the ledge,

the altar, font and arch and pew,

so that the villagers can say

“The church looks nice.” on Christmas Day.

Provincial Public Houses blaze,

the Corporation tramcars clang,

on lighted tenements I gaze,

where paper decorations hang,

and bunting in the red Town Hall

says “Merry Christmas to you all”.

And London shops on Christmas Eve

are strung with silver bells and flowers

as hurrying clerks the City leave

to pigeon-haunted classic towers,

and marbled clouds go scudding by

the many-steepled London sky.

And girls in slacks remember Dad,

and oafish louts remember Mum,

and sleepless children’s hearts are glad.

and Christmas-Morning bells say “Come!’

even to shining ones who dwell

safe in the Dorchester Hotel.

And is it true, and is it true

this most tremendous tale of all,

seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,

a Baby in an ox’s stall ?

The Maker of the stars and sea

become a Child on earth for me ?

And is it true? For if it is,

no loving fingers tying strings

around those tissued fripperies,

the sweet and silly Christmas things,

bath salts and inexpensive scent

and hideous tie so kindly meant,

No love that in a family dwells,

no carolling in frosty air,

nor all the steeple-shaking bells

can with this single Truth compare –

that God was man in Palestine

and lives today in Bread and Wine.

Message

  The prophesies about the coming Immanuel (the coming of God among His People) were intertwined with a promised descendant of the royal line of David.  (Genesis 49: 10, Numbers 24: 17, Psalm 110: 1 – 4, Isaiah 9: 2 – 7, 11: 1 – 5, Zechariah 12: 10) 

  Therefore, the future work of God fulfilling His will and purpose in the lives for the People of Israel, and, ultimately, in the lives of all of Humanity, did not involve the Herodian line of rulers, although they were the political leaders in Palestine.  Nor did it involve the Pharisees, or the Chief Priests, or the Teachers of the Law, although they were the social and religious leaders in Palestine. 

  God was choosing to fulfill His will and purpose in the World through a son to be born of a virgin, a child of the royal line of David, who will be born in the birthplace of David, Bethlehem in Ephrathah, in the land of Judea.  (Isaiah 9: 6, Micah 5: 2 & 3) 

  But the mystery surrounding the birth of this child was, how God was going to fulfill His will and purpose in the world, if it wasn’t through the current political or social or religious spheres of people’s lives.

  It was the Prophet Isaiah who declared that God’s mighty Saviour would be “put to death for the sins of people”, would “endure the suffering that should have been ours” because of our sins, and whose death would the sacrifice to bring forgiveness of (our) sins”.  (Isaiah 53: 4 to 10) 

  This was something that was difficult to grasp for those who witnessed the birth of Mary’s son, because no-one could imagine how this would pan out in the future life of such a small child, born to poor parents in an insignificant town in the backwater of the Roman Empire.

  And, yet, this message was corroborated by the words of Zechariah at the birth of his son, John, when he said of John,

“You will be called a Prophet of the Most High God.  You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare His road for Him, to tell His People that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven.”  (Luke 1: 76 & 77) 

  Sir John Betjeman, in his poem, “Christmas”, wrote of how the rejoicing at the birth of Jesus was directly linked to the revelation by God of His love for Humanity, and that this love would be manifest in the sacrifice of His Son on the cross and of his subsequent resurrection, for the forgiveness of the sins of all people, something that we regularly remember and celebrate with the “bread and wine” of Communion.

  The celebration of Christmas is certainly driven by the reality “that God on Earth is come” in Palestine just over two millennia ago, but it involved far more than that, it involved what was the intent of God coming on Earth, of how God achieved His will and purpose to reconcile Humanity to Himself.

  At Christmas, may our focus not be on the “tissued fripperies, the sweet and silly Christmas things” to which Sir John Betjeman refers, but on the greatest gift of all, God’s Son, who exemplified the magnitude of the lovingkindness of God for each of us.  Amen.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn “Thou didst leave thy throne”  AHB206  MHB150

Emily Elliott

Prayer

“A Prayer for Christmas Morning”

  The Day of joy returns, Father in Heaven, and crowns another year with peace and goodwill. 

  Help us rightly to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the Magi.

  Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the World.

  Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.

  Deliver us from evil, by the blessing that Jesus Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts.

  Keep us from becoming calloused with the familiarity of the Christmas story, and, instead, give us the meekness of those who came from near and far to kneel in the lowly stable to adore the Christ child.

  May the Christmas morning make us happy to be your children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our bed with grateful thoughts, forgiven and forgiving.  Amen.

Henry Van Dyke

Offering

Offering Prayer  (for Christmas Bowl) 

All good gifts come from you, Almighty God, for you have promised to give us the things we need.

We ask that you bless these Christmas Bowl gifts, that, joining with the contributions of others, they may comfort the needy, help relieve suffering, and offer hope to the lost.  We pray this in your holy name.  Amen.

Prayers for Others

Child of Bethlehem, smile upon the Church all over the World:

may the Holy Spirit guide us, and grant that we may pursue truth, unity, peace and righteousness.  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Child of Bethlehem, smile upon all those charged with the responsibility of government, both here in Australia and all over the World,

that they might rule in peace, justice and mercy, that people may honour one another and seek the common good.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Child of Bethlehem, smile upon those who will not enjoy Christmas this season,

that you will bring blessing and hope to those for whom life is a struggle for survival as a result of poverty, famine, disease, war, or the greed of others, and for those striving to rebuild their lives after the devastation of natural disasters and of terrorism.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Child of Bethlehem, smile upon all who are troubled, anxious or sick in mind, body or spirit and for those who love and care for them.

Give them courage and hope in their troubles and healing and wholeness.  Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Loving God, we pray for Peace,

that the advent of the Prince of Peace may enlighten minds and hearts to resolve disputes with words and deeds of compassion, and turn Human hearts away from a prevalence for the use of violence and power and privilege.

Jesus Christ, born in a stable,

be with the poor and homeless this Christmas time.

Jesus Christ, born of Mary,

be with young mothers across the World this Christmas time.

Jesus Christ, visited by Shepherds,

be with all who have to work this Christmas, and those who long to work.

Jesus Christ, who became a refugee,

be with those who fear for their lives, and those who have left homes and families this Christmas.  As we pray, live and give; shine your everlasting light into this troubled World of ours.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil,

For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

Now and forever.  Amen.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn “Silent night, holy night”

TiS311  AHB236  MHB123

Verse 1 of 6

Silent Night! Holy Night!

All is calm, all is bright

round yon godly tender pair

Holy infant with curly hair

sleep in heavenly peace,

sleep in heavenly peace.

Verse 2 of 6

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.

Verse 3 of 6

Silent Night! Holy Night!

Brought the World gracious light

down from Heaven’s golden height

comes to us the glorious sight:

Jesus, as one of Mankind,

Jesus, as one of Mankind.

Verse 4 of 6

Silent Night! Holy Night!

By his love, by his might

God our Father us has graced

as a brother gently embraced

Jesus, all nations on Earth,

Jesus, all nations on Earth.

Verse 5 of 6

Silent Night! Holy Night!

Long ago, minding our plight

God the World from misery freed

in the dark age of our fathers decreed:

all the World is redeemed,

all the World is redeemed.

Verse 6 of 6

Silent Night! Holy Night!

Shepherds first saw the sight

of angels singing alleluia

calling clearly near and far:

Christ, the Saviour is born,

Christ the Saviour is born.

Joseph Mohr

Translated by Bettina Klein © 1998 Silent Night Museum

Benediction    

“There’s a song in the air”

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!

There’s tumult of joy o’er the wonderful birth,

for the virgin’s sweet boy is the Lord of the Earth.

Aye, the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,

for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

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!

We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song

that comes down through the night from a Heavenly throng.

Aye, we shout to the lovely evangel they bring,

and we greet in his cradle our Saviour and King.

Josiah Holland

(from Jesus  The Reason for the Season by Honor Books p77)

And may the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rest upon you and remain with you always.  Amen.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Benediction Song

“Rejoice and be Merry”  Carols for Choirs 1 number 32

Verse 1 of 1

Rejoice and be merry in songs and in mirth!

O praise our Redeemer, all mortals on Earth!

For this is the birthday of Jesus our King,

who brought us salvation, his praises we’ll sing.

Traditional English Carol