DECEMBER 14, 2025 5PM
Dear Friends,
Tonight, we gather to remember the story that changed everything, the birth of Jesus, God’s great gift to us. Through music, Scripture, and the joy of seeing Peachtree’s children bring this story alive, may you and your family be drawn once again into the wonder of God’s generosity and grace.
The beauty of Christmas has a way of slowing us down and opening our hearts. From the glow of lights, to the familiar carols, this season reminds us that God steps into our world with goodness, hope, and a love that meets us right where we are. My prayer is that, in the midst of all the celebration, you will know the presence of Christ and rejoice in the gift of Emmanuel.
For decades, our Christmas offering has helped extend God’s welcome to families in need through Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. This long tradition continues again this year as we’ll build our 163rd home. Your generosity offers more than shelter. It offers stability, hope, and a reminder of the promise that Psalm 23:6 proclaims, that we may all “dwell in the house of the Lord forever”.
Starting in January, we will begin our new series Cultivate: life together in the spirit. Together, we’ll discover how to cultivate the soil of our lives so the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control, can grow within us and bring us closer to God
Thank you for celebrating the birth of Christ with us. May his joy, peace, and light fill your hearts and homes this Christmas season.
With Christmas joy, Dr. Richard Kannwischer
Peachtree Church
Atlanta, GA
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
LUKE 2:1–7
STRIKING OF THE HOUR WELCOME
Congregational Carol
O Come, All Ye Faithful ............ ADESTES FIDELES
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!
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation! Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all 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!
ISAIAH 9:2-3, 6-7
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, And the government shall be upon his shoulders, And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
ISAIAH 9:6
Angel Song
There’s A New Song in the Air
There’s a new song in the air!
Sing a glad Noel!
There is music everywhere.
Come, O come, Emmanuel!
There’s a new star in the night,
Sing a glad Noel!
Like a candle burning bright.
Come, O come, Emmanuel!
Let us all prepare the way.
Lift your eyes above.
This could be the happy day. God sends us His love.
Come and join our joyful sound.
Sing a glad Noel!
Spread the good news all around.
Come, O come, Emmanuel!
JOSEPH MARTIN
Rise and shine, prepare the way.
Celebrate, for God is with us!
Rise and shine, there is news to tell.
Soon we greet Emmanuel!
We have waited in the night
Dreaming of a golden morning.
Hoping, longing for the light, Praying for the Promised One.
Rise and shine, prepare the way.
Celebrate, for God is with us!
Rise and shine, there is news to tell.
Soon we greet Emmanuel!
There’s a new song in the air!
Sing a glad Noel!
There is music everywhere.
Come, O come, Emmanuel!
Emmanuel! Emmanuel!
LUKE 1:26-38
He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, And of his kingdom there will be no end.
LUKE 1:33
Congregational Carol
O Come, O Come Emmanuel ........
O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!
LUKE 1:39-47
My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
LUKE 1:46-47
An Angel Brought the News to Mary ANNE AND WILLIAM MCNAIR Angel Song
An angel brought the news to Mary. An angel brought the news of a child: “God has chosen you to bear a child.”
“I do not understand,” said Mary. “I do not understand, but I know God has chosen me to bear a child.”
Do not be afraid, dear Mary. Do not be afraid to bear this child.
I am not afraid, I am not afraid, I am not afraid to bear this child.
The angel went away from Mary. The angel went away but Mary stayed And pondered in her heart the news that day.
MATTHEW 1:18-23
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, Because he will save his people from their sins.
MATTHEW 1:21
Angel Song
Joseph’s Carol ......................
RUTTER
Long and weary was the journey, Hard and dark the road we trod; Deep enfolded in the stillness of the night It seemed I heard the voice of God:
“Fear not, Joseph, weep not, Mary, Travel onward through the darkness of night; Bethlehem will see his glory: Christ, Emmanuel, the Lord of light.”
Journey’s end was just a stable bare, Cold and lonely for a birth; Ox and ass were our companions there When God revealed himself on earth.
“Fear not, Joseph, weep not, Mary, Travel onward through the darkness of night; Bethlehem will see his glory: Christ, Emmanuel, the Lord of light.”
LUKE 2:1, 3, 4-5; MICAH 5:2, 4-5
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth, and He shall be the one of peace.
MICAH 5:4-5
Congregational Carol
O Little Town of Bethlehem ...............
ST. LOUIS
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.
LUKE 2:6-7
And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
LUKE 2:6-7
Congregational Carol
Away in a Manger .......................
MUELLER
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head; The stars in the sky looked down where He lay; The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
LUKE 2:8-15
Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which shall be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
LUKE 2:10-11
Angel Song
Glory
to God ....................
TERRY D. TAYLOR
Glory to God, sing glory to God.
Glory to God in the highest!
Peace on earth, goodwill to all!
Glory to God in the highest!
Good shepherds, now rejoice
With heart and soul and voice!
Hear the news
the angels say: “Jesus Christ is born today!
You will find the newborn Babe, So humbly in a manger laid.”
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
Glory to God in the highest!
Congregational Carol
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing ......... MENDELSSOHN
Hark! the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild: God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
LUKE 2:16-18, 20
When the shepherds saw this, they went out and made known what had been told them about the child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.
LUKE 2:17-18, 20
Shepherd Song
African Noel .....................
ANDRÉ J. THOMAS
Sing noel, sing noel, Noel, noel!
Sing noel, sing noel, Noel, noel!
Sing we all noel! Sing we all noel!
O come, ye people, gather near To hear the news of good cheer: The King of Kings, the Lamb of God Is born today in Bethlehem: Sing Noel! Sing Noel!
Congregational Carol
Go, Tell It on the Mountain ............. GO TELL IT
(REFRAIN:) Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere, Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night, Behold, throughout the heavens, there shone a holy light. (REFRAIN)
Down in a lowly manger, the humble Christ was born, And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. (REFRAIN)
MATTHEW 2:1-11
When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. Upon entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
MATTHEW 2:10-11
Congregational Carol
We
Three Kings ............ THREE KINGS OF
ORIENT
We three kings of Orient are bearing gifts, we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
O…Star of Wonder, star of night! Star with royal beauty bright!
Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light!
THE OFFERING
Congregational Carol
Angels We Have Heard on High .
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Come to Bethlehem and see
. GLORIA
Him whose birth the angels sing!
Come adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the newborn king!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!