ST. PETER’S Family Christmas Service December 20, 2020 at 4 p.m.
Opening Hymn 83, 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, Christ the Lord.
The Annunciation The Angel visits Mary Text from Miracle Maker, by Mary Joslin
God sent the angel Gabriel to a town named Nazareth. The angel had a message for a girl promised in marriage to a man named Joseph. The girl’s name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, “peace be with you! The Lord has greatly blessed you!” Mary was deeply troubled, and wondered what the words meant. The angel noticed the fear and wonder in her eyes and spoke again.
“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel said. “God has chosen you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be the Son of the Most High God.” Mary was perplexed. “How can I have a baby?” she asked. “I’m not even a wife yet, so how can I become a mother?” The angel’s answer was simple. “God’s power will make it happen.”
Mary thought for a moment. She had been brought up to live by God’s laws. Now she was older, that was what she herself wanted to do. If this message was truly from God, then she knew what her answer would be. “I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.
Hymn: 96, 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! Hymn: 101, Away in a manger Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright 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.
Hymns
Hymn: 109, The first Nowell The first Nowell the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel. Hymn: 100, 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. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love.
The Nativity Jesus is Born
Text from Miracle Maker, by Mary Joslin
Mary was heavily pregnant now, and so tired. Then the pains of labour were upon her – it seemed certain that the baby was going to be born while she was far away from home, here, in Bethlehem. “Oh, Joseph,” she cried. “We have travelled so far and need a place to stay, but all the rooms for travellers are full. What shall we do?”
Jose y Maria, by Everett Patterson
Joseph was not dismayed. Months earlier, in a dream, the angel told him to take care of Mary and her baby. He must now do what he thought best – and trust God that all would be well. “Dear Mary,” he said, “here is a stable where we can shelter. There is clean straw, enough room to lie down, and the cold night breezes cannot chill us.”
Hanna Varghese, God Is With Us
There, among the animals, Jesus was born. The son of God. Not in a palace or a safe hospital, but in a stable. Mary wrapped her baby in swaddling clothes. Joseph piled straw into an ancient stone manger, to make it into a cradle. There, Mary laid her baby.
The Shepherds Text by Clive Sansom
We stood on the hills, Lady, Our day’s work done, Watching the frosted meadows That winter had won. The evening was calm, Lady, The air so still, Silence more lovely than music Folded the hill.
There was a star, Lady, Shone in the night, Larger than Venus it was And bright, so bright. Oh, a voice from the sky, Lady, It seemed to us then Telling of God being born In the world of men.
Angel and Shepherds, by He Qi
And so we have come, Lady, Our day’s work done, Our love, our hopes, ourselves, We give to your son.
Prayers Leader: Let us pray to Jesus our Saviour. Jesus, whose mother was Mary, Bless our families. Jesus, Saviour, ALL: Hear our prayer. Jesus, who was cared for by Joseph, his stepfather, Bless our families. Jesus, Saviour, ALL: Hear our prayer. Christ, born in a stable, give courage to all who are homeless. Jesus, Saviour, ALL: hear our prayer. Christ, worshipped by the shepherds, give peace on earth. Jesus, Saviour, ALL: hear our prayer.
Prayers Christ, whose birth was announced by the angels, Help us to share your good news with the world. Jesus, Saviour, ALL: hear our prayer. Christ, whose light filled a manger, give the light of your hope and life to all who need them. Jesus, Saviour, ALL: hear our prayer. Jesus, Saviour, child of Mary, you know us and love us, you share our lives and hear our prayer. Glory to you for ever. Amen.
Hymn 111, Silent night (all light candles) 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. Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight, glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia; 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.
Closing Hymn 87, Hark! the herald angels sing 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 the angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem! Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the newborn King! Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Risen with healing in his wings, light and life to all he brings, hail, the Sun of Righteousness! hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Refrain
Blessing & Dismissal Leader: May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the persistence of the wise men, the faithfulness of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ-child be yours this Christmas; and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Be among you and remain with you always. ALL: Amen. Leader: Let us go forth in the name of Christ our Newborn King. Alleluia! Alleluia!
ALL: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Portions of this service are taken from the Zoom Crib Service for parishes in the Diocese of St. Alban’s, England.