+ THE FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS +

Processional: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear #19

THE EXHORTATION

Priest: Beloved in Christ, we come by this Service to prepare ourselves to hear the message of the angels again, to go in heart and mind to Bethlehem, and to see the loving-kindness of our God and the Babe lying in a manger.  Let us, therefore, open the Holy Scriptures and read the earliest tale of that disobedience to God’s holy will, which is familiar to us all, and then the story of the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord, to save us from our sins and make us pure and happy; and let us thank Him with our carols of praise.

THE OLD TESTAMENT PREDICTS THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” Guitar Solo Vs. 1, 4, 5, 7

Numbers 24:17

GOD’S PROMISE OF REDEMPTION

“Angels, From the Realms of Glory” 28

Genesis 3:8 – 15         Layreader

THE PROPHECY               

“What Child is This?” # 36

Isaiah 9:2, 6 & 7        Layreader

THE ANNUNCIATION

“Sing of Mary Pure and Lowly…” (vs. 1, 2 & 4) # 117

Saint Luke 1:26 – 38 Layreader                   

THE NATIVITY

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” (vs. 1, 2, 3 & 5) # 21

Saint Luke 2:1, 3 – 7 Layreader

THE SHEPHERDS

“While Shepherds Watched…” # 13   

Saint Luke 2:8 – 16               Layreader

Hymn: #43 “Away in a Manger”

The Gospel: (stand) BCP 97

THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION

Saint John 1:1 – 14 The Priest

Hymn: #31 “Good Christian Men Rejoice…”

HOLY COMMUNION

FROM THE RESERVE SACRAMENT

The Offering

The Confession and Absolution

The Prefaces

The Lord’s Prayer

Agnus Dei

Prayer of Humble Access

The Distribution

Prayer of Thanksgiving

The Dismissal

The Blessing (kneel) BCP 84

Recessional Hymn: “Hark, the Angels Sing…” #27

Priest:  Alleluia, Christ is Born!

Response:  O Come, Let Us Adore Him!  Alleluia

Postlude