Songs & Stories for Christmas Eve
St. John’s Anglican Church, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
4pm, December 24th, 2024
All hymn numbers refer to the blue Common Praise hymnal.
4pm, December 24th, 2024
All hymn numbers refer to the blue Common Praise hymnal.
Prelude of seasonal music
Greeting and Words of Welcome
This night is the eve of the great Nativity;
born is the Son of Mary.
The soles of his feet have reached the earth;
the Son of glory comes down from on high.
Heaven and earth are united in him.
All hail! Let there be joy!
-from a Gaelic Christmas Carol
Carol: #138, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born 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 hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail, the incarnate Deity,
pleased as one of us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings,
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Leader One: Advent, a season of four weeks leading up to Christmas, is a time of longing, watching,
and praying for God’s healing presence to be ever more vibrantly present in the world.
To help us pray, we light the candles of the Advent wreath to symbolize that even in the
shadows cast by suffering and sorrow, God is coming into the world. The light of God
brings hope, peace, joy and love. Tonight, we complete this circle of light by illuminating
the Christ candle.
Leader Two: Emmanuel, God with us, your moment has come! In the dark of the womb you waited.
Bathed in the balm of the star, you rest. Into a world sorely in need of your light, you are
born. When you knock on our door looking for room, may we welcome you. Like the angels
and shepherds who announced your birth, call us to share your good news with all who are
weary, bewildered, or afraid.
All: Amen! The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
All four Advent candles and the central Christ candle are lit.
Leader One: Christ is born!
All: Hosanna in the highest!
Leader Two: Christ, light of God, shine upon us.
All: Christ, light of love, shine in our hearts.
Opening Prayer
O God, our joy and our hope, from ancient times the promise of your saving grace has sustained
your people. With Mary and Joseph, teach us to treasure in our hearts the birth of Jesus, and with
shepherds and angels, lead us to rejoice with songs of praise. Amen.
Psalm 98 – read responsively
Sing a new song to the Lord,
who has done marvellous things,
whose mighty hand and holy arm have won the victory.
O Lord, you have made known the victory;
you have openly shown your righteousness
in the sight of the nations.
You remember your mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel,
and all the ends of the earth have seen your victory, O God.
Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
praise God with songs and shouts of joy!
Sing praises to the Lord!
Play music on the harps!
Blow trumpets and horns,
and shout for joy to the Lord, our king.
Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
sing, earth, and all who live on you!
Clap your hands, you rivers;
you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord,
who comes to rule the earth.
The Lord will rule the peoples of the world
with justice and fairness. Alleluia!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.
Carol: #123 Once in Royal David's City
Once in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed.
Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.
He came down to earth from heaven, who is God and Lord of all,
and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall.
With the poor and mean and lowly lived on earth our Saviour holy.
Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by,
we shall see him, but in heaven, set at God's right hand on high,
when, like stars, his children crowned all in white shall gather round.
The Gospel
The script for tonight’s gospel storytelling is from Go Chatter Studios. Used with permission.
At the conclusion of the Gospel, we pray:
God of all ages, the birth of Christ dispelled the power of darkness and revealed your boundless
love for all people. Be born in us with that same love and light, that our song may blend with all
the choirs of heaven and earth to the glory of your name. Amen.
Carol: #139 The First Nowell (v. 1-3, 5)
The first nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
in fields where 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!
They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far,
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those wise men three,
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel!
The Prayers of the People
On this holy night, we offer our prayers, trusting in God’s abounding love to transform a world in
pain. To the invitation ‘Light in our darkness,’ please respond,
‘Receive our prayer.’
The Lord's Prayer
Let us gather our prayers in the words that Jesus taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as
it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Offertory Hymn: #154, Joy to the World
During the hymn, the offering of the church is brought forward. Your gifts support the ongoing work of this
parish, so that people may find hope, purpose, guidance, and joy in a community striving to follow the Way
of Christ. Thank you!
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
let earth receive the 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 world! The Saviour reigns:
let us glad songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let wrongs and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as our sin is found,
far as our sin is found,
far as, far as our sin is found.
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.
Thanksgiving Over the Offering
Together let us pray,
Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches
of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be a blessing for others. With the trees
of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Blessing
O God, help us 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 all that harms us and your creation
by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear and open hearts.
May Christmas morning make us glad to be your children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
made free in Christ to love and serve the world he came to love.
And may the blessing of God,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit,
be upon us and surround us, now and always. Amen.
(Based on A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson)
Carol: #119 Silent Night
lights are turned out and candles are lit as we sing
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,
sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight:
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia,
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour 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.
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.
Dismissal
Go out with joy to share the good news:
Christ the Saviour is born! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia, alleluia!
Candles are extinguished.
Greeting and Words of Welcome
This night is the eve of the great Nativity;
born is the Son of Mary.
The soles of his feet have reached the earth;
the Son of glory comes down from on high.
Heaven and earth are united in him.
All hail! Let there be joy!
-from a Gaelic Christmas Carol
Carol: #138, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born 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 hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail, the incarnate Deity,
pleased as one of us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings,
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Leader One: Advent, a season of four weeks leading up to Christmas, is a time of longing, watching,
and praying for God’s healing presence to be ever more vibrantly present in the world.
To help us pray, we light the candles of the Advent wreath to symbolize that even in the
shadows cast by suffering and sorrow, God is coming into the world. The light of God
brings hope, peace, joy and love. Tonight, we complete this circle of light by illuminating
the Christ candle.
Leader Two: Emmanuel, God with us, your moment has come! In the dark of the womb you waited.
Bathed in the balm of the star, you rest. Into a world sorely in need of your light, you are
born. When you knock on our door looking for room, may we welcome you. Like the angels
and shepherds who announced your birth, call us to share your good news with all who are
weary, bewildered, or afraid.
All: Amen! The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
All four Advent candles and the central Christ candle are lit.
Leader One: Christ is born!
All: Hosanna in the highest!
Leader Two: Christ, light of God, shine upon us.
All: Christ, light of love, shine in our hearts.
Opening Prayer
O God, our joy and our hope, from ancient times the promise of your saving grace has sustained
your people. With Mary and Joseph, teach us to treasure in our hearts the birth of Jesus, and with
shepherds and angels, lead us to rejoice with songs of praise. Amen.
Psalm 98 – read responsively
Sing a new song to the Lord,
who has done marvellous things,
whose mighty hand and holy arm have won the victory.
O Lord, you have made known the victory;
you have openly shown your righteousness
in the sight of the nations.
You remember your mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel,
and all the ends of the earth have seen your victory, O God.
Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
praise God with songs and shouts of joy!
Sing praises to the Lord!
Play music on the harps!
Blow trumpets and horns,
and shout for joy to the Lord, our king.
Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
sing, earth, and all who live on you!
Clap your hands, you rivers;
you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord,
who comes to rule the earth.
The Lord will rule the peoples of the world
with justice and fairness. Alleluia!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.
Carol: #123 Once in Royal David's City
Once in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed.
Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.
He came down to earth from heaven, who is God and Lord of all,
and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall.
With the poor and mean and lowly lived on earth our Saviour holy.
Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by,
we shall see him, but in heaven, set at God's right hand on high,
when, like stars, his children crowned all in white shall gather round.
The Gospel
The script for tonight’s gospel storytelling is from Go Chatter Studios. Used with permission.
At the conclusion of the Gospel, we pray:
God of all ages, the birth of Christ dispelled the power of darkness and revealed your boundless
love for all people. Be born in us with that same love and light, that our song may blend with all
the choirs of heaven and earth to the glory of your name. Amen.
Carol: #139 The First Nowell (v. 1-3, 5)
The first nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
in fields where 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!
They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far,
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those wise men three,
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel!
The Prayers of the People
On this holy night, we offer our prayers, trusting in God’s abounding love to transform a world in
pain. To the invitation ‘Light in our darkness,’ please respond,
‘Receive our prayer.’
The Lord's Prayer
Let us gather our prayers in the words that Jesus taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as
it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Offertory Hymn: #154, Joy to the World
During the hymn, the offering of the church is brought forward. Your gifts support the ongoing work of this
parish, so that people may find hope, purpose, guidance, and joy in a community striving to follow the Way
of Christ. Thank you!
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
let earth receive the 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 world! The Saviour reigns:
let us glad songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let wrongs and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as our sin is found,
far as our sin is found,
far as, far as our sin is found.
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.
Thanksgiving Over the Offering
Together let us pray,
Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches
of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be a blessing for others. With the trees
of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Blessing
O God, help us 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 all that harms us and your creation
by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear and open hearts.
May Christmas morning make us glad to be your children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
made free in Christ to love and serve the world he came to love.
And may the blessing of God,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit,
be upon us and surround us, now and always. Amen.
(Based on A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson)
Carol: #119 Silent Night
lights are turned out and candles are lit as we sing
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,
sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight:
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia,
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour 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.
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.
Dismissal
Go out with joy to share the good news:
Christ the Saviour is born! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia, alleluia!
Candles are extinguished.
Prelude of seasonal music
Greeting and Words of Welcome
This night is the eve of the great Nativity;
born is the Son of Mary.
The soles of his feet have reached the earth;
the Son of glory comes down from on high.
Heaven and earth are united in him.
All hail! Let there be joy!
-from a Gaelic Christmas Carol
Carol: #138, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born 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 hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail, the incarnate Deity,
pleased as one of us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings,
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Leader One: Advent, a season of four weeks leading up to Christmas, is a time of longing, watching, and praying for God’s healing presence to be ever more vibrantly present in the world.
To help us pray, we light the candles of the Advent wreath to symbolize that even in the shadows cast by suffering and sorrow, God is coming into the world. The light of God brings hope, peace, joy and love. Tonight, we complete this circle of light by illuminating the Christ candle.
Leader Two: Emmanuel, God with us, your moment has come! In the dark of the womb you waited. Bathed in the balm of the star, you rest. Into a world sorely in need of your light, you are born. When you knock on our door looking for room, may we welcome you. Like the angels and shepherds who announced your birth, call us to share your good news with all who are weary, bewildered, or afraid.
All: Amen! The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
All four Advent candles and the central Christ candle are lit.
Leader One: Christ is born!
All: Hosanna in the highest!
Leader Two: Christ, light of God, shine upon us.
All: Christ, light of love, shine in our hearts.
Opening Prayer
O God, our joy and our hope, from ancient times the promise of your saving grace has sustained your people. With Mary and Joseph, teach us to treasure in our hearts the birth of Jesus, and with shepherds and angels, lead us to rejoice with songs of praise. Amen.
Psalm 98 – read responsively
Sing a new song to the Lord,
who has done marvellous things,
whose mighty hand and holy arm have won the victory.
O Lord, you have made known the victory;
you have openly shown your righteousness
in the sight of the nations.
You remember your mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel,
and all the ends of the earth have seen your victory, O God.
Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
praise God with songs and shouts of joy!
Sing praises to the Lord!
Play music on the harps!
Blow trumpets and horns,
and shout for joy to the Lord, our king.
Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
sing, earth, and all who live on you!
Clap your hands, you rivers;
you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord,
who comes to rule the earth.
The Lord will rule the peoples of the world
with justice and fairness. Alleluia!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.
Carol: #123 Once in Royal David's City
Once in royal David's city
stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a mother laid her baby
in a manger for his bed.
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.
He came down to earth from heaven,
who is God and Lord of all,
and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall.
With the poor and mean and lowly
lived on earth our Saviour holy.
Not in that poor lowly stable,
with the oxen standing by,
we shall see him, but in heaven,
set at God's right hand on high,
when, like stars, his children crowned
all in white shall gather round.
The Gospel
The script for tonight’s gospel storytelling is from Go Chatter Studios. Used with permission.
At the conclusion of the Gospel, we pray:
God of all ages, the birth of Christ dispelled the power of darkness and revealed your boundless love for all people. Be born in us with that same love and light, that our song may blend with all the choirs of heaven and earth to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Carol: #139 The First Nowell (v. 1-3, 5)
The first nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
in fields where 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!
They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far,
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those wise men three,
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel!
The Prayers of the People
On this holy night, we offer our prayers, trusting in God’s abounding love to transform a world in pain. To the invitation ‘Light in our darkness,’ please respond,
‘Receive our prayer.’
The Lord's Prayer
Let us gather our prayers in the words that Jesus taught us.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Offertory Hymn: #154, Joy to the World
During the hymn, the offering of the church is brought forward. Your gifts support the ongoing work of this parish, so that people may find hope, purpose, guidance, and joy in a community striving to follow the Way of Christ. Thank you!
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
let earth receive the 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 world! The Saviour reigns:
let us glad songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let wrongs and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as our sin is found,
far as our sin is found,
far as, far as our sin is found.
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.
Thanksgiving Over the Offering
Together let us pray,
Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be a blessing for others. With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing
O God, help us 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 all that harms us and your creation by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear and open hearts.
May Christmas morning make us glad to be your children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, made free in Christ to love and serve the world he came to love.
And may the blessing of God,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit,
be upon us and surround us,
now and always. Amen.
(Based on A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson)
Carol: #119 Silent Night
lights are turned out and candles are lit as we sing
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,
sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight:
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia,
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour 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.
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.
Dismissal
Go out with joy to share the good news:
Christ the Saviour is born! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia, alleluia!
Candles are extinguished.
Greeting and Words of Welcome
This night is the eve of the great Nativity;
born is the Son of Mary.
The soles of his feet have reached the earth;
the Son of glory comes down from on high.
Heaven and earth are united in him.
All hail! Let there be joy!
-from a Gaelic Christmas Carol
Carol: #138, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born 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 hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail, the incarnate Deity,
pleased as one of us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings,
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Leader One: Advent, a season of four weeks leading up to Christmas, is a time of longing, watching, and praying for God’s healing presence to be ever more vibrantly present in the world.
To help us pray, we light the candles of the Advent wreath to symbolize that even in the shadows cast by suffering and sorrow, God is coming into the world. The light of God brings hope, peace, joy and love. Tonight, we complete this circle of light by illuminating the Christ candle.
Leader Two: Emmanuel, God with us, your moment has come! In the dark of the womb you waited. Bathed in the balm of the star, you rest. Into a world sorely in need of your light, you are born. When you knock on our door looking for room, may we welcome you. Like the angels and shepherds who announced your birth, call us to share your good news with all who are weary, bewildered, or afraid.
All: Amen! The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
All four Advent candles and the central Christ candle are lit.
Leader One: Christ is born!
All: Hosanna in the highest!
Leader Two: Christ, light of God, shine upon us.
All: Christ, light of love, shine in our hearts.
Opening Prayer
O God, our joy and our hope, from ancient times the promise of your saving grace has sustained your people. With Mary and Joseph, teach us to treasure in our hearts the birth of Jesus, and with shepherds and angels, lead us to rejoice with songs of praise. Amen.
Psalm 98 – read responsively
Sing a new song to the Lord,
who has done marvellous things,
whose mighty hand and holy arm have won the victory.
O Lord, you have made known the victory;
you have openly shown your righteousness
in the sight of the nations.
You remember your mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel,
and all the ends of the earth have seen your victory, O God.
Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
praise God with songs and shouts of joy!
Sing praises to the Lord!
Play music on the harps!
Blow trumpets and horns,
and shout for joy to the Lord, our king.
Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
sing, earth, and all who live on you!
Clap your hands, you rivers;
you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord,
who comes to rule the earth.
The Lord will rule the peoples of the world
with justice and fairness. Alleluia!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.
Carol: #123 Once in Royal David's City
Once in royal David's city
stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a mother laid her baby
in a manger for his bed.
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.
He came down to earth from heaven,
who is God and Lord of all,
and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall.
With the poor and mean and lowly
lived on earth our Saviour holy.
Not in that poor lowly stable,
with the oxen standing by,
we shall see him, but in heaven,
set at God's right hand on high,
when, like stars, his children crowned
all in white shall gather round.
The Gospel
The script for tonight’s gospel storytelling is from Go Chatter Studios. Used with permission.
At the conclusion of the Gospel, we pray:
God of all ages, the birth of Christ dispelled the power of darkness and revealed your boundless love for all people. Be born in us with that same love and light, that our song may blend with all the choirs of heaven and earth to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Carol: #139 The First Nowell (v. 1-3, 5)
The first nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,
in fields where 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!
They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far,
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel!
And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those wise men three,
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel!
The Prayers of the People
On this holy night, we offer our prayers, trusting in God’s abounding love to transform a world in pain. To the invitation ‘Light in our darkness,’ please respond,
‘Receive our prayer.’
The Lord's Prayer
Let us gather our prayers in the words that Jesus taught us.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Offertory Hymn: #154, Joy to the World
During the hymn, the offering of the church is brought forward. Your gifts support the ongoing work of this parish, so that people may find hope, purpose, guidance, and joy in a community striving to follow the Way of Christ. Thank you!
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
let earth receive the 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 world! The Saviour reigns:
let us glad songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let wrongs and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as our sin is found,
far as our sin is found,
far as, far as our sin is found.
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.
Thanksgiving Over the Offering
Together let us pray,
Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be a blessing for others. With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing
O God, help us 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 all that harms us and your creation by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear and open hearts.
May Christmas morning make us glad to be your children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, made free in Christ to love and serve the world he came to love.
And may the blessing of God,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit,
be upon us and surround us,
now and always. Amen.
(Based on A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson)
Carol: #119 Silent Night
lights are turned out and candles are lit as we sing
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,
sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight:
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia,
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour 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.
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.
Dismissal
Go out with joy to share the good news:
Christ the Saviour is born! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia, alleluia!
Candles are extinguished.
The script for tonight’s gospel storytelling is from Go Chatter Studios. They are dedicated to sharing bible stories with a new generation using LEGO stop-motion animations. Their videos are delightful and inspiring! Please check them out at www.gochatterstudios.org
We thank the participants in tonight’s service:
Greeters: Ian & Debbie MacDonald
Candle Lighting: Denyse & Jim Nelson
Gospel Storyteller: Kathryn Rennick
Prayers of the People: Ian MacDonald
Counters: Mary & Murray Phillips
Livestream Operator: Cameron Finlay
Thank you to members of our Sanctuary Guild and all who
prepared the church for Christmas and assisted with worship.
We thank the participants in tonight’s service:
Greeters: Ian & Debbie MacDonald
Candle Lighting: Denyse & Jim Nelson
Gospel Storyteller: Kathryn Rennick
Prayers of the People: Ian MacDonald
Counters: Mary & Murray Phillips
Livestream Operator: Cameron Finlay
Thank you to members of our Sanctuary Guild and all who
prepared the church for Christmas and assisted with worship.
Flowers on the Altar and in the Church for Christmas 2024 and Epiphany
are offered to the glory of God in loving memory of:
Janet & David Ross from the family
Parents and Grandson of Peter & Frances Jucker
Ernest & Teresa Amos, John & Elizabeth Thorburn, parents of Judy & Jim Amos
Bernice & Jim Muggah and Stephen Moore from the family
Donald Wells and his mother Rhoda, from Libby and family
Douglas Clarke from the family
Kay Watson from Anne
Alex & Elizabeth Coghill from the family
Patterson family: Ivan & Elizabeth, Rachael & Wilford, Dana & Garnet and John
Alethea & Robert Wright, Evan & Frances Whidden from the family
Dal Browne, Margo & Charles Eaves from the family
David Doakes from the family
Mary & Gerald Porter from the family
Florence & Richard Taylor from the family
Marion Gesner from the family
Ruth Carberry from the family
Lynn Hirch, Velma & Frank Johnson from the family
Mary (Pedie) Hopgood from the family
Anne (Jackie) Mowatt from the family
Spencer Family: Minnie & Herbert, Gerald, Richard, Charlotte & Romaine
Paul Hobson from the family
are offered to the glory of God in loving memory of:
Janet & David Ross from the family
Parents and Grandson of Peter & Frances Jucker
Ernest & Teresa Amos, John & Elizabeth Thorburn, parents of Judy & Jim Amos
Bernice & Jim Muggah and Stephen Moore from the family
Donald Wells and his mother Rhoda, from Libby and family
Douglas Clarke from the family
Kay Watson from Anne
Alex & Elizabeth Coghill from the family
Patterson family: Ivan & Elizabeth, Rachael & Wilford, Dana & Garnet and John
Alethea & Robert Wright, Evan & Frances Whidden from the family
Dal Browne, Margo & Charles Eaves from the family
David Doakes from the family
Mary & Gerald Porter from the family
Florence & Richard Taylor from the family
Marion Gesner from the family
Ruth Carberry from the family
Lynn Hirch, Velma & Frank Johnson from the family
Mary (Pedie) Hopgood from the family
Anne (Jackie) Mowatt from the family
Spencer Family: Minnie & Herbert, Gerald, Richard, Charlotte & Romaine
Paul Hobson from the family
This parish is located in Mi’kma’ki, the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq people. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoquiyik (Maliseet) people first signed with the British Crown in 1725.
We are all treaty people.
Rector: The Rev’d Nicole Uzans (902-956-4892), [email protected]
Wardens: Cameron Finlay (902-385-4605) & Karen Padovani (902-365-2235),
[email protected]
Director of Music & Organist: Dr. Michelle Boyd, [email protected]
We are all treaty people.
Rector: The Rev’d Nicole Uzans (902-956-4892), [email protected]
Wardens: Cameron Finlay (902-385-4605) & Karen Padovani (902-365-2235),
[email protected]
Director of Music & Organist: Dr. Michelle Boyd, [email protected]
