VERSION: 9 April 2002
A FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS READINGS AND CAROLS
This order was prepared by the Department of Liturgics and released in a booklet via the Board for Congregational Life in 1988 for use in the Lutheran Church of Australia. It was published together with all other authorised orders on the disk entitled 'Approved Worship Services of the LCA'. This disk is available through The Open Book, and a coil bound print-out is available from the LCA National Office.
NOTES
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This order is based on the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
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This festival of readings and carols is a minor service, particularly suitable for Christmas Eve or as close to Christmas Eve as practicable.
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Other hymns and carols may be used. The hymns listed are from Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement (LHS), Together at Christmas (TAC), and Together in Song (TIS). Modernised LHS versions available are indicated by an asterisk (*). In most cases TIS versions have been modernised to some extent.
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Choir anthems may be interspersed where appropriate.
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The collect of the day may be said in addition to or instead of the collect provided.
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Candles may be lit as part of the service. The minister may light a candle at the altar, after which the ushers may light their candles from the minister's and then take the light to the people at the end of each pew or row of seats.
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The introductions accompanying the readings may be read by the reader.
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OUTLINE OF THE ORDER
Organ prelude
Processional hymn
Prayer
Lord's Prayer
First reading
Hymn
Second reading
Hymn
Third reading
Hymn
Fourth reading
Hymn
Fifth reading
Hymn
Sixth reading
Hymn
Seventh reading
Hymn
Eighth reading
Hymn
Ninth reading
Hymn
Offering
Collect
Blessing
Recessional hymn
A FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS READINGS AND CAROLS
ORGAN PRELUDE
PROCESSIONAL HYMN
Once in royal David's city (LHS 632, TAC 70, TIS 312)
PRAYER
Friends in Christ: Let us hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind go to Bethlehem and see the loving-kindness of our God, and the baby lying in a manger.
Let us hear in holy Scripture the story of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience to the glorious redemption gained for us by the holy child, Jesus Christ our Lord; and let us thank him with our carols of praise.
But first let us pray to God for the needs of the whole world.
Heavenly Father, bring peace and goodwill among all people, so that we may learn to love one another, as your children.
Look in mercy on the poor and helpless; the homeless, the hungry, and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all those who do not know the Lord Jesus, or who do not love him, or who by sin have grieved his heart.
We come before you with all those who rejoice with us in a greater light, that heavenly multitude which none of us can number, with whom, in the Lord Jesus, we are one for evermore. In his name we pray:
LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING
Genesis 3:8-15 God announces in the Garden of Eden that the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent's head.
HYMN
Come, thou Saviour of our race* (LHS 19, TIS 295)
SECOND READING
Isaiah 9:2,6,7 The prophet Isaiah foretells Christ's birth and kingdom.
HYMN
The people that in darkness sat (LHS 30; alt. tune: LH 624; TIS 274)
THIRD READING
Micah 5:2-5a The prophet announces the birth-place of the Saviour.
HYMN
O little town of Bethlehem (LHS 633, TAC 64, TIS 316)
FOURTH READING
Matthew 1:18-25 St Matthew tells of the birth of Jesus.
HYMN
O come, O come, Immanuel (LHS 2, TAC 61, TIS 265)
FIFTH READING
Luke 2:1-7 St Luke tells of the birth of the Christchild.
HYMN
From heaven above to earth I come* (LHS 23: 1-5, 11, TAC 25, TIS 296)
SIXTH READING
Luke 2:8-12 The shepherds are told of the birth of Jesus.
HYMN
While shepherds watched their flocks by night (LHS 624, TAC 93, TIS 299)
OR Silent night (LH 629, TAC 75, TIS 311)
SEVENTH READING
Luke 2:13-20 The angels proclaim peace, and the shepherds go to Bethlehem.
HYMN
Hark! the herald angels sing (LHS 33, TAC 34, TIS 303)
EIGHTH READING
Matthew 2:1-11 The wise men are led by the star to Jesus.
HYMN
As with gladness men of old (LHS 40, TIS 314)
NINTH READING
John 1:1-14 St John describes the mystery of the incarnation.
HYMN
What child is this (LHS 746, TAC 90. Not in TIS; TIS 290, 294, 298, or 300 could be considered instead)
OR Joy to the world (LH 627, TAC 44, TIS 268)
OFFERING
COLLECT
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, you enlighten us with the new light of your incarnate Word. May we show in our deeds the light that by faith shines in our hearts; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
BLESSING
(May) Christ the Son of God give you joy and peace by his presence with you; and the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son,Ü and Holy Spirit, be with you always.
Amen.
RECESSIONAL HYMN
O come, all ye faithful (LHS 34:1-3, TAC 60:1-3, TIS 304:1-3, 5, 6)
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