A Christmas Morning Liturgy
Although we are not gathering at Safford on Sunday, December 25, we would invite you to spend some time wherever you are worshipping Jesus, the word-made-flesh. We have provided below a short liturgy that you could follow with your friends or family. You can follow part of it, all of it, or modify it however you’d like! The goal is worship of King Jesus.
If you have nowhere to be on Christmas morning, let us know, we would love to find a home to host you in for the morning! The following is adapted from Seeking God’s Face by Philip F. Reinders.
If you would prefer to print out a version of this to be screen-free on Christmas Morning, here is a PDF document.
Invitation:
PSALM 100:1-2
The invitation is a way to open ourselves to the greater gospel reality, to become mindful of God’s presence. Read these verses out loud together, and reminder yourself of God’s very real presence with you.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”
Spend a moment in silent reflection
Joy to the world, the savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
Wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders, of His love
SONG:
JOY TO THE WORLD
Singing together stirs joy in our hearts! If you don’t feel comfortable singing a capella or with an instrument, play this YouTube video and sing along.
Bible Reading:
LUKE 2:1-14
Choose one person to read slowly and intentionally. Listen to the good news of Jesus’ birth account once again.
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 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 guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviorhas been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
for sharing the good news of Jesus
for Christmas hope and joy
FREE Prayer
Spend a few moments together in prayer. Pray out loud, even if you’re nervous to do so! Prayer is simply talking with God. He does not need fancy theological words. Pray from your heart.
SET PRAYER:
Read together
Read this prayer from the Heidelberg Catechism (36) out loud together to conclude your prayer time.
Jesus Christ, our newborn King: we rejoice that you came among us in all your glory, taking our life so that we might share in yours. In your conception and birth you’ve come to remove our sin—ours since we were first conceived—delivering to us the hope of new life. Make your home among us today and always. Amen.
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.”
Benediction:
Luke 1:68
Choose one person to read this blessing to the group out loud. As you listen, remember what God has done on our behalf— he came and dwelt among us, and died that we might be redeemed.