Advent/Christmas 2007

Encountering the Living Christ

Festival of Lessons and Carols

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The following service reflects on and celebrates the mystery of our redemption. Parishes may wish to use this service on the afternoon or evening of the feast of the Holy Family (December 30, 2007), or on the feast of the Epiphany (January 6, 2008). A priest, deacon, or lay person may preside. The suggested songs may be sung congregationally or by a choir in a more complex arrangement. If desired, more than one song may be sung after each reading. In such cases, at least one of the songs should sung congregationally.

The church may be decorated with candles, preferably throughout the worship space. At the beginning of the service, only the candles at the altar and ambo should be lit. (The servers may place their processional candles in these places.) The servers may light additional candles as the readings are proclaimed.

The choir(s), servers, readers, and presiding minister should process into the church. Depending on the scheduled time of the celebration, it may be followed by a reception.

Opening Song

Song:     Once in Royal David's City or From Heaven Above

Opening Prayer
Presiding Minister:

We gather here to recall the mystery of our redemption.
Though sin drew us away from God, he never stopped loving us.
The prophets told of the coming of a Messiah
who would initiate a reign of justice and peace.
This promise was fulfilled in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Let us now reflect with joy on this wondrous mystery.

(The readings that follow are introduced and concluded in the usual way, i.e., "A reading from...." and "The word (gospel) of the Lord." The readers should represent the diversity of the parish community. The people should be seated for the reading and may stand or sit for the song and the prayer. The presiding minister should read the prayers.)

First Lesson

Reading:  Genesis 3:1-15

Song:     Creator of the Stars of Night (traditional)

Prayer:

Lord of mercy,
despite our sinfulness,
you never stopped loving us.
Fill our hearts with your mercy,
that we may forgive others.
Amen.

Second Lesson

Reading:  2 Samuel 7:8-16 or Jeremiah 23:5-8

Song:      Soon and Very Soon (Crouch) or The King Shall Come (Brownlie)

Prayer:

Lord,
you promised that your reign
would bring the justice
that would never end.
May we help to bring this justice in our time.
Amen.

Third Lesson

Reading:  Isaiah 11:1-10 or Micah 5:1-4

Song:      Walk in the Reign (Cooney) or My Soul in Stillness Waits (Haugen)

Lord,
we wait for the day of your peace.
May we help to bring this peace
in our families, our communities, and our world.
Amen.

Fourth Lesson

Reading:  Isaiah 9:1-6

Song:     O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Prayer:

God,
you are always with us.
May we always trust in your presence
and share it with those around us.
Amen.

Fifth Lesson

Reading:  Luke 1:26-38 or Matthew 1:18-24

Song:     The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky

Prayer:

Lord,
you asked Joseph and Mary to trust in you.
May we come to share in their trust
and always rely on you.
Amen.

Sixth Lesson

Reading:  Luke 2:1-18

Song:     Silent Night or Hark! the Herald Angels Sing or Angels We Have Heard on High

Prayer:

Lord,
you came to us in humility and vulnerability.
May we always show loving care to those around us,
especially those in most need.
Amen.

Seventh Lesson

Reading:  Matthew 2:1-12

Song:     We Three Kings or The First Noel

Prayer:

Lord,
you are the giver of all good gifts.
May we always remember to share our gifts with others
for the glory of your name.
Amen.

Eighth Lesson

Reading:  John 1:1-14

Song:     Of the Father's Love Begotten

Prayer:

God of power and might,
you are beyond all time and space.
May we never fail to recognize your majesty
and give praise to you in all we do.
Amen.

Ninth Lesson

Reading:  Matthew 28:16-20

Song:     Go Tell It on the Mountain

Prayer:

Lord,
you call us to be your witnesses
to the ends of the earth.
Fill our words with power
that we may proclaim your good news
and draw all people to you.
Amen.

Closing Song:     Joy to the World or Freedom is Coming