Christmas Eve (12.24.17)

Opening: Christmas Carols

Welcome / Greeting

 

The Coming of Christ: How Jesus came into our world.

 

Bethlehem—house of bread.

 

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.  (Lk 2:4–7.)

Song: Silent Night

The Campaign of Christ: Why Jesus came into our world.

 

35 “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again... 40 For this is the will of my Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him will have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”  (Jn 6:35 &40., CSB)

Song: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

 

The Communion of Christ: Celebrating Jesus in our lives.

 

51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”  (Jn 6:51, CSB)

 

54 The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day, 55 because my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me....The one who eats this bread will live forever.” (Jn 6:53–58, CSB)

 

Song: O Holy Night

The Commission of Christ: Carrying Jesus into our world.

 

You give them something to eat.

 

16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children (Mt 14:16–21, ESV)

 

Closing: Go Light your World

 

Song: Joy to the World A Christmas Eve Celebration