CHRISTMAS DAY
In Search of Our Kneeling Places
by Ann Weems
In each heart lies a Bethlehem,
an inn where we must ultimately answer
whether there is room or not.
When we are Bethlehem-bound
we experience our (Christmas) in him.
When we are Bethlehem-bound
we can no longer look the other way
conveniently not seeing stars
not hearing angel voices.
We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily
tending our sheep or our kingdoms.
This (Christmas) let’s go to Bethlehem
and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us.
In the midst of shopping sprees
let’s ponder in our hearts the Gift of Gifts.
Through the tinsel
let’s look for the gold of the Christmas star.
In the excitement and confusion, in the merry chaos,
let’s listen for the brush of angels’ wings.
This (Christmas), let’s go to Bethlehem
and find our kneeling places.
Christmas Day 2022
Welcome
OPENING SENTENCES
There is good news of great joy for all!
Jesus is born! Glory to God in the highest!
HYMN #133 O, Come All Ye Faithful (verse 4)
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
CALL TO PRAYER
The Christmas spirit is that hope which
tenaciously clings to the hearts of the faithful
and announces in the face
of any Herod the world can produce
and all the inn doors slammed in our faces
and all the dark nights of our souls
that with God all things still are possible,
and that even now unto us a Child is born!
Ann Weems
PRAYER FOR GRACE
God of heaven and earth, of all seasons and spaces,
on this Christmas Day, we thank you
that with you all things still are possible
and there still is nothing in all of creation,
able to separate us from your love.
As we welcome the gift of the Christ Child,
we pray for your grace
that we may learn to look out for each other,
to care for neighbors near and far,
recognizing our shared vulnerability and strength,
and that we might work for justice in this world,
building your Beloved Community.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
CAROL #132 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 2:8-20
SPOKEN MEDITATION
SILENT REFLECTION
SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP
CAROL #134 “Joy To The World”
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS FOR OURSELVES AND OUR WORLD
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN #146 “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child” verse 3
Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger;
He is still the undefiled, but no more a stranger.
Child of God, of humble birth, beautiful the story;
Praise his name in all the earth; hail the Child of glory!
BLESSING