(words for hymns can be found below the order of service)

Welcome
Call to Worship
MP 503 : O Little town of Bethlehem
Introduction to service
Reading 1    John 1 : 1 – 5
Reflection : Carrying a candle
MP690 : This child secretly comes in the night
Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
Reading 2   Matthew 1 : 18 – 23
Reflection : Birth doesn’t happen
Video : O what a glorious night
Reading 3 : Luke 2: 1 -7
Reflection    Tonight is the meeting place
CH4 309: Still the night
Reflection
Video: O Holy night
Prayer for others
MP211 : Hark the herald
Blessing

MP 503 : O Little town of Bethlehem

1 O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see you lie!
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by;
yet in your dark streets shining
is everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in you tonight.

2 For Christ is born of Mary;
and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to Gof the King,
and peace to men on earth.

3 How silently, how silently,
the wonderous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming;
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive Him, still
the dear Christ enters in.

4 O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sins, and enter in;
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Immanuel.

MP690 : This child secretly comes in the night

1 This Child secretly comes in the night,
oh, this Child, hiding a heavenly light,
oh, this Child, coming to us like a stranger,
this heavenly Child.

Chorus
This Child, heaven come down
now to be with us here,
heavenly love and mercy appear,
softly in awe and wonder come near
to this heavenly Child.

2 This Child, rising on us like the sun,
oh, this Child, given to light everyone,
oh, this Child, guiding our feet on the pathway
to peace on earth.
Chorus

3 This Child, raising the humble and poor,
oh, this Child, making the proud ones to fall;
this Child, filling the hungey with good things,
this heavenly Child.
Chorus

CH4 309: Still the night

1 Still the night, holy the night!
Sleeps the world; hid from sight,
Mary and Joseph in stable bare
watch o’er the Child beloved and fair,
sleeping in heavenly rest,
sleeping in heavenly rest.

2 Still the night, Holy the night!
Shepherds first saw the light,
heard resounding clear and long,
far and near, the angel-song.
‘Christ the Redeemer is here!’
‘Christ the Redeemer is here!’

3 Still the night, Holy the night!
Son of God, O how bright
love is smiling form thy face!
Strikes for us now the hour of grace,
Saviour, since thou are born!
Saviour, since thou are born!

MP211 : Hark the herald

1 Hark! the herald-angels sing,
‘Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled’
Joyful, all you nations rise,
join the triumphs of the skies;
with angelic host proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’

Chorus
Hark! the herald-angels sing,
‘Glory to the new-born King!’

2 Chirst by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold Him come,
offspring of a virgin’s womb!
Hail, the incarnate Deity!
Please as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel
Chorus

3 Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!
Hail, the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
born that man no more may die;
born to raise the sones of earth,
born to give them second birth.
Chorus