Christmas day worship @ 10:00 “Very rude Camels”
Order of service for 25th December 2022 “Very rude Camels”
Welcome
Hymn O come all you faithful
Candle lighting
The first candle symbolizes hope and is called the "Prophet’s Candle." The prophets of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival.
The second candle represents peace and is called "Bethlehem’s Candle." Micah had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, which is also the birthplace of King David.
The third candle symbolizes joy and is called the "Shepherd’s Candle." To the shepherd’s great joy, the angels announced that Jesus came for humble, unimportant people like them, too.
The fourth candle represents love and is called the "Angel’s Candle." The angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace-He came to bring people close to God and to each other again, to restore love.
The fifth candle represents light and purity and is called "Christ’s candle." It is placed in the middle and is lit on Christmas Day. This candle is to represent that Jesus came to die for our sins.
Call to worship: Isaiah 9: 6
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Opening prayer – Alison
Hymn Born is the King
Christmas Presents
Prayers of thanks – Jonathan
Hymn We three Kings
Reading: Matthew 2: 1 – 2, 7 – 12 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
“Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”– Hazel
Thought “Very rude Camels”
Hymn “Hark the herald Angels”
Blessing
“May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ-child
be yours this Christmas
and all the days you journey
here is God’s creation” Amen
Grace – Steve