Christmas Day
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born this day of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Luke.
Listen to David speak to this gospel.
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for Christmas Day 2024
Welcome, friends, and peace be with you on this wonderful day.
May the words on my lips and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. Amen.
Well, there are 364 days in the year that are not Christmas. The 25th of December is a very particular day, one that captures our imaginations. It's a beginning, new opportunities, a new year, new memories and stories.
But really, it's all Jesus. Well, in theory, it's all Jesus. Jesus is the reason for the season. Yes, I know that's tired old slogan.
We're hearing the story again. We're reading the gospel again. We're singing the carols again.
So what are you expecting today?
What will it take to make Christ as real as the child in Mary's arms?
I think these are the questions that we need to consider as we sing, listen and read the Christmas story.
Jesus takes on human flesh and so we get the chance to know the unknowable God.
Today, we are given the opportunity to recognise ourselves as beloved children of God.
And this is the gift of Christmas, a new identity, a new opportunity, a new humanity, all through God.
The Christ child has come.
In this baby, the Christ child, this is the gift of Christmas and it deserves our full attention on this day and throughout the year.
Today, we recognise ourselves as beloved children of God. This is the gift of Christmas, a new identity, a new opportunity, a new humanity, all through God in Christ. This is the gift of Christmas, and it deserves our full attention on this day and throughout the year. <PAUSE>
Let me propose to you that if you condense Christmas down you will come to one, simple truth. You’ll always end up with four words. Four words:
God is with us.
The holy God of Israel wrapped warmly in humanity is crying real tears, in a real city, with real parents, who are trying their best to take it all in.
God is with us.
He is on our planet, in our countryside, in our manger. Emmanuel. The name the angel speaks is now given to Jesus, because:
God is with us.
These four words that changed history, can now change us.
Those four words can bring meaning to the deepest places of our hearts.For the people in relationships that have disintegrated and who have to pick up the pieces:
God is with you.
For the people afraid, worried about the future:
God is with you.
For the people under huge stress because of the uncertain future of their livelihoods:
God is with you.
For the elderly couple who can no longer care for themselves and now must rely on the care of others:
God is with you.
For the person who feels unloved and painfully wonders if there is any person out there who will take an interest in them:
God is with you.
For the person who is seeking truth and looking for Jesus as a possibility:
God is with you.
EVERYONE … You are NOT alone. You NEVER have been and you NEVER will be …
Because in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us.
God in Christ wrapped himself in human flesh, stepped out of eternity and into time and chose a manger in place called Bethlehem to communicate one simple abiding truth:
God is with us.
Jesus wasn't just born in a manger long ago but here today with us now.
So we have our new birth as children of God.
Christmas is not really just a Jesus' birthday at all. Rather it's ours. Christmas is the day we celebrate our birth as children of the living God. So happy birthday to each and every one of you. God loves you very, very, very much. We are the body of Christ. And God is with us on this Christmas day and He is with us, each and every one of us, each and every day.
So to you all have a holy, a blessed and a safe Christmas day.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMINE>
In the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit <AMEN>
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
In response to the call today “Lord, in Your mercy” Our plea is, “hear our prayer”
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy : Hear our prayer.
Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.”
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)
(LONGER pause for silent, personal reflection)
In response to the call today “Lord, in Your mercy” Our response is, “hear our prayer!”
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Father God, in this season of giving and getting we so easily overlook Your gifts to us. Thank You for so many reasons to celebrate especially for our families and friends.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Father God, if we become so busy this day that we forget you, we ask Your forgiveness and give thanks that You never forget us.
Father God, can seem far away. Help us to hear Your voice today and every day.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Creator God, we pray for our world leaders; and we also remember before You all those from aid organisations who will spend the Christmas period away from home bringing aid to those in conflict in Syria, the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and around the world as we continue to pray earnestly for an end to war and terrorism.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Gracious God, we thank You for being with us in life’s trials, draw us closer and teach us to trust You more each day and be especially close to all those who need a prayer of healing in their lives.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer Merciful God, Your son Jesus’ radiance filled a lowly manger, give the glory of Your resurrection to all who rest in You and the reassurance of Your presence with all who mourn their passing.
May all the faithful departed now rest in peace as they most surely have risen in glory.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your Mercy: Hear our prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries. Make the things that we choose to do worthy of the life, death, and rising again of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Jesus Christ whose star guided the visitors to Your birth, guide us as we continue through the season of Christmas and be present with us as we continue to celebrate Your holy birth.
Christ The Saviour is born - come, fill the hearts of Your faithful people and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
