Worship Resources for December 25, 2011. These resources are provided via a partnership with the Jubilee Fund and they are based on the Revised New Common Lectionary. These resources may be copied without permission.
For Sunday December 25, 2011 Year B, Christmas Day Christmas Sunday :: White::
Isaiah 9:2–7 :: Psalm 96 :: Titus 2:11–14 :: Luke 2:1–14 (15–20) ::
Call to Worship
(Responsive) Adapted from Psalm 96
L: O sing to the LORD a new song;
P: Sing to the LORD, declare his glory among the nations.
L: Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; P: Honor and Majesty are before him.
L: Worship the LORD in holy splendor;
P: For the LORD has come in righteousness and glory.
Invocation:
The day is here, when we remember your coming Oh God. Amidst the wrappings and boxes, the hurry and worry, we pause. We come before you seeking to remember the true meaning of the day. We come to celebrate with thanks and praise the wonderful works you have done. We come to pray for Christ’s authority to grow continually, so there will be endless peace. Draw us near to you this day of days, our Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
Stewardship Moment:
It’s here! It’s Christmas. For many of us the packages have already been torn open, and perhaps even the first toy has failed. And yet there is still one gift under the tree. You didn’t see it? It is the most beautifully wrapped gift of all. Swaddled and waiting. It is the gift of the Christ Child to you from God. What did you get for God? We will now receive our tithes and offerings.
Offertory Prayer:
Everlasting and Loving God, we know the gift of your Son is free, freely given without cost. We bring these tithes and offerings and dedicate them before you, not to “pay” for your gift of the Christ Child, but to recognize our love and thanksgiving for EVERYTHING you give to us. Especially the gift we celebrate this day.
Communion Meditation:
A lesser known passage of Paul’s letter to Titus says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly.” On this day when we remember the beginning of Christ’s earthly life, it is fitting to remember also the ending. For without the Cross, what would be the significance of the manger? Come and celebrate the ultimate gift of God. All material copyright 2011The Jubilee Fund, Inc. and used here in partnership between the
Center for Faith and Giving. Permission granted to reproduce and use any of the above for Churches and Congregations to the glory of God without requirement of compensation or notification.