PRELUDE In Dulci Jubilo & Venite Adoremus German and  Italian folk melodies                       

WELCOME | Rev. Ann Conklin                                                     

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING SONG  

(to the tune of  Infant Holy, Infant Lowly)

Candles Glowing, promise showing Jesus born a baby small.

Hosts rejoicing, shepherds voicing - praising Christ the Lord of all.

God is with us, shout hosanna, raise a chorus, singing ever:

Praising Christ the Lord of all! Praising Christ the Lord of all!

LIGHTING THE ADVENT & CHRIST CANDLES | Juliana, Sabrina and Shayla Geshay       

The poet, Ann Weems, wrote: “What I’d really like to give you for Christmas is a star. Brilliance in a package; something you could keep in the pocket of your jeans or in the pocket of your being.”  

We’ve come tonight for the Light, for the shining candles, the smiles  on young faces and the brilliance of tears on a neighbor’s cheek. We’ve come to sing and to pray and to listen to the Christmas story once again.  

On this Christmas Eve, we remember together the wondrous miracle that God entered our world in the body of a child, born on a dark night in a chilly stable, with only a manger for his bed. God entered the world and took on human flesh to show us all how to live in hope, peace, joy, and love. When we light the Christ candle, we remember the star above the stable. We celebrate Christ’s Light coming into the darkness.                          

Glory to God in the highest!! We give thanks for the brilliance of stars! We give thanks for the birth of Jesus Christ, God with us, 

Emmanuel!

**CALL TO WORSHIP | Rev. Dean Choi

Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy.  

To us is born this day in the city of David a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.  

This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.  

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace!

 Let us go now to Bethlehem.

**OPENING HYMN #133  O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,    

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem! 

Come, and behold him, born the King of angels!

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation!                          

Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!                             

Glory to God, all glory in the highest!                                 

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,         

O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!  

PRAYER | Rev. Dean Choi  

FIRST READING | Isaiah 9:2-7 | Tom Blabey  

**CAROL Hymn #145 | What Child is This?

What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet  while shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary!  

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, one and all, to own him.

The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him.

Raise, raise the song on high. The virgin sings her lullaby. Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary!

SECOND READING  | Micah 5:2-5a |  Diane Kirkpatrick

**CAROL Hymn #121 | O Little Town of Bethlehem  

O little town of Bethlehem,  How still we see thee lie! 

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep  The silent stars go by. 

Yet in thy dark streets shineth 

The everlasting light;

The hopes and fears of all the years  Are met in thee tonight.   

How silently, how silently,  The wondrous 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.

THIRD READING | John 1:1-5 | Rev. Ann Conklin

MEDITATION | “A Weary World Rejoices!” | Rev. Ann Conklin

MUSIC FOR REFLECTION |  O Holy Night         

PRAYERS OF CHRISTMAS EVE & THE LORD'S PRAYER | Rev. Ann Conklin    

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

OFFERING | Yvonne Bazinet 

The Christmas Eve offering will further the ministry of 

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Enabling congregations and mission partners to care for communities adversely affected by crises and catastrophic events.

If giving by check, please make it out to First Presbyterian Church, writing “Christmas Eve Offering” on the memo line.

OFFERTORY | Hosanna by Christian Gregor 

SEEING THE SCRIPTURE STORY: A TABLEAUX                               

Luke 2:1-7 | Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus | Bill Dodson

CAROL Hymn #115 Away in a Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,                                        

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.                       

The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, 

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.   

The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes,                                 

But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes 

I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,                       

And stay by cradle ‘til morning is nigh.   

Luke 2:8-14  |  Shepherds hear good news of great joy | Stephen Frank 

CAROL Hymn #119  Hark the Herald Angels Sing 

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king.

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”

Joyful, all ye nations, rise; join the triumph of the skies;

With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”     

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king.”

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 we no more may die,    

Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.       

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king.”

Luke 2:15-20 |  The shepherd’s journey to Bethlehem | Mark Croshaw                            

CAROL Hymn #136 Go Tell It on the Mountain

Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; 

go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!

While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,             

behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.

Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born,             

and God send us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.

Matthew 2:1-11  |  The Magi come to worship the Christ | Rob Brown

CHORAL ANTHEM | Emmanuel by Mark Andrew

**UNISON PRAYER | “Candles for Christmas” | by Howard Thurman

I will light candles this Christmas--                                           

Candles of joy despite all sadness,                                          

Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,                         

Candles of courage for fears ever present,                             

Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,                        

Candles of graces to ease heavy burdens,                              

**PROPHECY FULFILLED | Hebrews 1:1-3 | Rev. Ann Concklin

 **SENDING HYMN #134 | Joy to the World     

Joy to the world!

The Lord is come:     

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heav’n and nature sing, 

And heav’n and nature sing,

And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of his righteousness,

And wonders of his love, And wonders of his love,     

And wonders, wonders of his love.

** BENEDICTION |  Rev. Ann Conklin  

  POSTLUDE | Sussex Carol  - English Carol