Christmas Day Service 2020

Gourock St. John’s
Christmas Day 2020
Service prepared by The Rev. Teri Peterson
Email: tpeterson@churchofscotland.org.uk

~~~~Transcript:

*Hymn #301: Hark the Herald Angels Sing

John 1.1-14 (NRSV), lighting the Christ candle
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Carol Calendar: O Come, All Ye Faithful

Teri’s Christmas Tree

*Hymn #313: See in Yonder Manger Low

Poem: I cannot tell you how the light comes (Jan Richardson)

I cannot tell you
how the light comes.

What I know
is that it is more ancient
than imagining.

That it travels
across an astounding expanse
to reach us.
That it loves
searching out
what is hidden,
what is lost,
what is forgotten
or in peril
or in pain.

That it has a fondness
for the body,
for finding its way
toward flesh,
for tracing the edges
of form,
for shining forth
through the eye,
the hand,
the heart.

I cannot tell you
how the light comes,
but that it does.
That it will.
That it works its way
into the deepest dark
that enfolds you,
though it may seem
long ages in coming
or arrive in a shape
you did not foresee.

And so
may we this day
turn ourselves toward it.
May we lift our faces
to let it find us.
May we bend our bodies
to follow the arc it makes.
May we open
and open more
and open still

to the blessed light
that comes.

*Music: Love Came Down at Christmas (improvisation by Philip)

Poem: First Coming (Madeleine L’Engle)

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace
He came when the Heavens were unsteady
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He died with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait

till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
He came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

Prayer
Thank you, God, for coming to be with us in the midst of everything.
Thank you for bringing your Word to life,
and thank you for living alongside us from birth to death,
not in a faraway powerful palace,
but in a normal family in all its complexity and wonder.
We never expected you to come so close —
right into our houses, when we’re still in our pyjamas,
without even time to sweep up the needles that have dropped off the tree overnight.
Yet here you are, demanding our full attention.
Now we pray that you would keep our eyes on you when you’re no longer a cute baby cooing and rolling over and sleeping in our arms…
Give us the stamina and courage to keep you at the centre of our lives
when you are stretching our minds,
asking questions,
and pointing a new direction.
Give us hands ready to reach out with your compassion,
hearts ready to open wider than we ever imagined,
feet ready to walk beside the wandering,
and minds set on your justice.
Remind us that the gift of Christmas isn’t just for Christmas, it’s for life —
abundant life, in the kingdom you are bringing to earth, even now.
We pray for your counsel, your peace, your comfort, your love
to be known in this and every place,
until all the world joins the song of the angels,
with our voices and our deeds.
We ask in the name of that beloved baby who is lord and saviour of all, Jesus the Christ, who taught us to pray together:
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.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
Amen.

*Music: The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman music by Dan Forrest (virtual choir video)

Benediction

You who have seen glory, shine it into the world!
You who have heard the word, speak it into the world!
You who have come to the manger, bear Christ into the world!
As you celebrate, may you know the fullness of grace and truth.
Love has come, and never will leave us.
May the love of God be the foundation on which we live,
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be the light that guides our way,
May the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be in our every breath.
Go in peace. Amen.