Merry Christmas Trinity Family and Friends!

In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. Isaiah declares that the light of the long-promised king will illumine the world and bring endless peace and justice. Paul reminds us that the grace of God through Jesus Christ brings salvation to all people. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good and joyful news for everyone, including lowly shepherds. Filled with the light that shines in our lives, we go forth to share the light of Christ with the whole world.

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Prelude:

6:00 pm “Christmas Joy” arr. Raney Christina Andrae

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” arr. Krug Choir Chimes

“O Mary, What a Baby Boy!” Burks Choir

“The Holy Birth” arr. Krug Trinity Ringers

“Mary, Did You Know?” arr. Raney Christina Andrae

8:30 pm “O Come, All Ye Faithful” arr. Krug Choir Chimes

“O Mary, What a Baby Boy!” Burks Choir

“The Holy Birth” arr. Krug Trinity Ringers

Hymns:

Gathering Hymn: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” ELW #283

Text: attr. John Francis Wade, 1711-1786; tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802-1880, sts. 1, 3-4; tr. unknown, st. 2

Hymn of Praise “Angels We Have Heard on High” ELW #289

Text: French carol; tr. H. F. Hemy, The Crown of Jesus Music, 1864

Anthem: “Born in Bethlehem!” Edwards Choir

Hymn of the Day: “Away in a Manger” ELW #277

Text: North American, 19th cent.

Anthem “Down in the City of David” Courtney Choir

Offertory: “What Child is This?” ELW #296

Text: William C. Dix, 1837-1898

Communion Hymns:

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten” ELW #295

Text: Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348-413; tr. composite

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” ELW #270

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt.

Sending Hymn: “Silent Night, Holy Night” ELW #281

Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885

First Reading:

Isaiah 9:2-7 - Isaiah addresses these words to the parts of Israel that were particularly close to foreign powers and to trade routes, and therefore particularly vulnerable to invasion and oppression. These people are especially in need of assurance that God’s promises of safety and of a strong, protective ruler would be fulfilled.

Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14

In the book of Titus, the apostle encourages the young church to hold fast to the faith, avoid behavior that would needlessly offend outsiders, and live at unity with each other. He grounds this behavior in God’s grace shown in the Incarnation of Jesus.

Gospel: Luke 2:1-20

Luke describes how God arranges things to mesh with the divine intention. An edict involving the whole empire forces Joseph and Mary to have their child in Bethlehem (David’s hometown rather than Nazareth. The child is laid in a manger, where the shepherds find him, bringing an end to Isaiah’s complaint: “the donkey knows its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”

Liturgy reprinted from “Evangelical Lutheran Worship”, copyright 2006 Augsburg Fortress, used by permission of license #SBT004670 and One License A-709549; Prayers are from “Sundays & Seasons”, copyright 2023 Augsburg Fortress. Introductions to the readings are written by The Rev. Mark Oldenburg, Ph.D., Steck-Miller Professor Emeritus of the Art of Worship, United Lutheran Seminary.

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