December 24, 2025
Gather ‘Round, Ye Children, Come
By Andrew Peterson
Gather ‘round ye children come Listen to the old, old story
Of the power of death undone By an infant born of glory
Son of God, Son of Man
Gather 'round, remember now How creation held its breath
How it let out a sigh and it filled up the sky with the angels
Son of God, Son of Man
CHORUS:
So, sing out with joy for the brave little boy
Who was God, but He made Himself nothin'
Well, He gave up His pride and He came here to die like a man
Therefore, God exalted Him to the place of highest praises
And He gave Him a name above every name that at the very name of Jesus
Son of God…
CHORUS:
We would sing out with joy for the brave little boy
Who was God, but He made Himself nothin'
Well, He gave up His pride and He came here to die like a man
So, in heaven and earth and below every knee would bow in worship
Every tongue would proclaim Jesus, He reigns with the angels (Chorus) (Verse 1)
First Reading
John 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Joy To the World
By: Isaac Watts (1719)
Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing, and Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns
Let all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy
No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found
Far as, far as, the curse is found
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
Second Reading
Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Lo! How A Rose E’re Blooming
15th C. German Hymn; Translated by: Theodore Baker.
Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming as men of old have sung
It came, a flower bright
Amid the cold of winter when half-spent was the night
Isaiah 'twas foretold it the Rose I have in mind
With Mary we behold it the virgin mother kind
To show God's love aright
She bore to men a Savior when half-spent was the night
This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere
True man, yet very God
From sin and death He saves us and lightens every load
From sin and death He saves us and lightens every load
Assurance of Forgiveness
Luke 2:1-21
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
1739, Charles Wesley, adapted by George Whitefield. Based on Luke 2:14.
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 th'angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Christ by highest heav'n adored, Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th'incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace, Hail the Sun of righteousness
Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Homily Passage
Matthew 2:1-12
Leader: The grass withers, the flower fades,
All: ...but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
Homily
"A Star"
Pastor Mike McBride
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who, for us and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets; and we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
O Holy Night
Lyrics by Placide Cappeau; Music by Adolphe Adam (1847)
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night, O night divine
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim
Benediction
Silent Night
By Josef Mohr (1816)
Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in Heavenly peace
Sleep in Heavenly peace
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from Heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing, “Alleluia”
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, loves pure light
Radiant, beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
By Andrew Peterson
Gather ‘round ye children come Listen to the old, old story
Of the power of death undone By an infant born of glory
Son of God, Son of Man
Gather 'round, remember now How creation held its breath
How it let out a sigh and it filled up the sky with the angels
Son of God, Son of Man
CHORUS:
So, sing out with joy for the brave little boy
Who was God, but He made Himself nothin'
Well, He gave up His pride and He came here to die like a man
Therefore, God exalted Him to the place of highest praises
And He gave Him a name above every name that at the very name of Jesus
Son of God…
CHORUS:
We would sing out with joy for the brave little boy
Who was God, but He made Himself nothin'
Well, He gave up His pride and He came here to die like a man
So, in heaven and earth and below every knee would bow in worship
Every tongue would proclaim Jesus, He reigns with the angels (Chorus) (Verse 1)
First Reading
John 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Joy To the World
By: Isaac Watts (1719)
Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing, and Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns
Let all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy
No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found
Far as, far as, the curse is found
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
Second Reading
Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Lo! How A Rose E’re Blooming
15th C. German Hymn; Translated by: Theodore Baker.
Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming as men of old have sung
It came, a flower bright
Amid the cold of winter when half-spent was the night
Isaiah 'twas foretold it the Rose I have in mind
With Mary we behold it the virgin mother kind
To show God's love aright
She bore to men a Savior when half-spent was the night
This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere
True man, yet very God
From sin and death He saves us and lightens every load
From sin and death He saves us and lightens every load
Assurance of Forgiveness
Luke 2:1-21
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
1739, Charles Wesley, adapted by George Whitefield. Based on Luke 2:14.
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 th'angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Christ by highest heav'n adored, Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th'incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace, Hail the Sun of righteousness
Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Homily Passage
Matthew 2:1-12
Leader: The grass withers, the flower fades,
All: ...but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
Homily
"A Star"
Pastor Mike McBride
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who, for us and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets; and we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
O Holy Night
Lyrics by Placide Cappeau; Music by Adolphe Adam (1847)
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night, O night divine
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim
Benediction
Silent Night
By Josef Mohr (1816)
Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in Heavenly peace
Sleep in Heavenly peace
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from Heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing, “Alleluia”
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, loves pure light
Radiant, beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Posted in Worship Guide