We welcome you here in the name of Jesus : may the story of His birth bring new meaning into each of our lives.

We also welcome some of the people from "Joy Ministries" who worship here on the first Sunday of each month.

There will be no collection taken during this service. There is a donation box at the back of the church if you should desire to leave an offering.

Some "housekeeping" information :

• The toilets are between this church and the Hall at the back.
• If anyone is new and would like to be included on the Church lists, please fill in the card at the end of the seats and hand it in to me after the service.
• Music for the Carols we shall sing in this service is available; please put your hand up if you would like a copy of it.

Thank you.

Please stand for the Carol.

The Christmas Tree : a symbol of HOPE

The fir tree is a symbol of HOPE in the European winters, where many of the trees in the woods are leafless and dead-looking. The fir trees, however, show up very clearly in the woods with their green branches, as do the holly bushes with their green leaves and red berries. Both these trees affirm the HOPE that spring will come and the trees will be leafy again.

In the Old Testament section of the Bible there are many references to the promised Messiah, the hoped-for One who would come to save Israel and establish God's rule on earth. The Jewish people were mostly expecting a conquering hero who would come and establish His reign on earth.

But, instead, Jesus came to establish God's kingdom on earth, not as an earthly ruler but as a heavenly ruler. This Ruler's subjects would live on earth but their allegiance would be to their heavenly King, Jesus; they would live their lives in and for Jesus here on earth, and, after death, continue to live with Him in heaven.

Isaiah Chapter 9 verses 6 - 7 tells us a little about Jesus, the promised Messiah :

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders, and He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Today we tell you the story of this Child's birth.

Please remain sitting for the Carols that are part of the Christmas story - but DO join in singing them ! !

God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee named Nazareth. He had a message for a young woman promised in marriage to a man named Joseph. Her name was Mary.

The angel : a symbol of PEACE.

( Mary comes to back down hospital side aisle. )

PAUSE

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
And everyone went to his own town to register.

Joseph could not find anywhere for them to stay, as all the inns were full. Eventually an innkeeper offered them his stable.

Suddenly an angel appeared among them -

At "bright with the glory" : switch on Christmas tree spotlight and main spotlights. )

The shepherds were badly frightened. ( Shepherds look frightened. )

You will find a baby wrapped in cloth, lying in a manger.

PAUSE

The Lamb : a symbol of LOVE

The Jewish ritual included much animal sacrifice.

Christians believe that these animal sacrifices are no longer needed because Jesus's death on the Cross is the supreme sacrifice and He has opened the way for a new and more intimate relationship with God, a relationship that is based on hope, peace and LOVE.

When the great army of angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other -

PAUSE

The star : a symbol of WISDOM.

At about that time some astrologers arrived in Jerusalem and enquired at Herod's Palace :

"O little town of Bethlehem, you are not just an unimportant Judaean village, for a governor shall rise from you to rule My people Israel."

2.   Glorious now, behold Him arise,   King, and God, and sacrifice !   Heaven sings "Alleluya";   "Alleluya", the earth replies.   O - star of wonder, star of night,   Star with royal beauty bright,   Westward leading, still proceeding,   Guide us to thy perfect light.

Mary and Baby return to back, Soloist prepares to lead next carol, organist plays chorus of "The stars danced".

after Christmas

The candystick : a symbol of JESUS

PAUSE

Listen to a story about the candystick.

A Candymaker's Witness.

A Candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candystick. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolise the Virgin birth and the sinless nature of Jesus; hard to symbolise the solid rock, the foundation of the Church and the firmness of the promises of God.

The Candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Saviour. It could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.

Unfortunately, the candy became known as the candystick - a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the meaning is still there for those who "have eyes to see and ears to hear".

I pray that this symbol will again be used to witness to the wonder of Jesus and His great love that came down at Christmas and remains the ultimate and dominant force in the universe today.

Christmas tree lights : Jesus, Light of the world

PAUSE

Thank you, Lord God, for the wonderful HOPE that we have in You. Help to increase our faith so that we may KNOW You more intimately. Fill us, Lord God, with Your PEACE and Your Love so that we may reach out in LOVE to our families, our friends and to the wider community in which we live.
May we be people who shine for Jesus wherever we go.
Amen.

Together we prayerfully sing :

Grace for the barbecue.

Angel Gabriel
Angels
Caller
Herod
Jewish Leader
Joseph
Leader
Mary
Narrator
Shepherds ( at least three )
Storyteller
Wise man 1
Wise man 2
Wise man 3