Service of the Word For Christmas Day 
Presented by 

Prelude: Three Festive Carols 
Michael Kuhnert, organ, and John Schwartz, piano; Trinity Lutheran Church, Quakertown 
Welcome and Introduction 
Bishop Patricia A. Davenport 
Gathering Song: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” 
Kingdom Choir of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Exton 
1 O come, all ye faithful, 3 Sing, choirs of angels, joyful and triumphant! sing in exultation, O come ye, O come ye to sing, all ye citizens of heaven Bethlehem; above! come and behold him, Glory to God born the king of angels: in the highest:  
Refrain: O come, let us adore him, Refrain O come, let us adore him, 
Text: attr. John Francis Wade, 1711-1786; tr. Frederick 
O come, let us adore him, 
Oakeley, 1802-1880, sts. 1, 3 
Christ the Lord! 
Apostolic Greeting 
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 
And also with you. 
Prayer of the Day 
All-powerful and unseen God, the coming of your light into our world has brightened weary hearts with peace. Call us out of darkness and empower us to proclaim the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 
Readings 
Isaiah 62:6-12 God comes to restore the people. 
Psalm 97 Light dawns for the righteous and joy for the honest of heart. 
Titus 3:4-7 Saved through water and the Spirit. 
John 1:1-14 The Light comes into the world. 
The Sermon: “God’s Downward Bent” 
The Rev. Dr. Robert H. Linders Theologian-in-Residence St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Doylestown 
Hymn of the Day: “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!” 
Choir of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Spinnerstown 
1 Hark! The herald angels sing, offspring of a virgin's womb. "Glory to the newborn king; Veiled in flesh the Godhead see! peace on earth, and mercy mild, Hail, incarnate deity! God and sinners reconciled." Pleased as man with us to dwell, Joyful, all you nations, rise; Jesus, our Emmanuel! Refrain join the triumph of the skies; with angelic hosts proclaim, 3 Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace! "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hail the Sun of righteousness! 
Light and life to all he brings, 
Refrain ris'n with healing in his wings. Hark! The herald angels sing, Mild he lays his glory by, "Glory to the newborn king!" born that we no more may die, 
born to raise each child of earth, 
2 Christ, by highest heav'n adored, born to give us second birth. Refrain Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold him come, Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt. 
Prayers of Intercession 
With wonder and thanksgiving for Christ’s coming into the world, we pray for the church, the life of the earth, and the whole human family. 
A brief silence is kept. 
The church in every land makes a joyful noise to herald your coming, O God. We give thanks for poets, musicians, and hymn writers who give voice to our praise, and for all who lead the church’s worship. God of grace, hear our prayer. 
This day dawns with new hope for all living things, and from ocean depths to mountain peaks the earth rejoices. Inspire in us an urgent zeal to protect the planet and renew its resources (local environmental concerns may be named). God of grace, hear our prayer. 
Bring heavenly peace to this world and an end to armed conflict. Raise up leaders in every nation who will honor human rights and establish equal justice for all people. Give courage to all who speak out against oppression and advocate for the powerless. God of grace, hear our prayer. 
Guard the lives of any in danger, especially those who work to protect others. Lead any who are in desperate circumstances to sanctuary, help, and safety. Grant rest to the weary and soothe those who are troubled. God of grace, 
hear our prayer. 
Bless all who gather to worship on this holy day. Be present at our tables and celebrations, and watch over those who travel. Sustain charities, outreach ministries, and food pantries that give generously to people in need (local organizations may be named). God of grace, hear our prayer. 
In Christ we have beheld your glory, full of grace and truth. We give thanks for those in every generation who reflect the light of Christ. May their witness shine forth in our time. God of grace, hear our prayer. 
Pondering the mystery of eternal love made flesh in Christ Jesus, we commend all for whom we pray to the mercy of God. Amen. 
Hymn: “Jesus, What a Wonderful Child” 
Choir and musicians of Reformation Lutheran Church, Mt. Airy 
Jesus, Jesus 
Oh what a wonderful child  He was herald by the angels  
Jesus, Jesus  Born in a lowly manger  
So lowly meek and mild  The virgin Mary was His mother  
New life, new hope  And Joseph was His earthly father  
New joy He brings  Three wise men came from afar  
Won't you listen to the angels sing  They were guided by a shining star  
Glory, glory, glory  Just to see King Jesus where He lay  
To the newborn King  In a manger filled with hay  
Robert Elkins  

Prayer for Light 
Let us pray: O God of justice and love, we give thanks to you that you illumine our way through life with the words of your Son. Give us the light we need, awaken us to the needs of others, and at the end bring all the world to your feast; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever. Amen. 
The Lord’s Prayer 
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. 
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. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. 
Anthem: “To Thee, My Heart I Offer” 
Choir of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Phoenixville 
Sending 
Christ the Savior is born! Go in peace. Proclaim this good news. 
Thanks be to God. 
Postlude: “Christmas Praise” 
Michael Kuhnert, organ, and John Schwartz, piano; Trinity Lutheran Church, Quakertown 
Music included in this recording is covered by One License reprint and podcasting license A-713089, CCLI copyright license 2520458 and streaming license CSPL088234, or is in the public domain. 
“Three Festive Carols” (instrumental): Arr. Mark Hayes and Marvin Gaspard [© 1998 GlorySound, a Division of Shawnee Press, Inc.] Used by permission. 
“O Come, All Ye Faithful”: Text and tune: Public Domain. 
“Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!”: Text and Tune: Public Domain. 
“On This Day Earth Shall Ring”: [Played during prayers] Arr. Tammy Waldrop [© 2014 Lorenz Publishing Company, a Division of the Lorenz Corporation] Used by permission. 
“Jesus, What a Wonderful Child”: African American Traditional/Robert Elkins [© 2003 G3 Worship Music, Ltd. (Admin. by G3 Music Publishing)] Used by permission. 
“To Thee My Heart I Offer”: Text: Anonymous, 1653. Arr. Elaine Hagenberg [© 2020 Brekenhorst Press, Inc.] Used by permission. 
“Christmas Praise” (instrumental): Arr. Don Phillips [© 1998 GlorySound, a Division of Shawnee Press, Inc.] Used by permission. 
Thank you to the musicians who provided recorded selections to include in this service! 
Liturgy reproduced under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License SAS006887 

Liturgy and Prayer Leaders: 
Bishop Patricia A. Davenport The Rev. Moses Suah-Dennis The Rev. Robert Fisher Ms. Cynta Outterbridge The Rev. Bryan Penman The Rev. Stacey-Kyle Rea 
Production and editing by the Rev. Robert Fisher