Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people: for unto you is born in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord

(Luke 2:10–11)

Christingle means ‘Christ’s Light’. In 1747, members of a Christians in Germany gave each a lighted candle in service like ours today, which came to our country in the late 1960’s. So this service is about Jesus, the Christ, and light.

The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you.And also with you.

Father God, as we prepare with joy to celebrate the gift of Jesus, the Christ-child, touch us with your love and be for us a living hope in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Luke 2: 1 - 14

So the Emperor, Caesar Augustusmade everyone go back to their home town so that they could be counted.And Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem the town of David, the place his family came from.He took Mary with him and while they were there the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

Away in a manger, No crib for a bed,The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.The stars in the bright sky, looked down where

he lay,The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.I love thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,And stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stayClose by me forever, and love me I pray.Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,And fit us for Heaven to live with thee there.

Luke 2: 1 - 14

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.”

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,All seated on the ground,The angel of the Lord came downAnd glory shone around.

“Fear not!” said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled minds.“Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind.”

“To you, in David’s town, this day Is born of David’s line, A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, And this shall be the sign.”

“All glory be to God on high,And on the earth be peace.Good will henceforth from Heaven to menBegin and never cease.”

Lord Jesus Christ, true Light of the World,all times and seasons belong to you. You fill this world with your gifts and give us new lifeThrough the shedding of your blood. May we walk in your light, and show your light upon

others,As we light our Christingles, bless us and help us to shine like them with your love and light. Amen.

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is brightRound yon virgin mother and Child.Holy Infant, so tender and mildSleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sightGlories stream from heaven afarHeavenly hosts sing Alleluia!Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born!

Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure lightRadiant beams from Thy holy faceWith the dawn of redeeming graceJesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

We Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, Light of the World,Shine into the lives of those who are alone and sad.We pray for children who have no homes or families;For children who are sick or disabled so they can’t play like us;For children who live in places where there is war or famine.Shine your light into their darkness. We pray for those who live in the darkness of fear,We pray for children who have run away from home or are at risk.Help us to pray and care for them that they may find safety and love. Shine your light in their darkness.

We Pray

We pray for the place we live in.That our town, our school and our homes might show your love.We pray for those in authority,Those who teach us, and those who care for us.Help us to make our world a happy and fair place,Living as you would have us live.Shine your light into our lives.

We Pray

And so Lord, as we close our prayers, we ask for your blessing.Help us to live in love and peace with one anotherThis Christmas and every day of our lives.Amen.

May the light of Christ shine in our hearts so that we may

be filled with his joy and peace.And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy

Spirit,be with us all and with those whom we love.Amen. Go in the peace of Christ, to bring light to all whom you

meet.In the name of Christ. Amen.

We three Kings

We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar.Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.O Star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright,Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy Perfect Light.

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown Him again.King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign. O Star of wonder . . .

Frankincense to offer have I, incense owns a Deity nigh,Pray'r and praising, all men raising, worship Him, God most high.O Star of wonder . . .

We three Kings

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume, breathes of life of gathering gloom.Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb. O Star of wonder . . .

Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice.Alleluia, Alleluia. Earth to heav'n replies. O Star of wonder . . .

Have Great Christmas

Once in royal David’s city,Stood a lowly cattle shed,Where a mother laid her babyIn a manger for His bed.Mary was that mother mild,Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heavenWho is God and Lord of all,And His shelter was a stable,And His cradle was a stall.With the poor, and mean and lowly,Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And our eyes at last shall see Him,Through His own redeeming love;For that child so dear and gentleIs our Lord in Heaven above;And He leads His children onTo the place where He is gone.

O little town of Bethlehem,How still we see thee lie!Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,The silent stars go by.Yet in thy dark streets shinethThe everlasting light.The hopes and fears of all the years,Are met in thee tonight.

How silently, how silently,The wondrous gift is given.So God imparts to human hearts,The blessings of His Heaven.No ear may hear his coming,But in this world of sin.Where meek souls will receive Him stillThe dear Christ enters in.

O Holy child of Bethlehem,Descend to us we pray.Cast out our sin and enter inBe born in us today.We hear the Christmas angels,The great glad tidings tell.O come to us, abide with us,Our Lord Emmanuel.

Hark the herald angels sing,“Glory to the new-born King!Peace on earth and mercy mild,God and sinners reconciled.”Joyful, all ye nations rise,Join the triumph of the skies,With the angelic host proclaim,“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”Hark the herald angels sing,“Glory to the new-born King!

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace,Hail the Sun of Righteousness!Light and life to all he brings,Risen 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 new-born King!

O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant,O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.Come and behold him, born the King of angels:O come let us adore him, O come let us adore

him,O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,Sing all ye citizens of heaven above.Glory to God, in the highest:O come let us adore him, O come let us adore

him,O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

O little town of Bethlehem,How still we see thee lie!Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,The silent stars go by.Yet in thy dark streets shinethThe everlasting light.The hopes and fears of all the years,Are met in thee tonight.

How silently, how silently,The wondrous gift is given.So God imparts to human hearts,The blessings of His Heaven.No ear may hear his coming,But in this world of sin.Where meek souls will receive Him stillThe dear Christ enters in.

O Holy child of Bethlehem,Descend to us we pray.Cast out our sin and enter inBe born in us today.We hear the Christmas angels,The great glad tidings tell.O come to us, abide with us,Our Lord Emmanuel.