Sunday Meditation, December 20
Celebrating the Birth of Our Savior
Scripture Meditation: Luke 2:10-12
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
Prayer of Blessing
Responsive Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
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. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 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. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Ministry of the Word
Prayer of Corporate Confession
Silence for Personal Confession
Assurance of Pardon: The Lord’s Supper
Instrumental Meditation for the Bread
Ministry of the Word
Instrumental Meditation for the Cup
Transition to Singing
Feel free to leave at this time or stay for the indoor singing.
Hymn of Salvation: Exult in the Savior’s Birth
Shepherds watched their flocks at night, attending lowly sheep.
Now within a cattle shed, a much stranger watch they keep.
Today, a Savior has been born and He is Christ, the Lord.
Placed within a humble trough, this baby must be adored.Pagan wise men from the East seek out the infant King.
Trackless miles behind them lie, and now all their rev’rence bring.
They have come to worship Him with spices and with gold.
Countless millions seek Him still, whose advent was long foretold.For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is giv’n.
He shall reign in righteousness, this Counselor King from heav’n.
The government will rest on Him; He is the mighty God.
Prince of Peace, this gentle King, yet rules with a mighty rod.Scriptures say that Mary’s boy was born that He might die.
Angel voices burst in praise; their harmony fills the sky.
Sing, “Glory in the highest heav’n.” Sing, “Gracious peace on earth.”
Those on whom His favor rests, exult in the Savior’s birth.Sing, “Glory in the highest heav’n.” Sing, “Gracious peace on earth.”
Those on whom His favor rests, exult in the Savior’s birth.Copyright 2013 McKinney Music, Inc. (BMI) (admin. by LifeWay Worship c/o Music Services, www.musicservices.org) Doxology & Theology Publishing (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission. CCLI #2783020
Matt Boswell and D. A. Carson
Hymn of Hope: Hope of Israel
In Bethlehem, one holy night
A host of angels filled the sky;
They sang to tell the world who waits,
Our Savior comes
This Christmas Day.Chorus:
God is with us,
Christ our Savior,
Jesus our Emmanuel.
He shall reign our King forever,
The hope of Israel.
The wise men traveled from afar;
They followed close a shining star,
With costly gifts before Him lay;
Our King was born
This Christmas Day.Peace on earth, goodwill to men;
Let violence and all hatred end,
For born to us the Prince of Peace,
This Christmas Day
Our song shall be:Words and music by Jason Ingram, Chris Tomlin, Ben Fielding, and Reuben Morgan
© 2019 Capitol CMG Paragon / S. D. G. Publishing / SHOUT MP Brio (BMI)
CCLI #2783020
Hymn of Emmanuel: Sing We the Song of Emmanuel
Sing we the song of Emmanuel;
This the Christ who was long foretold.
Lo in the shadows of Bethlehem,
Promise of dawn now our eyes behold.
God Most High in a manger laid;
Lift your voices and now proclaim:
Great and glorious, Love has come to us;
Join now with the hosts of heaven.Come we to welcome Emmanuel;
King who came with no crown or throne.
Helpless He lay, the Invincible,
Maker of Mary, now Mary’s son.
O what wisdom to save us all,
Shepherds, sages, before Him fall.
Grace and majesty, what humility;
Come on bended knee, adore Him.Go spread the news of Emmanuel;
Joy and peace for the weary heart.
Lift up your heads, for your King has come;
Sing for the Light overwhelms the dark.
Glory shining for all to see,
Hope alive, let the gospel ring.
God has made a way, He will have the praise;
Tell the world His name is Jesus.Words and Music by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Stuart Townend, and Keith Getty
© 2015 Getty Music Publishing (BMI)/Messenger Humns (BMI)/Getty Music Hymns and Songs (ASCAP)/Love Your Enemies Publishing (ASCAP)/Townend Songs (PRS) (adm. by MusicServices.org in the US and Canada and by www.songsolutions.org elsewhere in the Word.)
*All Scripture, English Standard Version. © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission.