Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 12/24/25
NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
CHRISTMAS EVE
December 24, 2025
8:00 p.m.
IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WELCOME TO ST. PAUL’S!
The Holy Boy Organ John Ireland
And a Little Child Shall Lead Them Jubilation Choir Text: Richard Leach Setting: Roy Hopp
Noël XII – Noël Suisse Organ Louis-Claude Daquin
Good Christian Friends Rejoice Jubilation Choir medieval Latin Tr. John M Neale
Silent Night Piano Arr. Robert J. Powell
Gloria of the Angels Jubilation Choir Douglas E. Wagner
Gesú Bambino Violin / Organ Pietro Yon Arr. Jeff Cranfill
Violin: Shaw-Hwa Yang
Piano: Dale Rogers
Jubilation Choir: Linda Berg, Tamara Brown, Melissa Hecht,
Janet Poore, Arthur Erbert, Mauro Erbert, Richard Huber,
Bob Juenger, Jerry Meyer, Pastor Mark Shaltanis
Choirmaster and Organist: Kantor Aaron Jansen
CALL TO WORSHIP (Stand) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel LSB 357
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
INVOCATION
In the name of the Father and of the Son ✠ and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
INTROIT from Psalm 98
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
The LORD has made known his salvation;
He has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
PRAYER
Let us pray. O Emmanuel, our king and our Lord, the anointed for the nations and their Savior;
Come and save us, O Lord our God, that here on earth we may walk in the light of
your presence, and in the last day wake to the brightness of your glory; for you live
and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN Hark the Herald Angels Sing LSB 380
(As the cross is brought forward, the Congregation turns to face the front)
1 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 the_angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Refrain
Refrain
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
2 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 the_incarnate Deity!
Pleased as Man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel! Refrain
3 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. Refrain
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Dearly beloved of God, we come together on this night to hear of the great miracle whereby God became flesh and dwelt among us. Because He did this in order to free us from our sin, let us first consider our transgressions and confess these before God and one another.
(We kneel for silent reflection and confession)
God of our Salvation:
we have sinned in our relationships with you and with one another. We have hurt others through our words and actions and have failed to respond to your life-giving Spirit. Have mercy on us for the sake of Jesus. Forgive us by grace, renew us in love and lead us with joy, that we may bear your peace to all the world. Amen.
To all who receive Him, who believe in His name, He gives the right to become children of God. Upon this, your confession, I, by virtue of my office as a minister of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE (Stand) Angels We have Heard on High LSB 368
1 Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains. Refrain
Refrain
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
2 Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song? Refrain
3 Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Refrain
OLD TESTAMENT READING (Be seated) Isaiah 52:7-10
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice;
together they sing for joy;
for eye to eye they see
the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
you waste places of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people;
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM JUBILATION CHOIR Angels’ Carol Words and music by John Rutter
Have you heard the sounds of the angel voices
Ringing out so sweetly, ringing out so clear?
Have you seen the star shining out so brightly
As a sign from God that Christ the Lord is here?
Have you heard the news that they bring from heaven
To the humble shepherds who have waited long?
Gloria in excelsis, Deo! Gloria in excelsis, Deo!
Hear the angels sing their joyful song.
He is come in peace in the winter′s stillness
Like a gentle snowfall in the gentle night.
He is come in joy like the sun at morning
Filling all the world with radiance and with light.
He is come in love as the child of Mary
In a simple stable, we have seen his birth.
Gloria in excelsis, Deo! Gloria in excelsis, Deo!
Hear the angels singing ‘Peace on Earth’.
He will bring new light to a world in darkness
Like a bright star shining in the skies above.
He will bring new hope to the waiting nations
When he comes to reign in purity and love.
Let the Earth rejoice at the Saviour’s coming
Let the Heavens answer with the joyful mourn.
Gloria in excelsis, Deo! Gloria in excelsis, Deo!
Hear the angels singing, ‘Christ is born’.
NEW TESTAMENT READING Ephesians 3:14-19
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL HYMN (Stand) O Come, All Ye Faithful LSB 379
1 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:
Refrain
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!
2 Highest, most holy,
Light of Light eternal,
Born of a virgin, a mortal He comes;
Son of the Father
Now in flesh appearing! Refrain
3 Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
In the highest: Refrain
4 Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory giv’n!
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing! Refrain
THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL Luke 2:1-20
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 2nd chapter.
Glory to You, O Lord.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David; to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they had heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (KJV)
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON (Be seated)
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ:
Every year it happens. Somebody asks me: “Are you going anywhere for Christmas?” and I say, “no, I have to work.”
If they know I’m a pastor, which most of them do, they usually chuckle at my response – which is what I was going for. If they don’t know I’m a pastor, they usually give some sort of sympathetic expression and then move on to a different subject so as not to further hurt my feelings. One of these years, when people ask me that question, I’m going to respond: “I don’t have any plans; are you inviting me over?”
People ask this question about a place to go for Christmas as an act of compassion. They know that Christmas is an emotional time and they’d like the other person to know that someone is thinking about them. They also know that for many people, the holiday is a time to either travel home or to welcome others to their home.
In our Advent midweek services this year, and in the daily devotional book we circulated for the season, we explored Biblical stories and insights that center around the idea of home. God knows how important our homes are to us and how they represent our longings for safety, belonging, and pride. Home is a place of great emotion for all of us. In the famous words of that young girl from Kansas: “There’s no place like home.”
I remember years ago when I was a child, my mom was once hospitalized in the days right before Christmas. She needed some surgery and was going to be just fine, but the recovery took a little longer than expected and it soon became clear that she wouldn’t be released until after Christmas. When we visited her, I asked how she was doing and she said: “Lousy. My body is healing up okay, but every hour the radio plays the song: “I’ll be home for Christmas,” and it’s killing me.
Many of you here tonight have come home for Christmas, meaning that you either grew up in this community or now have most of your family here. Others of you are “home for the holidays” in the sense that this is your regular home, even if it’s only been so for a short time. And many of our regular Sunday attenders aren’t here this evening because they’re back at their home places, visiting for the holiday.
As we all know, there’s a strong connection between Christmas and home. But the irony is that when Jesus was born, he wasn’t anywhere near his home. Jesus may have been born in Bethlehem, but his home was in Nazareth – a long distance away. We know him as “Jesus of Nazareth” not “Jesus of Bethlehem.” His family, as we heard in the reading, was only visiting Bethlehem for a census obligation.
What’s more, while Jesus was there in Bethlehem, he didn’t even have a home to stay in. There was no room in the inn.
But notice how God provided the family with at least some of the trappings of home. Instead of the cousins coming over, it was a group of shepherds. Instead of the grandparents with their extra nice presents, it was wise men bearing gifts. And instead of sleeping bags on the floor because your guests need your bed, it was a manger.
After those days in Bethlehem, Jesus and his family fled to Egypt as refugees. They did this because King Herod had heard there was a newborn king and was violently trying to stop him.
These stories from the early life of Jesus remind us that home always changes. And sometimes the change involves location – going from place to place – while at other times it involves people. Both changes can also be ones of addition or of loss.
I grew up in Iowa. And for many years after I left the state, I still always thought of it as my home. But not anymore. At least not in the same way. Too many things have changed.
Home always changes. And what’s more, home is never perfect. We often have an idealized view of home – seeing it the way we want to see it instead of the way it really is, and believing that it provides all the safety, belonging, and pride of our desires. But the reality of these homes is always different.
Our homes can be wonderful in many ways. But they are also the source of some hurt and pain. Home is where we get on each other’s nerves and lash out in sinful ways. And home is where we want things to succeed so badly that we start criticizing each other instead of supporting each other.
Home changes and home can hurt.
For these two reasons, and certainly for many others, the Holy Scriptures call us to find our true hope and identity in God and not in home. Our earthly homes can be sources of great blessing, yes, but it’s even better to be at home in the Lord.
For the remainder of tonight’s sermon, we will briefly explore three New Testament texts that speak to this teaching. Each of them mentions the concept of home, and each points to a blessing God gives.
In the third chapter of Hebrews, as the writer continues his presentation of Jesus as the fulfiller of Old Testament prophecies, he comes to a point where he compares the service of Jesus with that of Moses. Both served in God’s house, he points out. But Jesus’ service is greater because he serves as a Son. In the course of that explanation, the writer then shares that “we (meaning the followers of Christ) are God’s house.” And this is a designation we have when we “hold fast our confidence and the hope of which we boast” (3:6).
To be God’s “house” is to belong to his family. The Christmas Gospel we read earlier expresses this same meaning when it tells us that Joseph was of the “house and lineage of David.” Joseph was not only a direct descendant of the great king but also a member of the faith family the king once led.
In the same way, we New Testament believers are a part of God’s house when we belong to the Church. The church is that “house” that the Book of Hebrews has in mind.
St. Paul once compared the church to a building, of which a house is certainly a type. But the word “house” in the scriptures refers to more than just the structure. In Greek, “house” and “home” are the same word. It refers to the people too.
One of the things I’m fond of telling people at our church is that they have a “home” here. We are a family of faith, I explain, and people are welcome to make us their home church.
I find myself especially using that phrase when people’s circumstances change, like when they’re about to move to a different place or when their last family member here has died. “You always have a home here,” I say to them. It’s a way to let them know that they are important to us and that we have a continuing bond in Christ, no matter where they are.
Yes, God extends important blessings to us when we belong to his church. Family blessings. But the scriptures say more than this too.
In the Book of Second Corinthians, Paul says: “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (5:1). Here Paul points ahead to the heavenly home that awaits all believers after their death.
Paul goes on to say: “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him” (5:6-9).
Paul knows that the life to come will be much greater than the one we have here, for in that life God will make all things new. The joyful anticipation of this new life helps sustain us as we walk with by faith.
When your pastor says to you: “you always have a home here,” that’s a pretty nice thing to hear. But what’s really nice to hear, is God saying: “you always have a home here with me, in heaven.”
In the early 19th century, a young Englishman named Thomas Taylor enrolled in a course of study to become a minister in the church. But his poor health made the studies extremely difficult. Still, he labored away at them, starting and stopping a few times, and finally met the requirements to serve. However, he had to step down from his first assignment after only six months, because of poor health. A short time later, he died, at the age of 27.
His story is sad in many ways. But his own testimony tells it differently. And that’s because during his days of illness he penned the hymn: “I’m but a Stranger Here, Heaven is My Home.” This hymn, especially when paired with that beautiful and noble melody from the great composer Arthur Sullivan, has brought comfort and solace to millions and helped change their perspectives too.
Yes, heaven and the church are both blessed homes that hold out their arms in welcome to us. And this is why St. Paul would often mention in his writings how he was content with being in either one of them (see Phil. 1:23).
But there is also a third scripture we should hear when considering these things. This is the one we read in tonight’s Second Reading, where we are urged to “bow [our] knees before the Father… so that Christ may dwell in [our] hearts” (Eph. 3:14, 16).
If “home is where the heart is” … and by all accounts, that’s where it tends to be… then we want our hearts to be drawn to the right kind of home. And this will only happen when our hearts themselves are the right kind of home.
Let’s face it, a sense of belonging can be found in many places – some of which are not so healthy. And pride can be found in all kinds of places and circumstances too. But safety – at least true safety – can only be found in the Lord God. That’s the case with true joy and holiness too.
To achieve these, our home is to be where Christ is. And to make this happen, Christ needs to dwell in our hearts.
Thankfully, the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us” – John 1:14. This is the “Good News” message the Church has us read on Christmas morning. In these great words we are assured that Christ can dwell in our hearts, since he once dwelled among us.
When Jesus was carrying out his ministry, in those days when he appeared before us and lived bodily among us, he once saw a man named Zacchaeus watching him from a tree. Zacchaeus had climbed up in that tree because he was short and wanted a better look at the healer from Nazareth that everyone was talking about.
Jesus noticed the curiosity of this man, but even more, Jesus also knew of this man’s pain – his pain of being an outsider and a sinner. In his great compassion, and because of his great desire to extend salvation, Jesus stopped in front of the man and said: “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today” (Lk. 19:5).
Jesus says the same thing to each of us. He wants to stay in our house. And he wants to be there because he knows that we all need him and because he loves us and wants to be with us.
In Jesus, you always have a home. And with Jesus in your home, you always have the true joy and blessing of Christmas.
In his holy name. Amen.
HYMN (Stand) From Heaven Above To Earth I Come LSB 358
1 “From heav’n above to earth I come
To bear good news to ev’ry home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I now will say and sing:
2 “To you this night is born a child
Of Mary, chosen virgin mild;
This little child of lowly birth
Shall be the joy of all the earth.
3 “This is the Christ, our God Most High,
Who hears your sad and bitter cry;
He will Himself your Savior be
From all your sins to set you free.
4 “He will on you the gifts bestow
Prepared by God for all below,
That in His kingdom, bright and fair,
You may with us His glory share.
NICENE CREED Hymnal, back cover
I 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 men 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 sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I 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 worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life ✠ of the world to come. Amen.
OFFERING
Offerings support the church’s mission work – both here and through our many partners. Offerings may be placed in the box at the sanctuary entrance or sent to the church through our website or the mail. Fellowship Cards help us welcome new people and track participation. Please fill one out and place it in the offering box following the service.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH (Kneel)
The response to each petition will be:
Let us pray to the Lord:
Lord have mercy.
OFFERTORY (Stand) LSB 621
1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly-minded,
For with blessing in His hand
Christ our God to earth descending
Comes our homage to demand.
2 King of kings yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
In the body and the blood,
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heav’nly food.
✠✠✠
COMMUNION LITURGY
PREFACE TO HOLY COMMUNION
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose way John the Baptist prepared, proclaiming Him the promised Messiah, the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and calling sinners to repentance that they might escape from the wrath to be revealed when He comes again in glory. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
SANCTUS LSB 161
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;
give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
PAX DOMINI LSB 163
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI LSB 163
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
DISTRIBUTION (Be seated)
Those wishing to commune at the foot of the steps should come forward first. Those wishing to commune at the altar rail should come forward after these, front rows first, from both sides of the aisle. After receiving, all should return to their seats. A common dismissal will be given at the end.
COMMUNION HYMN Where Shepherds Lately Knelt LSB 369
1 Where shepherds lately knelt and kept the angel’s word,
I come in half-belief, a pilgrim strangely stirred;
But there is room and welcome there for me,
But there is room and welcome there for me.
2 In that unlikely place I find Him as they said:
Sweet newborn babe, how frail! And in a manger bed:
A still, small voice to cry one day for me,
A still, small voice to cry one day for me.
3 How should I not have known Isaiah would be there,
His prophecies fulfilled? With pounding heart I stare:
A child, a son, the Prince of Peace for me,
A child, a son, the Prince of Peace for me.
4 Can I, will I forget how Love was born, and burned
Its way into my heart—unasked, unforced, unearned,
To die, to live, and not alone for me,
To die, to live, and not alone for me?
COMMUNION HYMN Infant Holy, Infant Lowly LSB 393
1 Infant holy,
Infant lowly,
For His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing,
Little knowing
Christ the child is Lord of all.
Swiftly winging,
Angels singing,
Bells are ringing,
Tidings bringing:
Christ the child is Lord of all!
Christ the child is Lord of all!
2 Flocks were sleeping,
Shepherds keeping
Vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory,
Heard the story,
Tidings of a Gospel true.
Thus rejoicing,
Free from sorrow,
Praises voicing,
Greet the morrow:
Christ the child was born for you!
Christ the child was born for you!
BLESSING
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER (Stand)
O God, as you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
SHARING THE CANDLELIGHT
(The congregation’s candles are lighted from the Christ Candle. In passing the flame, DO NOT TIP A LIGHTED CANDLE. The candles remain burning until after the benediction.)
HYMN Silent Night, Holy Night! LSB 363
1 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.
2 Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav’nly hosts sing, Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
3 Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
PRAYER
BLESSING (Extinguish candles following the Blessing)
HYMN Joy to the World LSB 387
1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3 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.
4 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.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE WITH TRUMPET Joy to the World Setting: Kristina Langlois
THOSE SERVING IN OUR MIDST:
Greeter: Steve Berg
Reader: Lynn Jacquez
Communion Assistant: Jill Hecht
Acolytes: Miriam Buuck
Flute: Stephanie Poore
Trumpet: Amelia Jansen
Acknowledgments
Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series C, Quarter 1. Copyright © 2021 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2025 Concordia Publishing House.
357 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Text: Latin, c. 12th cent.; Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, 1710, Köln; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–66, alt. Text: Public domain
380 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Text: Charles Wesley, 1707–88, alt. Tune: Felix Mendelssohn, 1809–47 Text and tune: Public domain
368 Angels We Have Heard on High Text: tr. The Crown of Jesus, 1862, Part 2, London, alt. Text and tune: French Text and tune: Public domain
379 O Come, All Ye Faithful Text: tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802–80, alt. Text and tune: John F. Wade, c. 1711–1786 Text and tune: Public domain
358 From Heaven Above to Earth I Come Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt. Tune: Geistliche lieder, Leipzig, 1539, ed. Valten Schumann Text and tune: Public domain
369 Where Shepherds Lately Knelt Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919–2008
Tune: Carl F. Schalk, 1929–2021 Text: © 1986 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: © 1986 GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
393 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Text: tr. Edith M. G. Reed, 1885–1933, alt. Text and tune: Polish Text and tune: Public domain
363 Silent Night, Holy Night Text: Franz Joseph Mohr, 1792–1848; tr. John F. Young, 1820–85 Tune: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1787–1863 Text and tune: Public domain
387 Joy to the World Text: Isaac Watts, 1674–1748 Tune: George Frideric Handel, 1685–1759, adapt. Text and tune: Public domain
