Our Sacred Roots: The Priesthood of All Believers

T he B irth of C hrist

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Christmas Eve December 24, 2021

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Christmas celebrates the birth of Messiah, Jesus, who is the incarnation of the Son of God, Mary’s child. He is the Wordmade flesh, the conqueror who enters this fallen world to reveal to us the Father’s love, to destroy the devil’s work, and to redeem his people from their sins.

TODAY’S THEME Glory to God in the Highest, Luke 2.1-20

Joseph went up from Nazareth of Galilee to Bethlehem, the city of David, to be registered for the census with Mary, his betrothed, who was pregnant. While they were there, Mary went into labor and gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger. In the fields nearby, angels proclaimed the good news: Christ the Lord is born in Bethlehem, the city of David. They burst into a joyful song of praise and glory to the Father, whose love gave to us the gift of his only Son for our deliverance and salvation.

Daily Devotional Guide Preparing Our Hearts

Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation Who are we, Lord God, that you should come to us? Yet you have visited your people and redeemed us in your Son. As we prepare to celebrate His Birth, make our hearts leap for joy at the sound of your word, and move us by your spirit to bless your wonderful works. We ask this through himwhose coming is certain, whose day draws near, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

~ 146, in The Theological andWorship Ministry Unit. Book of CommonWorship . Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993. p. 177.