Lessons and Carols
December 24, 2008
Preston Wesleyan Church

CALL TO WORSHIP – Here I Am to Worship (Hughes); Joy to the World (Handel/Watts)

INVOCATION

FIRST LESSON Genesis 3:8-15, 17-19
God announces in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve’s punishment for their rebellion and that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.

CAROL – Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (Wesley)

SECOND LESSON Genesis 22:15-18
God promises to Abraham that by his descendants all the nations of the earth will obtain blessings.

CAROL – O Come, O Come Emmanuel

THIRD LESSON Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
The prophet announces the birth of a king to a people in darkness.

CAROL – I Wonder As I Wander (Appalachian Carol)

FOURTH LESSON Isaiah 11:1-4a, 6-9
The king is coming and will usher in a reign of justice for the poor and peace for all God’s creation.

CAROL – O Little Town of Bethlehem (Redner/Brooks)

FIFTH LESSON Luke 1:26-35, 38
The angel Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary that she will give birth to God’s promised Son, whose kingdom will never end.

CAROL – What Child Is This? (Yon/Dix)

SIXTH LESSON Luke 2:1-7
Against a backdrop of emperors and taxes, Jesus is born.

CAROL – The First Noel

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

SEVENTH LESSON Luke 2:8-16
The shepherds go to see the Savior of the world and find him lying in a manger.

CAROL – Angels We Have Heard on High (Barnes/Chadwick)

EIGHTH LESSON Matthew 2:1-11
The wise men follow a star to find the child Jesus, the King of the Jews.

CAROL – We Three Kings of Orient Are (Hopkins)

NINTH LESSON John 1:1-14
John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation

CAROL – O Come All Ye Faithful (Oakley)

CANDLELIGHTING

CAROL – Silent Night, Holy Night

BENEDICTION