December 24
The Birth of Jesus
Year 1 ( 2022 – 2023 )
Text:
Luke 2:1-14, [15-20]
Summary:
Mary and Joseph journey to Bethlehem. The Child is born.
Congregational Song Suggestions
A Narrative “Christmas Vigil” Lessons and Carols
Reading 1: Genesis 1:1-5 – God Speaks Light into the Chaos
“Awake! Awake and Great the New Morn”
GTG 107
“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
GTG 108
Reading 2: Genesis 15:1-6 – God’s Promise to Abram beneath the Stars
“A Thousand Stars”
Adam M. L. Tice
“Now the Heavens Start to Whisper”
GTG 94 (JEFFERSON), VT 237 (SUO GAN)
Reading 3: Exodus 1:13-20; 2:1-10 – The Strength of the Midwives and the Birth of Moses
“Let Hope Be Reborn*”
Chris Shelton
Available from Unbound at giamusic.com
(*This text may be set to one of the more familiar tunes for “Away in a Manger.”)
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Reading 4: 1 Samuel 16:1, 4-13 – The Anointing of David at Bethlehem
“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
ELW 272, GTG 129, VT 216
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
ELW 279, GTG 121, VT 245
“Once in Royal David’s City”
ELW 269, GTG 140
Reading 5: Isaiah 9:1-7 – A Child Has Been Born for Us
“The People Who Walked in Darkness”
GTG 86, OLOFOB 279
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
ELW 270, GTG 119, VT 247
Reading 6: Luke 2:1-7, [8-20] – Jesus is Born
“Born in the Night, Mary’s Child”
GTG 158
“Love Has Come”
GTG 110, VT 258
“Noche anunciada (Night Long Awaited)”
Argentina – VT 242
“Who Would Think That What Was Needed”
GTG 138
Beyond the Hymnal
“Come Darkness, Come Light”
by Mary Chapin Carpenter