3. Jesus, what didst Thou find in me, How great the joy that Thou hast brought Jesus, my Lord, I thee adore O, make me love Thee more and more. 4. Jesus, of Thee shall be my song, To Thee my heart and soul belong: All that I have or am is Thine, And Thou, blest Saviour, Thou art Mine. Jesus, my Lord, I Thee adore: Oh, make me love Thee more and more. -H. COLLINS (1854) IX-CLOSING PRAYER In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians 4:6, 7.) THE BIRTH OF JESUS I-INVOCATION (ALL STANDING) Our heavenly Father, who hast in thy good providence brought us again to see this day on which we celebrate the birth of thy dear Son, so direct our thoughts and our acts through this hour that we may feel the deep and abiding joy which may be ours, because of the coming of the Savior to dwell among men of old; and grant, O Lord, that he may ever live anew in the hearts and lives of each one here today, and through all the coming days. We ask it in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. II-SONG (ALL STANDING) Carol R. S. Willis (1819-1900) 1. It came up - on the mid-night clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bend-ing near the earth To touch their harps of gold; "Peace on the earth, good will to men, From heaven's all-gracious King:" The world in sol-emn still-ness lay To hear the angels sing. 2. Still through the cloven skies they come And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on heavenly wing 3. For lo! the days are hastening on, When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendors fling, And the whole world sends back the song A-men. Amen. III-SCRIPTURE READING-Leader: (ALL SEATED) Now, in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God. Thou shall bring forth a son and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the son of the most High. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it unto me according to thy word. And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste into a city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth, her cousin, saying (read responsively): My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit bath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. And holy is his name. And his mercy is unto generations and generations On them that fear him. He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. He hath put down princes from their thrones, And hath exalted them of low degree. The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath given help to Israel his servant, That he might remember mercy (As he spake unto our fathers) Toward Abraham and his seed forever. IV-SONG (ALL STANDING) Christmas Song Karl P. Harrington (1861-) There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky! There's a mother's deep prayer, And a baby's low cry! And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing; For the man-ger of Beth-le-hem cra- dles a King. Amen. And we echo the song That comes down through the night From the heavenly throng. Ay! we shout to the lowly evangel they bring And we greet in his cradle our Savior and King! Amen. JOSIAH G. HOLLAND |