CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
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24, 2025
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+ An ABC Christmas + WELCOME
ADULT MESSAGE—The ABCs of Christmas
HYMN—Hark! The Herald Angels Sing The children will enter during the singing of this hymn.
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707–1788, alt. Tune: Felix Mendelssohn, 1809–1847. Text and tune: Public domain.
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Christian Worship 350
READING
Luke 1:28-33
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The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.” 29
But she was greatly troubled by the statement and was wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God. 31Listen, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”
is for ANGELS
READING
Luke 2:1-7
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In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 And everyone went to register, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. 6
And so it was that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
is for BETHLEHEM
is for EXHAUSTED
is for CENSUS
is for FAMILY
is for DONKEY
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CHILDREN’S SONG—Christmas Bells
Children of the CLC
Christmas Bells, Christmas Bells ring them out today Christ was born in Bethlehem to take our sins away Christmas Bells, Christmas Bells ring them out today Tell all the world of Jesus' love this happy Christmas Day
READING
Luke 2:8-14
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There were in the same country shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified! 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: 11 Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind.”
is for GOOD NEWS
is for IMAGINE
is for HOPE
is for JOY
CHILDREN’S HYMN—Away in a Manger
Children of the CLC
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky, and stay by my side until morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, and take us to heaven to live with you there.
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is for KING
is for MANGER
is for LOVE
CHILDREN’S SONG—Baby Jesus
Children of the CLC
Baby Jesus, baby Jesus, born to us, born to us. Come let us adore Him, Come let us adore Him. Joyously, joyously. Baby Jesus, Baby Jesus Born to us, Born to us You came to save us, You came to save us Amen, Amen Baby Jesus, Baby Jesus We love you, We love you We’re going to heaven, we’re going to heaven Thank you, Thank you
is for NOEL
is for OFFERING
CHILDREN’S SONG—Little Star of Bethlehem
Children’s Choir
High above in the sky so bright shined a star on that holy night Leading all to Christ the King, a light for all to see. With your light, shine so bright, little Star of Bethlehem. With your light, shine so bright, lead us to him, little Star of Bethlehem. Like the star over Bethlehem, I will shine all my light for Him, Leading all to Christ the King, a light for all to see. With your light, shine so bright, little Star of Bethlehem. With your light, shine so bright, lead us to him, little Star of Bethlehem. Text: Monica Scott © 2024 Monica Scott, monicascottmusic.com.
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is for PEACE
is for REVEALED
is for QUIET
is for STAR
READING
Matthew 2:1-11
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After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, when Herod was king, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, 2“Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4He gathered together all the people’s chief priests and experts in the law. He asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, because this was written through the prophet: 6
You, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are certainly not least among the rulers of Judah: because out of you will come a ruler, who will shepherd my people, Israel.” 7
Then Herod secretly summoned the Wise Men and found out from them exactly when the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report to me, so that I may also go and worship him.” 9
After listening to the king, they went on their way. Then the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them, until it stood still over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with overwhelming joy. 11After they went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
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is for TINY
is for VIRGIN MARY
is for UNIVERSE
is for WISE MEN
is for CHRIST
is for ZEAL
is for YOU
CHILDREN’S HYMN—Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Children’s Choir
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! 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!
LORD’S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace. Amen.
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HYMN—Go, Tell It on the Mountain
Christian Worship 361
Text: African American spiritual, refrain; John W. Work II, 1873–1925, verses, alt. Tune: African American spiritual. Text and tune: Public domain.
Thank you for joining us for worship this Christmas Eve. We pray that God will continue to strengthen you in your faith through his Word, during this blessed season and beyond. If you are a guest with us today and do not have a church home, we would consider it a special privilege to share God’s Word with you on a regular basis. To learn more about our congregation, please visit our website: GraceLutheranSAZ.org. We invite you to join us on Sunday mornings for worship at 10:00 AM!
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