Christmas Eve Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
from umcdiscipleship.orgThis service takes the form of the "Lessons and Carols" found in The United Methodist Book of Worship, pages 284-288. The prayers listed may be taken from that book, or others may be substituted — including several from The United Methodist Hymnal. Although it is possible to sing exclusively from The Faith We Sing for this service using the selections below, please note that not all selections from that book closely match the theme of the Scripture immediately associated with it. Also many of these selections from The Faith We Sing will be new or unfamiliar to most congregations. It is recommended that The Faith We Sing and The United Methodist Hymnal be used together in selecting the carols. Musical selections recommended here are suggestions only, and only one title should be sung with each Scripture.
(It is appropriate to include a congregational candle lighting service to conclude the Lessons and Carols, either before or after the Dismissal.)
- GATHERING
- PROCESSIONAL HYMN
- 2093 (TFWS) The Snow Lay on the Ground
- 250 (UMH) Once in Royal David's City
- THE BIDDING PRAYER
- THE LORD'S PRAYER
- BLESSING
- 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
- 2095 (TFWS) Star-Child
- 196 (UMH) Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
- SECOND LESSON - Genesis 22:15-18
God promises to Abraham that by his descendants all the nations of the earth will obtain blessings.
- CAROL
- 2099 (TFWS) Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine
- 211 (UMH) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (stanzas 1,2,4,7)
- 116 (UMH) The God of Abraham Praise (stanzas 1-3)
- THIRD LESSON - Isaiah 9:2,6-7
The prophet announces the birth of a king to a people in darkness.
- CAROL
- 2089 (TFWS) Wild and Lone the Prophets Voice
- 205 (UMH) Canticle of Light and Darkness
- 216 (UMH) Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (stanzas 1,2)
- 210 (UMH) Toda La Tierra (All Earth is Waiting, stanzas 1,4)
- FOURTH LESSON - Isaiah 11:1-4a,6-9 or Micah 5:3-5a
The king is coming and will usher in a reign of justice for the poor and peace for all God's creation.
- CAROL
- 2091 (TFWS) The King of Glory Comes
- 216 (UMH) Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
- 230 (UMH) O Little Town of Bethlehem
- 210 (UMH) Toda La Tierra (All Earth is Waiting, stanzas 1,4)
- FIFTH LESSON - Luke 1:26-35,38
The angel Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary that she will give birth to Gods promised Son, whose kingdom will never end.
- CAROL
- 2097 (TFWS) One Holy Night in Bethlehem
- 199 (UMH) Canticle of Mary
- 198 (UMH) My Soul Gives Glory to My God
- 200 (UMH) Tell Out, My Soul
- 215 (UMH) To a Maid Engaged to Joseph
- 197 (UMH) Ye Who Claim the Faith of Jesus
- SIXTH LESSON - Luke 2:1-7
Against a backdrop of emperors and taxes, Jesus is born.
- CAROL
- 2098 (TFWS) The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy
- 228 (UMH) He Is Born
- 235 (UMH) Rock-A-Bye, My Dear Little Boy
- 241 (UMH) That Boy-Child of Mary
- 245 (UMH) The First Noel (stanza 1)
- SEVENTH LESSON - Luke 2:8-16
The shepherds go to see the Savior of the world and find him lying in a manger.
- CAROL
- 2096 (TFWS) Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow
- 72 (UMH) Gloria, Gloria
- 229 (UMH) Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
- 221 (UMH) In the Bleak Midwinter (stanzas 1, 2)
- 245 (UMH) The First Noel (stanzas 1, 2)
- EIGHTH LESSON - Matthew 2:1-11
The wise men follow a star to find the child Jesus, the King of the Jews.
- CAROL
- 2094 (TFWS) Carol of the Epiphany
- 243 (UMH) De Tierra Lejana Venimos (From a Distant Home)
- 248 (UMH) On This Day Earth Shall Ring
- 254 (UMH) We Three Kings
- 221 (UMH) In the Bleak Midwinter
- NINTH LESSON - John 1:1-14
John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
- CAROL
- 2100 (TFWS) Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
- 234 (UMH) O Come, All Ye Faithful
- 239 (UMH) Silent Night, Holy Night
- COLLECT
- DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING