If you are unable to attend a Church Service, why not follow the service below in prayer and make spiritual communion with Our Lord Jesus Christ? Perhaps you have been working in essential services, are caregiver at home or ill in bed. Perhaps you have been unable to attend a church service to offer worship, due to circumstances beyond your control.
All of your intentions have been held before the Lord.
The Christmas Church Service:
Priest: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Congregation: "Amen."
Priest: "The Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem:
Angels rejoice and shepherds stand amazed. Alleluia!"
CONFESSION:
Priest: "Christ has come to set us free from sin.
Let us turn to Him to ask for purity of heart. May the Light of the Redeemer Christ shine within our lives.
Lord, have mercy."
Congregation: "Lord, have mercy."
Priest: "Christ, have mercy."
Congregation: "Christ, have mercy."
Priest: "Lord, have mercy."
Congregation: "Lord, have mercy."
Priest: "May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life."
Congregation: "Amen."
READING:
Priest: "A reading from the gospel of St Luke, chapter 2, verses 1 to 16.
"In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria). Everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee in Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and town of David.
"He went there to register with Mary, his espoused wife, who was expecting a Child. While they were there, the time came for the Baby to be born, and she gave birth to her Firstborn, a Son.
"She wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. There were shepherds living out in the field nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
"An Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the Glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the Angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring great news that will bring great joy to all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you. He will be wrapped in cloths, and laid in a manger."
"Suddenly a great company of the Heavenly Host appeared with the Angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest Heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His Favour rests."
"When the Angels had left them and gone into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another: "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
"So they turned off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger.
"This is the Word of the Lord."
Congregation: "Thanks be to God."
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT:
Priest: "On this holy night, we return to a story so familiar that it can almost pass by us unnoticed: Mary and Joseph knocking on doors, searching for shelter, seeking a place where Love itself might be born. And yet, behind the simplicity of the story lies a profound truth; one that reaches into every human heart. For in a very real sense, each one of us is an innkeeper. Each of us is given a choice: Will there be room for Jesus?
The innkeeper in the Gospel is never named, never condemned, never praised. Scripture leaves him quietly in the background: because his place is meant for us. The question is not about what he did, but what we will do. Our hearts, like that inn, may be busy, crowded, weary, or distracted. Still, Christ comes, gently and humbly, asking not for comfort or grandeur, but for welcome.
For some, the choice is clear: Will I follow Christ, or will I not? God never forces Himself upon us. Love waits. Love invites. Love respects our freedom. If, in the past, we have chosen otherwise; if we have said “not now,” or “there is no room”, then Christmas whispers to us that it is never too late to choose again. The door can always be opened. The stable can always be prepared. Grace begins the moment we say yes.
For others, perhaps we once followed but have grown tired, wounded, disappointed, or distracted. Faith may have slipped quietly into the background of our lives. To you, Christmas speaks gently: Come back. Not to judgment, not to shame, but to mercy. Christ is not born into perfect hearts; He is born into broken ones. He waits patiently for your return, not with reproach, but with open arms.
For those who have followed Christ faithfully, Christmas still offers a new beginning. To follow Jesus is not a single decision, but a daily one. Tonight invites us to follow Him anew; with deeper trust, renewed love, and a more generous heart. Even long-time disciples are called to make room again, clearing out fear, resentment, and complacency, so that Christ may live more fully within us.
If there are those among us who do not yet know Christ, who are still searching, questioning, wondering, this holy night extends a tender invitation: Come and see. You do not need to understand everything. You do not need to have everything in order. You need only the courage to open the door. For when Christ enters a heart, He brings light where there was darkness. Jesus brings meaning where there was emptiness. The Redeemer brings hope where there was longing.
Dear friends, the world today is aching, The world is starved for love, fractured by division and wounded by indifference. What the world needs most is not louder voices or harder hearts, but souls made beautiful by Christ. When we make room for Jesus, we become living reflections of His love. We change the lives of others through kindness, empathy, compassion, tolerance, and understanding. We change the world not by force, but by love.
Tonight, the Child is born again; not only in Bethlehem, but in every heart that chooses Him. Let us open the door. Let us make room. Let us become the inn where Christ is welcomed, cherished, and shared with a world that needs God’s love, and ours, so very much.
Happy Christmas!"
ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST:
If you wish to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, please visit the following Prayer Chapel:
http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/how-to-receive-jesus-christ-as-your.html
REPENTANCE OF SIN:
If you wish to visit the Chapel of Repentance, visit the following Prayer Chapel:
http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2017/03/prayer-chapel-of-repentance.html
BREAKING OF BREAD:
Priest: "Almighty God, You sent Your only Son to our world because You loved us so much. We praise You, Father, that on the night before He gave His Life, our Lord Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: "Take, eat, this is My Body which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me."
Congregation: "Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life,"
Priest: "After the same manner, He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying: "Take this, all of you, and drink, for this is My Blood: the Blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me."
Congregation: "Lord Jesus, You are the Cup of Life, the wine that is blessed for our salvation."
(Here spiritually partake of the Body and Blood of Christ within in the Eucharist. Be assured He has come to you.)
Spend some time in silent prayer.
THE LORD'S PRAYER:
Priest and congregation: "Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen."
BLESSING:
Priest: "Holy Jesus, by being born us of us,
and humbly lying in a manger,
You show how much God loves the world.
Let the light of Your Love always shine in our hearts,
until we reach our home in heaven,
and see you on Your Throne of Glory.
Amen."
FINAL HYMN: SILENT NIGHT
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born.
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
