Service Sunday December 24, 2025
HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH
Minden, Ontario
All are Welcome!
Christmas Eve
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward
Music Director: Melissa Stephens
Watch a video recording of the whole service using YouTube below.
(For a Printer Friendly PDF version click this link)
The Gathering
Christmas Personality Quiz:
If you could, which Bible character would you choose to be? Mary? Shepherds? Angels? Joseph? Wise Men? Or The Innkeeper? Pick one and remember your choice for later!
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LAND:
We acknowledge that we live, work, worship, and play on the traditional lands of the Williams Treaties Peoples. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus once again, we remember everything this birth means for our whole world and all people: hope, peace, joy, and love. May we live our lives moving gently in creation, listening, learning, and striving to be people of reconciliation.
Written by Jessica Knoyle, Ottawa, Ont.
Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Easter 2022-2023, p.27. Used with permission.
THE APPROACH
HYMN: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” VU #60 vs 1, 3 & 4
1 O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem:
come and behold him, born the King of angels;
Refrain O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
3 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
glory to God in the highest: Refrain
4 See how the shepherds summoned to his cradle,
leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear;
we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps; Refrain
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Every year, into our shadowed world,
ALL: a light is born.
One: Every year, into our complicated lives,
ALL: hope is born,
One: Every year,
ALL: the Christ child comes to the world.
One: Every year, and this year,
ALL: we celebrate in hope, in gratitude, and in joy.
Written by Beth W Johnston, Bridging Waters P.C. Nipawin, Sask.
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2025, p.33. Used with permission
HYMN: “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” VU #44 1&4
1 It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold,
'Peace on the earth, good will to all,
from heaven's all-gracious King!'
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.
4 For, lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophets seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold,
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendours fling,
and the whole world send back the song
which now the angels sing.
ADVENT CANDLE-LIGHTING LITANY:
One: We light this Candle of Hope thankful for Mary, who accepted the responsibility of bringing Jesus into the world.
ALL: The commitment of Mary is light to us this Christmas Eve.
(Relighting the Candle of Hope)
One: We light this Candle of Peace thankful for Joseph and for his willingness to venture to Bethlehem with Mary.
ALL: The faith of Joseph is light to us this Christmas Eve.
(Relighting the Candle of Peace)
One: We light this Candle of Joy thankful for the shepherds, who responded with joy to Jesus' birth.
ALL: The witness of the shepherds is light to us this Christmas Eve.
(Relighting the Candle of Joy)
One: We light this Candle of Love thankful for the angels who shared the good news.
ALL: The proclamation of the angels is light to us this Christmas Eve.
(Relighting the Candle of Love)
One: We light this Christ Candle thankful for God’s son, whose birth we celebrate tonight and whose story changes lives.
ALL: Jesus is the light of our lives this Christmas Eve and throughout the year.
(Lighting the Christ Candle)
ADVENT HYMN: “A Candle Is Burning” VU #6 1&5
1 A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December's dark night.
While angels sing blessings from heaven's starry sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.
5 We honour Messiah with Christ-candle's flame,
our Christmas Eve candles glad tidings proclaim.
O come, all you faithful, rejoice in this night,
as God comes among us, the Christian's true light.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
THE WORD
Scripture: Luke 2: 1-7
HYMN: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” VU #64 vs 1&2
1 O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
2 For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth.
Scripture: Luke 2: 8-20
HYMN: “Angels We Have Heard on High” VU #38 vs 1&4
1 Angels we have heard on high
sweetly singing o'er the plains,
and the mountains in reply,
echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
4 See him in a manger laid,
whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while our hearts in love we raise. Refrain
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12
MESSAGE
“The Christmas Story”
Your Lines…
Mary - “I think the baby is coming.”
Shepherds – “Let’s go see the baby RIGHT NOW!”
Angels – “Gloria! Gloria! Gloria! A baby is born!”
Joseph – “Help me do the right thing!”
Wise men – “Who would ever have thought a king would live here?”
Innkeeper – “How long are you people all staying?”
Listen to an audio recording of the Message below or read it at the bottom of this page.
OUR RESPONSE
HYMN: “What Child is This” VU #74
1 What child is this, who laid to rest,
on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
while shepherds watch are keeping?
Refrain
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!
2 Why lies he in such mean estate
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading. Refrain
3 So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh;
come, one and all, to own him.
The King of Kings salvation brings;
let loving hearts enthrone him. Refrain
Opening Rev. Diane Bennett-Jones’ Christmas Gift
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER: In Unison
God, you have blessed us beyond imagining, blessed us in the wonder of creation, blessed us with friendships, blessed us with talents and abilities, and blessed us with the gift of a chosen child to Mary. And because you have blessed us, we gladly return these gifts for use as we serve you. We believe that they will go to work for good through our church and in faith communities far from here. As you have blessed us, so we believe you will bless all who will receive the gifts we offer this Christmastime with hope, joy, peace, and love. Amen.
Written by David Sparks, Rossland, B.C.
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2025, p.35. Used with permission
HYMN: “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” VU #58
1 Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing,
noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is born for all.
Christ the babe is born for all!
2 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 babe was born for you.
Christ the babe was born for you!
DISTRIBUTION OF THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS
HYMN: “Silent Night, Holy Night” VU #67
1 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.
2 Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight:
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah,
Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born.
3 Silent night! Holy night!
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.
SUNG BLESSING: (MV #220)
Love shines as the solitary star.
Faith is the inner light.
You and I together mirror the Light of Lights,
and illumine the pathway home. ©
SENDING FORTH:
A Time of Fellowship
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748, Valid for: 26/10/2025 - 25/10/2026; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches.
2025 12 24
THE CHRISTMAS STORY:
Based on Luke 2 & Matthew 2
Christmas is all about a story, a story that changed the world.
And it’s a story that each of us is part of.
When you first came in, you may have had time to look at the Christmas Personality Quiz in the bulletin.
If not, please do so now, and quickly choose a character.
How many of you are Mary?
Shepherds?
Angels?
Joseph?
Wise Men?
Innkeeper?
Now, each of you has a line – so listen carefully…
Mary? – here’s your line in the story: “I think the baby is coming.”
You will say it three times throughout the story, with more urgency each time!
Try your line....
Shepherds? – your line – “Let’s go see the baby RIGHT NOW!”
Try your line....
Angels? – your line – “Gloria! Gloria! Gloria! A baby is born!”
Try your line....
Joseph? – your line – “Help me do the right thing!”
Try your line....
Wise men? –- “Who would ever have thought a king would live here?”
Try your line....
Innkeeper? – “How long are you people all staying?”
Try your line....
OK, now we’re ready!
A long time ago, a man and a woman had to make a journey.
They had to go from one town called Nazareth all the way to another town called Bethlehem.
It was a long walk – and they had to walk because there were no cars, no buses, no aeroplanes – and it took them several days to get there.
The trip was really hard for Mary because Mary was pregnant – and, as they were walking along, Mary said to Joseph:
“I think the baby is coming.”
This blew Joseph away, because he didn’t know how to deliver a baby, so Joseph said:
“Help me to do the right thing!”
On they walked.
Finally, finally, finally, they got to Bethlehem which was their destination.
But Bethlehem was very, very busy and there was nowhere for them to stay.
They ended up knocking on an innkeeper’s door, and the innkeeper said:
“How long are all you people staying?”
And Mary said:
“I think the baby is coming!”
So the innkeeper gave them a place to stay out back in the barn where the animals lived.
There just wasn’t any room in the inn.
Now, while Mary and Joseph were getting settled in the stable, Mary said:
“I think the baby is coming!” one last time, and then – wow!
The baby was born!
A little boy, kicking and screaming and crying the way babies do when they are born.
The most beautiful sound in the world.
Wow!
Joseph was overwhelmed by it all, and he said:
“Help me to do the right thing!”
Mary took the baby and wrapped him up to keep him warm, and put him in the manger, because they didn’t have a cradle or a crib.
Now, just outside of town, there were some shepherds who were looking after their sheep at night.
They had to protect them from wolves or other animals that might hurt them.
And right there, in the quiet of the night, all at once, they were disturbed.
The angels said:
“Gloria! Gloria! Gloria! A baby is born!”
This was news to the shepherds, but they thought they’d better find out what was happening.
So the shepherds said:
“Let’s go see this baby RIGHT NOW!”
And off they headed to the barn.
It was a beautiful thing to be there so soon after the baby was born.
Mary and Joseph were glad of the company – and they were both very tired.
Mary and Joseph and Jesus stayed there a long time; in fact, it was almost two years later when they had some other visitors – wise men, or magi, who came from a country far away.
They too had a long walk, although they spent some of their time on the backs of their camels to make it a bit easier.
They were very rich and could travel in style.
When they arrived, they brought very expensive presents for the baby.
And the wise men said:
“Who would ever have thought a king would live here?”
That’s because the baby, whose name was Jesus, was a very special baby.
The wise men presented their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
In a dream, they were warned not to tell King Herod where Jesus lived.
So they worked out another route, left without being seen and went home.
As they were leaving, the wise men thought and said to each other,
“Who would ever have thought a king would live here?”
The End…it is really only the beginning…
Thanks for helping me tell the Christmas Story.
Babies like music – and we’re going to hear some now to finish off the story.
A baby would like it a lot.
Let’s sing, “What Child Is This”
LITTLE ONE, WE KNEW YOU’D COME
What do you know about the day you were born?
Think about some of the stories you have heard.
Or maybe you haven’t heard much at all, but want to know more...
While you are having supper tonight, perhaps you could talk about that – what you know and what you guess about your birth.
Because every baby brings its own love with it and the stories of its birth.
A few minutes ago, we heard the story of Jesus’ birth, and, like every baby ever born, it was a very special time.
Let’s pray together.
In the prayer when you hear the words, “Little One,” please say, “We knew you’d come.”
O great and Wonderful God,
Holy Spirit and Jesus.
Tonight, we remember and celebrate Jesus birth.
Little One,
We knew you’d come.
Thank you, God, for coming at Christmas.
Thank you for Jesus being born,
and for Mary and Joseph looking after him.
Thank you for the innkeeper who gave them a place to stay,
and thank you for the angels, shepherds and wise men who told about his birth.
Little One,
We knew you’d come.
Thank you for our families,
and for people who look after us.
May we always know how much you love us,
and may we always love one another,
and care for the world you love so much.
Little One,
We knew you’d come,
And we are thankful.
Amen.
Thanks to Rev. Bob Root for the inspiration. 2019.
