Call to Worship

         "Hark!" In old English, this word means "Listen!" It’s a command, however, with a bite. When the angels suddenly appeared that first Christmas night, those shepherds out in their fields were too frightened to do anything else but pay close attention to what was said and sung in the sky. They harkened!

         What about us? Has this story we have received grown so familiar that it no longer bites us? Or do we allow it to grab our attention such that all we can do is turn away from every distraction and listen?

         Hark! Open your ears and eyes! Pay attention this hour! Don’t let the familiarity of the music lull you to sleep. Instead, listen to what you sing. This first hymn, for instance, is packed with meaning. Charles Wesley wrote the words to teach about the "Incarnation of Christ." Originally, there were ten verses. We will only sing the three found in our hymnal.

         As we sing them, however, "Hark!"  Pay attention!  Listen as, perhaps, you have never listened before! "The herald angels sing ... GLORY!"
                

Opening Prayer

         We’re listening, Lord. You have our attention. We open not only our ears and eyes, but also our heart, mind, and strength to the awesome glory of King Jesus, our Immanuel. May you be "newborn" in us right now through your Holy Spirit.

         Forgive the ways in which we have turned from you, O God, and how we have been distracted from what is most important. May the words we have just sung reveal the truth - "God and sinners reconciled" in Christ Jesus, your Son, who was "born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth."

         We hearken to you, Lord. Speak to us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
      

Affirmation of faith

He was the Son of God.
         He was the Son of Man.
He came down from heaven.
         He was born in a stable.
Kings came to his cradle.
         His first home was a cave.
He was born to be a king.
         He was a child of Mary.
He was the greatest among rulers.
         He was the least among servants.
He was loved and honored.
         He was despised and rejected.
He was gentle and loving.
         He made many enemies.
He counseled perfection.
         He was a friend of sinners.
He was a joyful companion.
         He was a man of sorrows.
He said, "Rejoice."
         He said, "Repent."
"Love God with all your heart."
         "Love your neighbor as yourself."
"Don't be anxious."
         "Count the cost."
"Deny yourself."
         "Ask and receive."
In him was life.
         He died on a cross.
He was a historic person.
         He lives today.
He was Jesus of Nazareth.
         He is Christ the Lord.

Hymnal #714
adapted from We Gather Together, Kenneth I. Morse,
©1979 Brethren Press.

Responding with our Tithes and Offerings

         This week there will be gifts under the tree in most of our homes. We’ve spent a lot of time and effort (if not also a great deal of money) looking for just the right gift for a loved one. No doubt, others have been doing the same for us. Maybe we’re still in the middle of the search.

         Just now, let’s hearken, let’s pay attention to another kind of gift. Let me ask, is there a present under your tree for Jesus? Maybe not one which is wrapped in pretty paper with a ribbon and bow. This is, perhaps, not something that can fit into any box you have stored in your house for such a time as this. Even so, is there a gift for Jesus from you?

         Think back over this year which will soon draw to a close. What have you done to give glory to the newborn King? In what ways has this King been newborn in you? Think "outside the box." You might be surprised. The gifts we give to those we love, after all, are more than what can be boxed and shared on one day this week. So, also, our offerings to Christ aren’t solely what we wrap in an envelop and place in the plate.

         Christmas is a time to remember God’s awesome gift to us in Jesus. But it’s a gift that keeps on giving year-round. In return, are our gifts to him year-round? Are you making a connection between Christmas and the rest of the year? That’s something to ponder as the offerings plates are passed. As you give, be in prayer, responding to these questions. Don’t, however, leave the questions in the plate. Take them with you. May the same be said of you as was said of the mother of Jesus, "Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

         Will the ushers come forward to serve.