Christmas Eve service

Christmas Eve: Lessons and Carols
Wednesday, December 24, 2025, 6:00 pm
Worship live on Sundays in person at 11:00 am
or online via YouTube at noon.

Leader: light print / People: bold print / * Please stand as you are able.

* CALL TO WORSHIP
Isaiah 60:1-2
Arise, shine, for your light has come!
The glory of the Lord rises upon you! Amen. 

OPENING PRAYER
Praise the Father, who sent us His Son Jesus! Praise Christ the Lord, who saves us from sin and death! Praise the Spirit, who unites in love and sends us out in joy! Praise the Father, Son, and Spirit who lead us into eternal salvation! Amen.

OPENING HYMN
“Once in Royal David’s City”
hymnal #175

LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

FIRST LESSON
Isaiah 9:6-7
read by Bryan and Stacey Johnson

First Reader: Tonight we gather to remember with the prophet Isaiah:

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
We gather to once again bask in the glory that visited a stable and a manger, shepherds watching their flocks, and a young couple cradling the newborn Messiah.
Second Reader: We light the Christ candle as a sign of the glory that came among us in unexpected places and to unexpected people, that we may be people who seek and follow the glory of the Christ child here and now.

the center candle of the Advent wreath is lit

* HYMN
“O Come, All Ye Faithful”
hymnal #147

SPECIAL MUSIC
“Almost There”
Amy Grant / Michael W. Smith / Ron King
Erin Stoel – flute
Dana, Leah, and Kara Jackson – vocals

SECOND LESSON
Isaiah 11:1-9
read by Eric Hillabrant

HYMN
“Angels, from the Realms of Glory”
hymnal #159

THIRD LESSON
Luke 1:26-35, 38
read by Mary Spriggs

HYMN
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
hymnal #154

* FOURTH LESSON
Luke 2:1-7
read by Mark Westlind

* HYMN
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
hymnal #157

FIFTH LESSON
Luke 2:8-16
read by Peter Eikenbary-Barber

HYMN
“The First Noel”
hymnal #167

* SIXTH LESSON
Matthew 2:1-12
read by Pastor Ryan

HOMILY
“Wise Guys”
Pastor Ryan

* HYMN
“Away in a Manger”
hymnal #164

* SEVENTH LESSON
John 1:1-5 
read by Pastor Ryan

* HYMN
“Silent Night, Holy Night”
hymnal #172

the candles are lit throughout the congregation

(The wick of the receiving candle should be dipped into the flame of the giving candle in order to prevent dripping wax.)

GOD INVITES US TO GATHER AGAIN
We’ll be back here for worship this Sunday at 11:00 am. We hope you can join us.
Information on ravenscov.org.

Our church exists to love and worship God, and love and care for others. By God’s grace, we commit to help people find and follow Jesus Christ through the guidance of His Spirit and His word.