Sample 45 minute Christmas Day service

Opening video

Welcome, notices, creche toys at back

Quiet, light candle and say opening prayer

Praise be to our Lord and God,
for he has come to his people and set them free.
Jesus has been born
to save us from our sins.
They will call him Emmanuel
for God is with us.    

Carol: O come all ye faithful

Prayers

Gospel reading

Ten minute All Age talk

Carol: not sung at lessons and carols

Explanation of communion

Christmas Creed:
We believe in God
The eternal Father;
Heaven and earth are full of his glory.
We believe in God the Son;
The Word who became flesh;
Who came from the Father full of grace and truth.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit
Who gives us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
In the face of Christ.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

Communion: As a solo is sung

Words of institution:
On the same night that he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks,
he gave it to them, saying: “Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Amen

A pause for private prayer.

Prayer of thanksgiving said along these lines:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in your word you teach that whenever we eat and drink, we proclaim Christ’s death until he comes again. And so we thank you that in your tender mercy you gave your only Son Jesus Christ, to be born as a baby for our salvation; to live a perfect life, and then die for our sins, that we might forever enjoy peace with you. And in full assurance of your promises to us through him, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart, nor loved our neighbours as ourselves. Lord, forgive us our sins, change us by your Holy Spirit, and as we share in this bread and this wine, grant that we might also share in Christ. Draw us together as one body, and strengthen us in our souls, that we may continue in faith and so come to feast with him in his heavenly kingdom. Amen.

We receive communion.

The Lord’s Prayer

Carol: Joy to the world

Closing prayer: So may we receive the one who was Born of Mary, yet is Mighty God; may we trust the one who was a child without speech, yet is the eternal word; may we marvel at the one who was wrapped in infant cloths, yet who is robed in glory, and may we serve the one laid in a manger, yet who is enthroned as King of Heaven and Earth. Amen.