Scripture Reading

Luke 2: 1-7 (NRSV taken from BibleGateway)

The Birth of Jesus

1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augusts that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Scripture Reading

Luke 2: 8-20 (NRSV taken from BibleGateway)

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see -- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all those words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Evening Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come to You this holy night praising and thanking You for the most perfect Christmas gift ever given -- Your Son, Jesus Christ. Born in a stable with cows and goats and announced to shepherds on a hillside, we know that it couldn't have been any other way to make the dramatic impact that was needed on this world. While we gather with family and friends exchanging our own gifts, please help us to remember that these worldly gifts are mere tokens in comparison to sharing the love of Jesus with all we meet. Please forgive us when we have fallen short of that responsibility.

O God, please bless all those gathered in your name... In the midst of the pandemic, Lord, this year -- this Advent season -- has been different to say the least. We pray that all who read the words of scripture and hear the beautiful Christmas music will find peace and comfort, knowing that You are still present in our lives and in our world. We pray for a special blessing on those that are grieving the loss of a loved one this holiday season, those who are ill or recovering from surgery, and for those who wish they could travel but can't. For those that do travel, Lord, we pray that You will keep them safe on the road and from the virus.

As we close our prayer, Father, we thank you once again for the blessed gift of your Son and ask: Come, Child of Bethlehem, make your presence known to us and dwell in our hearts as we worship.

AMEN.