Christmas Eve
Celebrating the Birth of Christ
Please rise in body or spirit as you desire
PRELUDE
A Holy Night: In Dulci Jubilo & Venite Adoremus
A. Adam / German & Italian Carols
VOCAL INTROIT
Still, Still, Still – Austrian Carol
Promise Fulfilled by Michael Perry & Hal H. Hopson
Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace) – anon
WELCOME
Rev. Ann Conklin
LIGHTING THE ADVENT & CHRIST CANDLES
Bill, Tiare, Paul and Grace Dodson
The prophet Isaiah shared a word with a waiting world. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined…For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders.”
He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
“His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time onward and forevermore."
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
As we stand faithfully on the brink of God’s time, we enjoy the light from the candles of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.
Tonight we faithfully enter God’s time. We light the Christ Candle to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus, the Light coming into the world.
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING SONG #128
(to the tune of Infant Holy, Infant Lowly)
Candles Glowing, promise showing Jesus born a baby small.
Hosts rejoicing, shepherds voicing – praising Christ the Lord of all.
God is with us, shout hosanna, raise a chorus, singing ever:
Praising Christ the Lord of all! Praising Christ the Lord of all!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Rev. Ann Conklin
Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy.
To us is born this day in the city of David a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace!
Let us go now to Bethlehem.
OPENING HYMN #133 – O Come, All Ye Faithful
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!
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation!
Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!
PRAYER
Rev. Ann Conklin
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION
On Christmas Night – Sussex Carol
FIRST READING
Isaiah 9:2–7 – Sabrina Geshay
CAROL Hymn #145 – What Child is This?
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?
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary!
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.
Raise, raise the song on high. The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary!
SECOND READING
Micah 5:2–5a – Chuck Curtis
CAROL Hymn #121 – O Little Town of Bethlehem
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.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
THIRD READING
John 1:1–5 – Rev. Ann Conklin
MEDITATION
Light and Life to All! – Rev. Ann Conklin
PRAYERS OF CHRISTMAS EVE
Rev. Ann Conklin
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
OFFERING
Chuck Curtis
The Christmas Eve offering will further the ministry of First Presbyterian Church and it’s local partners.
OFFERTORY
Jesus, Oh, What a Wonderful Child – Spiritual, arr. Lloyd Larson
SEEING THE SCRIPTURE STORY: A TABLEAUX
Luke 2:1–7
Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus – Sophia Kanard
CAROL Hymn #115 – Away in a Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes
I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
And stay by cradle ‘til morning is nigh.
Luke 2:8–14
Shepherds hear good news of great joy – Stephen Frank
CAROL Hymn #119 – Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king.”
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise; join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king.”
Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!
Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king.”
Luke 2:15–20
The shepherds journey to Bethlehem – Mark Croshaw
CAROL Hymn #136 – Go, Tell It on the Mountain
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,
behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.
Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born,
and God send us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.
Matthew 2:1–11
The Magi come to worship the Christ – Cheryl Long
UNISON PRAYER – “Candles for Christmas” by Howard Thurman
I will light candles this Christmas--
Candles of joy despite all sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of graces to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all the year long.
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION
Go Light Your World by Kathy Troccoli
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE / PASSING THE LIGHT
Receive the light of Christ from an usher or a neighbor.
Kindly pass the light from your candle to your neighbors.
Tip your unlighted candle, then hold it straight.
CAROL Hymn #122 – Silent Night
As the light is passed, soloists will sing one verse in German before everyone sings these verses:
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.
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.
Silent night, holy night!
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!
PROPHECY FULFILLED
Hebrews 1:1–3 – Rev. Ann Conklin
SENDING HYMN #134 – Joy to the World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love, And wonders of his love,
And wonders, wonders of his love.
BENEDICTION
Rev. Ann Conklin
POSTLUDE
The Newborn King – French carols, arr. Casey Molino Dunn
Join us in the Christian Fellowship Center for hot mulled cider and cookies following the service.
THE COMMUNITY IN WORSHIP ON
Christmas Eve
7:00 pm
2025
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara
21 East Constance Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
805.687.0754 | www.fpcsb.org
CCLI License #817711
- Pastor
- Rev. Ann Conklin
- Parish Associates
- Rev. Dr. Gordon Hess, Rev. John Burnett, Rev. Dr. John Harris & Rev. Dr. Mark Watson
- Director of Music Ministries
- Casey Molino Dunn
- Children’s Ministries Director
- Susan Croshaw
- Commissioned Lay Pastor
- Chuck Curtis
- Commissioned Ruling Elder
- Diane Kirkpatrick
- Media Arts & Sound
- Justin Walker, Calli Marquez
Merry Christmas!
Instrumentalists
Dave Bazinet, drums
Alexander Kanard, cello
Eleanor Kanard, cello
Lillian Kanard, viola
Lucy Kanard, upright bass
Sophia Kanard, violin
Jacob Martinich, trumpet
Christmas Eve Choir – * soloist
Jo Bakker
Yvonne Bazinet*
Sharon Chandler
Linda Crist
Charles Cussalli
Paul Dodson
David Molino Dunn*
Timothy Hamilton*
Bob Kanard
Eleanor Kanard
Lillian Kanard
Lucy Kanard
Sophia Kanard
Angela Lamar*
Jeff Long
Jacob Martinich
Jan O’Connor
Michael O’Connor
Elizabeth Schmid
Joan Taylor