It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold.
“Peace on the earth, goodwill toward men,
from heaven’s all gracious King”;
the world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.
For lo! The days are hastening on,
by prophet bards foretold,
when with the ever circling years
comes round the age of gold,
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendours fling,
and the whole world give back the song,
which now the angels sing.
(Words: Edmund H Sears, Music: Richard Storrs Willis.
Words & Music: Public Domain; Church CCLI # 2458953)
ADVENT WREATH – The Candle of Peace
L = Leader C = Congregation
L: In this season of Advent, we celebrate God’s peace.
C: Jesus Christ, born the Prince of Peace,
calls our community to justice
and leads us in the way of peace.
L: We call one another to honesty and humility
and respond to each other with abundant grace and forgiveness.
C: Our community values relationships.
We live in harmony with one another even when we disagree,
and strive to glorify God in everything we do.
L: Our community longs for unity.
We work together with other churches and organizations,
and live out God’s reconciling love for all the world to see.
C: Together, we are a sign of God’s peace in the world.
(The Candle of Peace is lit)
L: Let us pray:
C: God of all people and all nations,
you break through the cynicism
of our world
and lead us like a gentle shepherd.
Open our eyes to see the signs of
your coming kingdom
and inspire us to participate
in all you are doing
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Sung Response: Peace is a Ribbon #119 verse 2
Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
giving a promise of safety and worth.
When God is a child
there’s joy in our song.
The last shall be first
and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.
(Words: Brian Wren, Music: Joan Collier Fogg
Words & Music: © 1989 by Hope Publishing Co. Church CCLI # 2458953)
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.
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold Him come,
offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the God-head see!
Hail the incarnate deity!
Pleased on earth with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
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 the lost of earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
glory to the newborn King.