Christmas Eve Program 2025
UPADTES
12/02/2025 – as of December 2nd, the following changes were made:
- The tune for All My Heart this Night Rejoices was replaced with the tune of TLH #523 which is very similar but easier for the children to sing
- A new slower recording of What Child Is This has been uploaded to this site.
- The melody for Away in a Manger was replaced with the correct version
12/04/2025
- Minor Edits
- Updated downloadable PDF
Children’s Hymns
Hymn: Prek – 2 “Away in a Manger”
- Melody replaced with the correct version
Hymn: K -8 What Child Is This? (WS 712)
- NOTE: New better recording uploaded
Hymn: K -8 “All My Heart This Night Rejoices” st. 1,3,6,7 (TLH 77)
- NOTE: We switched the tune to Warum Solt’ Ich, which is hymn 523 in the TLH
Hymn: K -8 “Behold, a Branch Is Growing” st. 1-3,5 (TLH 645)
Hymn: K -8 “Where Shepherds Lately Knelt” st. 1-3 (WS 715)
Hymn: K -8 “Now Sing We, Now Rejoice” (TLH 92)
Program
Opening Hymn: Congregation
“Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel” (TLH 62)
Prek- 2nd: Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
CHILDREN’S SONG (PreK – 2) “Away in a Manger”
- Melody replaced with the correct version
1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
2 The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle until morning is nigh.
3 Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay
Close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
And take us to heaven to live with you there.
INTRODUCTION
Narration: Adia
Have you ever heard the phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words”? Sometimes things that are difficult to explain verbally can be better understood when depicted visually. Throughout scripture God uses pictures to teach us about Immanuel, the promised child who saved us from our sin.
1. FROM PROBLEM TO PROMISE
Narration: Preston
In the first book of the Bible—Genesis, chapter 3—we’re told that God created two perfect humans called Adam and Eve. They disobeyed God’s command and brought the corruption of sin into the world. When God gave the first promise of the Savior, he spoke to Satan the tempter, who was in the form of a serpent.
Recitation: Titus & Flynn
I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel. (Genesis 3:15).
Narration: Lizzie
The promised Savior would be born from mankind. God paints a picture of this offspring of Eve crushing Satan and all his power underfoot. The serpent was a picture of the evil that came into the world
Lakely
The serpent is also a picture of Jesus. When the Israelite camp was infested with poisonous snakes, God commanded Moses to make a snake of bronze and hang it on a pole before the people. God promised that all who looked at the bronze snake would be spared from death. This is a picture of Jesus who would be lifted up on a cross to save all people.
Recitation: Remy
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:14-16).
Hymn: Children – What Child Is This? (WS 712)
- NOTE: New better recording uploaded
1 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!
2 Why lies He in such mean estate
Where oxen now are feeding?
Good Christians, fear; For sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through;
The cross He’ll bear for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The babe, the Son of Mary!
3 So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
Come, peasant, king, 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!
2. FROM SACRIFICE TO SUBSTITUTE
Narration: Hunter K.
God appeared to Abraham and promised that his descendants would number as many as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. God also promised that the Savior would be born from his family. Then God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac.
Recitation: Wyatt
Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” (Genesis 22:7-8).
Narration: Mason
Isaac did not die that day. As Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, God stopped him and provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac.
Hunter Q
Both Isaac and the ram are pictures of Jesus. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice for us. As God the Father rightfully raises his hand to kill each of us for our sins, he stops himself and provides his own Son as our substitute to die in our place.
Recitation: Reagan
[Jesus] committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth . . . who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness– by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Peter 2:22,24).
Hymn: Congregational Hymn – “O Rejoice, Ye Christians, Loudly” (TLH 96)
3. FROM LAMB TO LOVING SACRIFICE
Narration: Ryker
The grandson of Abraham was Jacob, to whom God gave the name Israel. His descendants became the nation of Israel, and they were enslaved in Egypt for hundreds of years. God used the nation’s exodus from Egypt as yet another illustration that points to our Savior, the Lamb of God. On the night before the Israelites were freed from slavery, God gave the following instructions to Moses:
Recitation: Jackson
Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, On the tenth day of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it.
Ellie & Millie & Remy
The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:1,3,7,13)
Narration: Grace
The blood of the slaughtered lamb protected the Israelites from the righteous wrath of God. Centuries later John the Baptist, who was Jesus’ cousin, pointed to Jesus as the perfect sacrifice whose blood would cleanse the world from their sins. Recalling the final plague in Egypt and the blood of the lamb by which God’s people were saved from death, John points to Jesus with these words:
Recitation: K-2
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
Hymn: Children – “All My Heart This Night Rejoices” st. 1,3,6,7 (TLH 77)
* NOTE: We switched the tune to Warum Solt’ Ich, which is hymn 523 in the TLH
All my heart this night rejoices
As I hear Far and near
Sweetest angel voices.
“Christ is born,” their choirs are singing
Till the air Everywhere
Now with joy is ringing.
Shall we still dread God’s displeasure,
Who, to save, Freely gave
His most cherished Treasure?
To redeem us, He hath given
His own Son From the throne
Of His might in heaven.
He becomes the Lamb that taketh
Sin away And for aye
Full atonement maketh.
For our life His own He tenders
And our race, By His grace,
Meet for glory renders.
Hark! a voice from yonder manger,
Soft and sweet, Doth entreat:
“Flee from woe and danger.
Brethren, from all ills that grieve you
You are freed; All you need
I will surely give you.”
Text: Paul Gerhardt, 1607–1676, abr., adapt.; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–1878, alt.
4. FROM BRANCH TO BETHLEHEM
Narration: Sophia
After delivering his people from slavery in Egypt, God led the nation of Israel to the land of Canaan. Here, Jesse’s son David would one day rule the nation of Israel. The prophet Isaiah tells us that the line of David would be the stump from which the branch of the promised Savior would come forth.
Recitation: Sawyer P
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:1-3).
Narration: Sawyer K & Mari
The prophet Micah points to the Messiah who would be born in Bethlehem, the town of King David.
Recitation: Andy
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting. (Micah 5:2)
K-8 – Christmas Story Part 1
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)
Hymn: Children – “Behold, a Branch Is Growing” st. 1-3,5 (TLH 645)
Behold a branch is growing
Of loveliest form and grace,
As prophets sung, foreknowing;
It springs from Jesse’s race
And bears one little Flower
In midst of coldest winter,
At deepest midnight hour.
Isaiah hath foretold It
In words of promise sure,
And Mary’ s arms enfold It,
A virgin meek and pure.
Through God’s eternal will
This Child to her is given
At midnight calm and still.
The shepherds heard the story,
Proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of Glory,
Was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
And in the manger found him,
As angel heralds said.
O Savior, Child of Mary,
Who felt our human woe;
O Savior, King of Glory.
Who dost our weakness know,
Bring us at length, we pray.
To the bright courts of heaven
And to the endless day.
Text: German 16th cent.; tr. Harriet R. K. Spaeth, 1845–1925, sts. 1-3; John C. Mattes, 1876–1948, st. 4, alt.
5. FROM MAJESTY TO MANGER
Narration: Wyatt
When the time came for the Savior to come to earth, he was born and placed in a manger. Isaiah clearly shows us this is no ordinary baby. He came from heaven and became human, born of a virgin. He is God with us: Immanuel.
Recitation: Mason
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6).
3-8 Christmas Story Part 2
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:8-14)
6-8 Christmas Story Part 3
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (Luke 2:15-20)
Hymn: Children – “Where Shepherds Lately Knelt” st. 1-3 (WS 715)
1 Where shepherds lately knelt and kept the angel’s word,
I come in half-belief, a pilgrim strangely stirred;
but there is room and welcome there for me,
but there is room and welcome there for me.
2 In that unlikely place I find him as they said:
sweet newborn babe, how frail! And in a manger bed:
a still, small voice to cry one day for me,
a still, small voice to cry one day for me.
3 How should I not have known Isaiah would be there,
his prophecies fulfilled? With pounding heart I stare:
a child, a son, the Prince of Peace for me,
a child, a son, the Prince of Peace for me.
Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919–2008 © 1987 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
6. FROM JONAH TO ETERNAL JOY
Narration: Isabella
The birth of the Savior would be meaningless had he not completed the work he came to accomplish. Jesus himself pointed to his own death and resurrection when he talked with the Pharisees and the teachers of the law about the sign of Jonah.
Recitation: Andy
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:40).
Narration: Preston
The final illustration of Immanuel points to his death and victory over the grave. Jesus completed the work of salvation when he rose from the dead. He crushed the power of Satan and proclaimed victory over death. Through His resurrection we too will live eternally in heaven.
Recitation: Ryker
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)
Narration: Adia
God’s pictures point us to his Son, Jesus—the King of kings who came from heaven and was born in a manger. He became one of us. He lived perfectly in our place. He suffered the punishment of our sin. He rose again from the dead. Because of all this, we are have victory over sin and death and promised eternal joy in heaven, where we will join to sing the praises of the King of kings forever.
Hymn: Children – “Now Sing We, Now Rejoice” (TLH 92)
Now sing we, now rejoice,
Now raise to heaven our voice;
He from whom joy streameth
Poor in a manger lies;
Not so brightly beameth
The sun in yonder skies.
Thou my Savior art!
Thou my Savior art!
Come from on high to me;
I cannot rise to Thee
Cheer my wearied spirit,
O pure and holy Child;
Through Thy grace and merit,
Blest Jesus, Lord most mild,
Draw me unto Thee!
Draw me unto Thee!
Now through His Son doth shine
The Father’s grace divine.
Death o’er us had reigned
Through sin and vanity;
He for us obtained
Eternal joy on high.
May we praise Him there!
May we praise Him there!
Oh, where shall joy be found?
Where but on heavenly ground?
Where the angels singing
With all His saints unite,
Sweetest praises bringing
In heavenly joy and light.
Oh, that we were there!
Oh, that we were there!
Text: Latin hymn, 14th century; tr. Arthur T. Russell, 1806–1874, alt.
OFFERING, PRAYER, AND LORD’S PRAYER
P . . . in whose name we join to prayer:
all 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen