WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD (Psalm 97:1-7)
 Let the earth shout with joy at the sovereignty of the LORD:
sun-drenched beaches, reefs and distant islands, rejoice!.
Clouds of deep mystery  surround the LORD,
whose throne stands firm on justice 
 and God's actions which put things right.
The spirit of the LORD rises up, 
transforming and dispelling the surrounding powers and principalities.
Lightning shone in the dark of the world,
and the earth writhed as though in childbirth.
Ageless mountains melted like wax before the LORD,
from the presence of the LORD of all the earth
The heavens proclaimed God's actions which put things right,
and all the people saw the glory of the LORD.

CONFESSION  (Psalm 97:8-12)
Those who went after other gods were put to shame �
even the gods bowed down.
Rejoicing and acclamation rise up
because of your judgements, O LORD.
For you, O LORD, are the Most High, over all the earth;
you are greatly exalted over the gods.
For the times we follow other gods, to our own shame
Lord have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
You who love the LORD, despise evil,
for the LORD protects the lives of the faithful,
 and will rescue them from the hand of the wicked.
For the times turn from the protection of your hand
Christ have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Light shines out for those who live justly;
 it rejoices for the honest heart.
Rejoice, in the LORD, you whose lives express God's justice, 
 and give thanks to the holy name of your God.
For the times when our living does not express your justice
Lord have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Comfort us, heal us, and re-create us, O God,
so that in wholeness 
we may live to your glory,
and the greatness of your holy name.
Amen.

Looking for contemporary music and song resources? Try David MacGregor's Together to Celebrate
Or metrical psalms? Try Dale A. Schoening's Sing the Psalms

	HYMN SEARCH FOR CHRISTMAS DAY - YEARS A,B,C
	Brightest & best of the stars of the morning		TIS 310		AHB 234
	Child in the manger		TIS 319		AHB 241
	Christians awake, salute the happy morn		TIS 306		AHB 231
	Good Christians all, rejoice		TIS 313		AHB 238
	Hark the glad sound ! the Saviour comes		TIS 269		AHB 197
	Hark the herald angels sing		TIS 303		AHB 227
	Infant holy, infant lowly		TIS 292		AHB 225
	Joy to the world! The Lord is come		TIS 268		AHB 224
	Let earth & heaven combine		TIS 305		AHB 229
	Love came down at Christmas		TIS 317		AHB 243
	O come all ye faithful		TIS 304		AHB 228
	O little town of Bethlehem		TIS 316		AHB 240
	O sing a new song to the Lord		TIS 56		AHB 196
	Once in royal David's city		TIS 312		AHB 237
	The first nowell the angel did say		TIS 301		AHB 221
	The north wind is tossing the leaves		TIS 322		AHB 246
	The people that in darkness walked		TIS 274		AHB 202
	The Virgin Mary had a baby boy		TIS 307		AHB 232
	To us a child of royal birth		TIS 308		AHB 230
	Unto us a boy is born		TIS 293		AHB 218
	While shepherds watched their flocks		TIS 299		AHB 223
	ISAIAH 62
	Father, whose everlasting love		TIS 213		AHB 142
	The advent of our God		TIS 271		AHB 198
	There's a light upon the mountains		TIS 276		AHB 207
	Wake, awake! for night is flying		TIS 266		AHB 195
	ISAIAH 52
	Never in all human story		TIS 320
	Wake, awake! for night is flying		TIS 266		AHB 195
	PSALM 97
	The Lord is King, lift up thy voice,				AHB 64
	The Lord is king, let earth rejoice		TIS 55
	With glorious clouds encompassed round				AHB 155
	PSALM 98
	All the ends of the earth have seen		TIS 57		SA 3
	Joy to the world, the Lord is come		TIS 268		AHB 224
	Let all the world in every corner sing		TIS 105		AHB 13
	O sing a new song to the Lord		TIS 56
	Sing a new song to the Lord		TIS 57		SA 3
	Sing a new song, sing a new song		TIS 166		AHB 102
	Sing of the Lord's goodness		TIS 183
	TITUS 3
	Come, O Spirit, from on high				AHB 326
	Pour out thy Spirit from on high		TIS 451		AHB 378
	HEBREWS 1
	God has spoken by his prophets		TIS 158		AHB 92
	Now to the Lord a noble song!		TIS 113		AHB 33
	O Lord of every shining constellation		TIS 157		AHB 103
	Praise and thanksgiving Father we offer		TIS 627		AHB 569
	Praise our God, the great creator		TIS 165		AHB 110
	Praise to the living God		TIS 102		AHB 7
	Rejoice, the Lord is King		TIS 216		AHB 147
	Spirit, divine, attend our prayers		TIS 406		AHB 377
	Thanks to God whose word was spoken		TIS 431		AHB 339
	To us a child of royal birth		TIS 308		AHB 230
	LUKE 2
	Angels from the realms of glory		TIS 309		AHB 235
	Christ is the world's light		TIS 246		AHB 191
	Christians, awake, salute the happy morn		TIS 306		AHB 231
	Coldly the night winds winging		TIS 321		AHB 245
	Funny kind of night, funny kind of day		TIS 329
	Glory to God, glory to God, praise and alleluia!		TIS 171
	Glory to our boundless God		TIS 189
	Glory, glory, glory, -- glory be to God on high		TIS 775
	God is love, let heaven adore him		TIS 153		AHB 93
	Good Christians all, rejoice		TIS 313		AHB 238
	Hark the herald angels sing		TIS 303		AHB 227
	Hark! the herald angels sing		TIS 303		AHB 227
	Infant holy, infant lowly		TIS 92		AHB 225
	Jesus has come and brings joy as our Saviour		TIS 208
	Let all together praise our God		TIS 298
	Never in all human story		TIS 320
	O come, all ye faithful		TIS 304		AHB 228
	O Laughing Light, O first-born of creation		TIS 256
	On Christmas night all Christians sing		TIS 300
	Saviour of nations, come		TIS 295
	Silent night, holy night		TIS 311		AHB 236
	Songs of praise the angels sang;				AHB 62
	The first nowell the angel did say		TIS 301		AHB 221
	The Virgin Mary had a baby boy		TIS 307		AHB 232
	To us a child of royal birth		TIS 308		AHB 230
	While shepherds watched their flocks		TIS 299		AHB 223
	JOHN 1
	Angels from the realms of glory		TIS 309		AHB 235
	Christ is the world's light		TIS 246		AHB 191
	Come let us with our Lord arise		TIS 375		AHB 297
	Come you people, come adore him		TIS 101		AHB 5
	Father of heaven, whose love profound		TIS 131		AHB 60
	God has spoken by his prophets		TIS 158		AHB 92
	Good Christians all, rejoice		TIS 313		AHB 238
	Hark the herald angels sing		TIS 303		AHB 227
	I greet you, my Redeemer sure		TIS 198		AHB 128
	Lord Jesus, our bright Morning Star		TIS 199		AHB 220
	Lord, your almighty word		TIS 447		AHB 61
	My heart & voice I raise		TIS 225		AHB 160
	Now to the Lord a noble song!		TIS 113		AHB 33
	O what a gift, what a wonderful gift		TIS 278		AHB 213
	Of the Father's love begotten		TIS 290		AHB 215
	Praise our God, the great creator		TIS 165		AHB 110
	Sing a new song, sing a new song		TIS 166		AHB 102
	Thanks to God whose word was spoken		TIS 431		AHB 339
	Your words to me are life and health		TIS 430		AHB 337