On this holy night we come to worship and adore

Pastor: On this holy night we come to worship and adore the One we have been waiting for – Christ the Lord! As we prepare to hear once again the story of that first Christmas, let us come to the light of Christ, confessing the darkness of our hearts in humility and faith.  
God our Father, when the fullness of time had come, You sent Your Son full of grace and truth.
People: Forgive our failure to receive Him. 
Pastor: Your servants Mary and Joseph responded joyfully to Your call to be the earthly parents of Jesus.
People: Forgive the hardness of our hearts and disobedience to Your will. 
Pastor: Your Son, our Savior, was born in poverty and laid in a manger:
People: Forgive our greed and rejection of Your ways. 
Pastor: The angels proclaimed good tidings of great joy. 
People: Forgive our hesitant witness and half-hearted worship. 
Pastor: The shepherds left their flocks to go to Bethlehem.
People: Forgive our self-interest and lack of vision. 
Pastor: The wise men followed the star to find Jesus the King.
People: Forgive our reluctance to seek You. 

Assurance of Pardon
Pastor: The Good News of Christmas is that Christ, the light of the world, has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts. The God of all healing and forgiveness draws you to Himself and cleanses you from all your sins, that you may behold the glory of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen. Glory to God in the highest!