Here is a carols Service Charles Vesley and I put together for an outdoor service and which we may well use on Christmas Eve as well. I was not totally happy with the spacing of the carols in the early part as there was too much dialogue and not much singing. Feel free to use it as you wish. We hope it is helpful.
Janice Freeston
Windsor Uniting Church
Sydney Australia freeston@ZETA.ORG.AU
Subject: Christmas Story
1. Joy to the World
The Story of the birth of Jesus
A long, long time ago there was an emperor, whose name was Caesar Augustus. Now he was in charge of vast empire, and running an empire as vast as his took a lot of effort and money. So Augustus decided that after twenty-three years of rule he need a more efficient way of financing the running of the empire. So Augustus decided that he would have every last person counted and registered, that way he could tax them. He sent orders to this effect through out the empire. The order reached Quirinius who was the governor of the Province of Syria. It was decided that the easiest way to carry out Augustus' decree was to have everyone return to the town or village where their family came from. So then from then on there was this huge movement of people travelling back to their hometowns to register.
N] Someone travelling to register
"I just don't believe this. The Romans make our lives so miserable! Order us around, make fun of our beliefs, and now this! Who ever heard of anything so stupid. I can't believe it. My family and I have to travel three long days to the town my grandfather was born in just to be counted. I can't just do it on behalf of my family either, I have to drag all the kids here as well. To rub salt into the would, we have to do this so that Augustus can know exactly how many people he rules over and can make pay taxes. He's got a nerve. It will be good to see the relatives though!
Now amongst those returning to their home towns were a young couple. They were travelling from the town of Nazareth in an area known as Galilee, to Bethlehem in the area of Judah. Bethlehem was a small town, but Bethlehem had a special status. It was Bethlehem which was the home town of David that great King of Israel. From the humble beginning of shepherd, David from Bethlehem rose to head up a great royal dynasty. He was legendary , and his name was still spoken of hundreds of years later. But, the reality at this time was, that the Davidic Dynasty was gone, and the Romans, (that's Augustus' mob) now really ran the place. So all these descendants of King David were returning to be counted like sheep.
This young couple from Nazareth were engaged to be married. The young fellow, looked like a man who knew hard yakka. Strong arms, legs, and rough hands . If you were to ask him what he did for a crust? He would simply say: "Carpenter" For he was a man of few words, but honest as the day was long and one who lived by faith in God. He had in his short young life seen much of God at work. Even though he did not understand many of the things which he had witnessed in the last months, he knew that God was at work in the life if his fiancée and him. His name was Joseph.
N] Joseph's Reflection on Mary's condition
I'm embarrassed to say they I was ready to dump Mary. What a disgrace, falling pregnant before we were married. I was going to dismiss her quietly. When she told me she was having a baby I was really angry, really disappointed, really confused. I thought I knew her, I thought I could trust her. But before I could dismiss her, an angel appeared to me, talk about humbling. She was telling the truth and I hadn't believed her. Now I felt really bad. Just when she needed my support, I had been really selfish, thinking only about my reputation, how this affected me. I doubted her but we worked through it all. She is an amazing person my Mary.
The couple were making slow progress, as the girl was far in her pregnancy and making such a trip was not the best thing a girl could do in the circumstances. Joseph had made a special saddle to fit on his donkey for her, in an effort to make her as comfortable as possible. He had packed extra water to drink and cool her down. He now he lead the donkey with the girl on it along the road to Bethlehem from Nazareth, a distance of some one hundred miles. The girl was hot and sore from the long journey, yet there was a certain glow about her. She was Mary, she too like Joseph did not fully understand what God was doing in her life. She had faith and she knew whatever it was, it was going to be something special.
N] Mary's discomfort and reflection
Great timing for making this long trip! There are some things I will never quite understand. It has been nice spending all this time with Joseph though. He is very kind and concerned. He can tell I'm really tired and uncomfortable but at least I get to ride on the donkey, he has had to walk all the way. The trip has also given me lots of time to think about what is happening to me, inside of me. What a privilege to bear the Son of God. I have to keep pinching myself to believe that God would choose me, a poor, very young and even a little naïve, woman for this great responsibility. I'm very weary but very content.
So Mary and Joseph traveled, over the dusty roads, over the hills and in the southward direction from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The last miles were the most difficult, and it was becoming obvious that the baby would soon come. They both prayed silently that it would not be there on the dusty road. Finally they saw the town of Bethlehem in the distance. With new strength they kept up the pace to get there before nightfall.
The sun was low in the west when Mary and Joseph finally walked into the town square. The place was a buzz with people looking for somewhere sleep. Joseph went knocking on the doors of the town's few inns, but everywhere he went was full. There was not a spare bed in Bethlehem. Joseph returned to Mary where she was sitting at the village pump resting from long, hot and painful journey. The look on Joseph's face gave away his disappointment. He sat next to Mary and gave her a hug. They both knew that it would be but a few hours.
They prayed to God for help
N] Mary and Joseph's prayer
Lord God, hear us and have mercy on us your lowly servants. You have brought us this far and we now ask You for a place to bear Your Son.
This old bloke was walking through the square, he saw the couple and knew that it would be soon be dark. The old bloke felt sorry for them.
N] Old Bloke's thought's
Look at those two. Caught out with nowhere to stay. Only kids too. Bet they have come a long way. Just about on their last legs and with a baby due any minute by the looks of it.
The old bloke hobbled up to the couple and said:
"Look here, you pair, look like you need a break. Go down the second street and when you come to the inn, knock on the door. It is run by a cousin of mine, his name is Left Handed Caleb. He has a place out the back where he keeps his animals. It's not the Jerusalem Hilton, but it is warm and dry. Tell him I sent you and he'll look after you."
2. Once In Royal David's City
With that he went on his way. Mary and Joseph went to the second street as the old bloke had said and introduced themselves to Left Handed Caleb, and soon they were in a cave like room behind the inn. It was dry and Warm with plenty of straw just as the old bloke had said. It was not long before Mary went into full on labour, and gave birth to a son. She wrapped him in a special blanket which she had made herself and laid him in a manger which Left Handed Caleb had stored there. Both her and Joseph marveled at the day's events.
3. Silent Night
N] Mary and Joseph's reflections
Mary: I'm so tired, but I couldn't possibly sleep. He is so beautiful, ordinary little baby but so special. Is this what God looks like? He is so tiny and vulnerable - I'm just so lost for words...God has trusted me with the care of His Son.
Joseph: Poor Mary. I'm so frustrated that I couldn't provide for her any better. She deserves much more than this, God's Son deserves better than this. No place in the inn..I am very proud though. Mary is so terrific, and this little bundle...? I don't know whether I can do them both justice but I'm sure going to try. It won't be easy, but we will manage somehow.
4. Away In a Manger
5. The First Noel
Not far from there, in the hills above Bethlehem, were some guys who looked after sheep. They were camping out with the sheep. Now they were not just the ordinary sheep that would appear for dinner from time to time. No way! These sheep were the special, the blue ribbon kind. You know the sort, that win the prizes at the royal show. That is why the guys were looking after them day and night. These sheep were destined for the religious sacrifices in the temple in Jerusalem. It had been a quiet night and the watch was easy. When suddenly...this huge bright light appeared and in the middle of it stood this person. Now the guys were tough. They would hold their own in any punch up. They would not be backward in coming forward if some wild animal came within close of their sheep. These guys did not frighten easily. But now they were terrified, as this person in the light stood among them. It was then that the person spoke:
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. This news is for you and everyone world-wide and for all time. Tonight in David's town a Savior has been born. This Savior is the one whom God has sent for everyone. This is what you will find. A baby wrapped in a blanket lying in a manger"
6. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
The Angel with all the light suddenly was lifted up and joined by many just the same. It was as if the night sky tore open and was filled with light. And their voices rose up in choir song, singing praises to God:
"Glory to God in the highest,
Peace to all people on earth who please God"
7. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
The shepherd guys were amazed and decided to leave the sheep and go and see for themselves what had happened.
N] Shepherd's talk
Did you see that? Their wings were so intricate, I've never seen anything like it. And the light so bright. Who would have thought God would could be bothered with a bunch of shepherds, us of all people - everyone else must be asleep or something. I'll never be the same again. Angels spoke to us, to me. Sang right before my very eyes. It's amazing.
They went and saw that it was just as the angel had said. They were just amazed and left praising God. Mary and Joseph were also amazed:
N] Mary and Joseph's reflection
We didn't advertise we were here - but God sure did. Shepherds spoken to by angles and then coming to greet our son, God's Son, and to congratulate us. Jesus is very special, what an awesome responsibility, what a great joy.
Just as the invitation was given to the guys watching sheep, so the invitation is given to us today. Come and see for yourself the baby laid in a manger. Discover that he is Jesus Christ, God's Son who came into the world to give us meaning, purpose, hope and the way back to God.
8. O Come All Ye Faithful