St. Peter's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church
Gulfport, Mississippi

“A Walk to Bethlehem” 
and  Family Christmas Celebration 
December 24, 2021 5:30 PM

Processional Hymn 78 “O little town of Bethlehem” 

A Walk to Bethlehem 

Explanation and invitation to children to come forward 

Christmas Verse (said together) 

“ Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing; 

come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.” 

1st Station – In Nazareth 

The Reading: Luke 1:26-38  

 Christmas Verse (Congregation recites in unison) 

please stand 

Celebrant: Let us pray 

 The prayer for the care of children 

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as  we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus  Christ. Amen. 

 Hymn 96 -Verse 1 “Angels we have heard on high” 

 During the hymn, the children walk to the next station. 

Please be seated 

2nd Station – A Journey 

 The Reading: Luke 2:1-5 

 Christmas Verse (Congregation recites in unison)  

please stand 

Celebrant: Let us pray  

The Prayer for travelers  

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who  travel; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey’s end; through  Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 Hymn 96 -Verse 2 “Angels we have heard on high” 

 During the hymn, the children walk to the next station 

Please be seated 

3rd Station – In Bethlehem  

 The Reading: Luke 2:6-7 

 Christmas verse (Congregation recites in unison) 

please stand 

Celebrant: Let us pray 

 The Prayer for the poor and neglected  

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the  homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our  Lord. Amen. 

Hymn 96 -Verse 3 “Angels we have heard on high” 

 During the hymn, the children walk to the next station 

Please be seated 

4th Station – The Shepherds 

 The Reading: Luke 2:8-14 

 Christmas verse (Congregation recites in unison)  

please stand 

Celebrant: Let us pray 

The Prayer for Peace  

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the  nations of the earth, that in tranquility your dominion may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through  Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.    

Hymn 96 -Verse 4 “Angels we have heard on high” 

 During the hymn, the children gather at the front of the church 

Please be seated 

5th Station – In the Manger 

 The Reading: Luke 2:15-20 

 Christmas verse (Congregation recites in unison) 

please stand 

Celebrant: Let us pray 

 The Prayer for the Human Family  

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work  through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you  in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Peace 

Celebrant: The Peace of the Lord be always with you. 

People: And also with you. 

The Ministers and People greet one another in the name of the Lord. 

Oblations brought forward (all stand) 

The Offertory 

The Great Thanksgiving 

Eucharistic Prayer B Prayer Book 367 

The Lord be with you. 

People And also with you. 

Celebrant Lift up your hearts. 

People We lift them to the Lord. 

Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 

People It is right to give him thanks and praise. 

Celebrant It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and  everywhere to give thanks to you, Father  Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. 

The Celebrant adds an additional prayer (Proper Preface) followed by 

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name: 

Sanctus S125 

Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest. 

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest. 

The Celebrant continues 

We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.  

On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” 

Therefore, according to this command, O Father, 

Celebrant and People 

We remember his death, 

We proclaim his resurrection, 

We await his coming in glory; 

The Celebrant continues 

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. 

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your  Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 

In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us  to that heavenly country where, with all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation. 

By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen. 

Celebrant: 

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, 

The Lord’s Prayer Prayer Book 364 

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 for ever and ever. Amen. 

The Breaking of the Bread 

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; 

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia 

The Communion 

Communion of the People 

Wherever you are on your journey of faith you are welcome at this table. 

Communion Hymn  

 Away in a manger Hymn 101 

 In the bleak midwinter Hymn 112 

 Silent night, Holy night Hymn 111 

Post Communion Prayer 

Celebrant and people 

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ  our Lord. Amen. 

Blessing 

Recessional Hymn: 110 The snow lay on the ground 

Dismissal 

All children gather in the aisle to dismiss the people with these words 

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia 

People Thanks be to God! Alleluia, Alleluia