PRESENTATION OUTLINE
The windows of Christmas Week 1
Introduction of Advent
Series
Major Leti Crowell
Call to Worship
Glory to the Newborn King
Linda Clay
Song
Light of the World
Major Geffory P. Crowell
Leader:
The first angel we encounter in the Christmas story is Gabriel who visits planet earth to inform the principal players, and, ultimately, the world that the “fulness of time” has come—that long-awaited moment in history when the promised Messiah will arrive. This comes in a series of announcements, the first being the coming of the forerunner of the Messiah, John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-22).
All:
Gabriel’s announcement came true, and John the Baptist arrived to “prepare the way of the Lord”—step one in the process of bringing Christ into the world.
Men:
Six months later, Gabriel came to the village of Nazareth to give a message from God to a young woman named Mary (Luke 1:26-38).
Leader:
Gabriel informed Mary that she had been selected for the role that had long been the desire of Jewish women—the privilege of giving birth to the promised Messiah. Her response was one of simple availability:
Women:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38).
Leader:
Following his visit to Mary, Gabriel also visited her husband-to-be, Joseph, and gave him the same message—Mary’s child was of God, not man (Matthew 1:20-25). Joseph could take her to be his wife with full confidence in her purity.
Men:
Nine months later Gabriel returned with yet another message—this time not a message of anticipation, but one of arrival. The angel of the Lord appears in the Judean skies over the shepherds’ fields of Bethlehem.
Leader:
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Women:
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
All:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:10-14 (NIV)
Leader:
We have heard this story so many times that we have become inoculated against its power and majesty. We talk about angelic appearances like they were an everyday occurrence—but they weren’t then, and they aren’t today.
(Windows on Christmas, pp. 19-23)
Message
The Window of Exaltation
Major Geffory P. Crowell
Lord, I will lift mine eyes to the hills
Knowing my help is coming from You
Your peace, You give me in time of the storm
You are the source of my strength
You are the strength of my life
I lift my hands in total praise to you
You are the source of my strength
You are the strength of my life
I lift my hands in total praise to you
Amen
