Solemnity of the Nativity 

December 24th, 2025

10:30pm 

BISHOP: The Rt Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer

Celebrant: The Rev. Dr. Julianne Buenting

MUSIC DIRECTOR and ORGANIST: Stephen Kennedy

ORGANISTS: David Higgs, Jimmy Jeffery, and Dominic Fiacco

We seek to serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves.
We strive for justice and peace among all people,
respecting the dignity of every human being.

Welcome

We seek to mirror the love of God and the hospitality of Jesus in our worship and our service to others. We are a community welcoming all races, ethnicities, faiths, genders, orientations, and abilities. Our worship is open to all, and every person is invited to receive communion.

Our church nursery and children’s activities for church will begin on September 10, 2023. However, children and babies – noisy and quiet! – are always welcome in the pews.

Are you new to Christ Church and our liturgy?

Hymns are in the blue book in the pew in front of you. Hymn #1 starts about 200 pages in, not on page 1.

Let’s Get Connected!

If you’re interested in joining us on a regular basis or would like more information (or both!) fill out a card on the back of the pew in front of you. You can drop it in the collection plate or give it to an usher. Or you can drop us a note at our Contact page on our Newsmagazine THE SONG songforchristchurch.org/contact

Tomorrow (Christmas Day) 10:00am Holy Eucharist, said without music Next Sunday (New Year’s Eve) 10:00am Holy Eucharist, said without music

Holy Eucharist, said – Sunday, 8:00 am
Holy Eucharist, sung (with music) - Sunday 11:00 am

PRELUDE:  10:15 P.M.

PRELUDE AND CANDLELIGHTING

Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her, P. 478         Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)

Adam lay y-bounden (Homage to Peter Warlock)            Stephen Kennedy (b. 1962)

Adam lay ybounden
Bounden in a bond;
Foure thousand winter
Thought he not too long

And all was for an apple
An apple that he tok
As clerkes finden
Wreten in here book

Never had the apple
The apple taken ben
Ne hadde never our lady
A ben Hevene Quen

Blessed be the time
The apple taken was
Therefore we moun singen
Deo gratias

In dulci jubilo, BuxWV 197   Dieterich Buxtehude 1637-1707)

There is no rose of such virtue         Stephen Kennedy

There is no rose of such virtue

As is the rose that bare Jesu; Alleluia.

For in this rose contained was

Heaven and earth in little space; Res miranda (a marvelous thing).

By that rose we may well see

That He is God in persons three, Pari forma (equal in form).

Now leave we all this worldly mirth

And follow we this joyful birth; Transeamus (we travel on).

Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her BWV 701  Johan Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Resonet in laudibus   Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)

Translation:

Let praises resound
with joyous acclaim:
To Sion’s faithful
the child born of Mary has appeared.

Christ, born today
of the Virgin Mary
without the seed of man:
the child born…

Let us sing together to the Child,
Let us sing to the newborn king,
And with pious tones, say:
the child born…

What Gabriel foretold has been fulfilled.
Eia, A Virgin bore God,
As the divine mercy willed.

Today He has appeared in Israel:
From the Virgin Mary is born a King.

Great is the name of the Lord Immanuel,
As was announced by Gabriel.

Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her BWV 700  Johan Sebastian Bach

THE ENTRANCE RITE 

At the ringing of the bell, all who are able, stand.

HYMN 83 O come, all ye faithful 

        (stanzas 1-3)

BLESSING AT THE CRÉCHE

O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament,

that animals should see the new-born Lord, lying in a manger!

Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear Christ the Lord.

Alleluia!

Presider: The Word was made flesh

People: And dwelt among us.

Presider: Let us pray.

Almighty God, who in the Incarnation of your Son has

revealed to us the holiness of creation, be pleased to bless and hallow this image of his sacred birth, so that those who

gaze upon it may behold this mystery, whereby humanity shares in your very nature; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

HYMN 83 O come, all ye faithful

stanzas 4-6

THE WORD OF THE LORD

ACCLAMATION

Presider Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

People And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect for Purity

Presider Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE

HYMN 87 HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING Mendelssohn

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

THE LESSONS

The people sit. After each Reading, the Reader says:

The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Isaiah 62:6-12

Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,
    I have posted sentinels;
all day and all night
    they shall never be silent.
You who remind the Lord,
    take no rest,
and give him no rest
    until he establishes Jerusalem
    and makes it renowned throughout the earth.
The Lord has sworn by his right hand
    and by his mighty arm:
I will not again give your grain
    to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners shall not drink the wine
    for which you have labored,
but those who harvest it shall eat it
    and praise the Lord,
and those who gather it shall drink it
    in my holy courts.

Go through, go through the gates;
    prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
    clear it of stones;
    lift up an ensign over the peoples.
The Lord has proclaimed
    to the end of the earth:
Say to daughter Zion,
    “Look, your savior comes;
his reward is with him
    and his recompense before him.”
They shall be called, “The Holy People,
    The Redeemed of the Lord,”
and you shall be called, “Sought Out,
    A City Not Forsaken.”

SEQUENCE HYMN 92  On this day earth shall ring

Epistle:

Titus 3:4-7

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

ALLELUIA VERSE- GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 

HYMN 91 Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light

Gospeler:

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

THE GOSPEL

Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Gospeler: The Gospel of the Lord

People:  Praise to you, Lord Christ.

SERMON The Rev’d Dr. Julianne Buenting

THE NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, 

the Father, the Almighty, 

maker of heaven and earth, 

of all that is, seen and unseen. 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, 

the only Son of God, 

eternally begotten of the Father, 

God from God, Light from Light, 

true God from true God, 

begotten, not made, 

of one Being with the Father. 

Through him all things were made. 

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: 

by the power of the Holy Spirit 

he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. 

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; 

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again  

in accordance with the Scriptures; 

he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, 

and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. 

With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. 

He has spoken through the Prophets. 

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. 

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. 

We look for the resurrection of the dead, 

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

God of tender and vulnerable love, you gave us your Son at Christmas, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Redeemer of all, lying in a manger. Draw us deeply into the abyss of your love. As we join our voices with the heavenly host, we pray for the church and the whole world, saying, Lord, in your merciful love,

hear our prayer.

We pray for the Church and all those entrusted with its leadership and service, remembering especially Sean, our Presiding Bishop, and Kara, our bishop. Lord, in your merciful love, hear our prayer.

Imbue the leaders of all nations with your wisdom and compassion, that, by honoring the dignity of all

peoples and cultures, and by respecting and caring for creation, we may live together in peace.

Lord, in your merciful love, hear our prayer.

We pray for those afflicted by war, conflict, and violence, that our yearly remembrance of the coming of the Redeemer may renew us in reconciliation, healing, and non-violence.

Lord, in your merciful love, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are cold, hungry, unsheltered, or lonely today. Guide us to embrace and care for all in need as we would Joseph, Mary, and Jesus themselves. Lord, in your merciful love, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for all who are suffering in body, mind, or spirit; the sick, oppressed, and grieving, that they may be comforted and embraced with care, remembering especially those on our parish prayer list.

Lord, in your merciful love, hear our prayer.

We pray for the flourishing of the blessings of Christmas in our lives. Open our hearts to your presence,

O Christ, that we may be transformed by the grace of your Incarnation.

Lord, in your merciful love, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who have died in faith, and those whose faith is known to you alone. In your compassion, receive them into the joyous embrace of your abiding presence.

Lord, in your merciful love, hear our prayer.

Collect at the prayers, prayed by the presider:

Give us a place among those who have rejoiced in this holy season, that we may find the one for whom we have waited, Christ Jesus, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendor of eternal light, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Presider Let us pray together for Christ Church’s search process for the next Rector.

All  Loving God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on this parish and

guide those who shall discern and choose its next rector, that we may receive

a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries;

through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

THE PEACE

Presider  The peace of Christ be always with you.

People And also with you.

People greet one another in the name of the Lord.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

+An opportunity to make an offering+

THE HOLY COMMUNION

If you are sensitive to wheat products, please tell an usher so that you may receive a gluten-free host. We have returned to receiving communion in both kinds (bread and wine). Please see the note about this on the back page.

THE HOLY COMMUNION

If you are sensitive to wheat products, please tell an usher so that you may receive a gluten-free host.

OFFERTORY MUSIC 

Resonet in laudibus  Michael Praetorious (1571-1621)

Translation: 

To Sion’s faithful the child born of Mary has appeared.

Christ, born today of the Virgin Mary without the seed of man:

the child born…

Let us sing together to the Child, Let us sing to the newborn king [Jesus], And with pious tones, say:

the child born…

O Sion, praise the Lord, The Saviour of mankind, He who cleanses sin:

The child born…

What Gabriel foretold has been fulfilled. Eia, A Virgin bore God, As the divine mercy willed.

Today He has appeared in Israel: From the Virgin Mary is born a King.

Great is the name of the Lord Immanuel, As was announced by Gabriel.

HYMN: 96 Angels we have heard on high

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

Rite II Eucharistic Prayer A, Expansive language

SURSUM CORDA Plainsong

All who are able, stand.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God,

Creator of heaven and earth. Because you gave Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be born for us: who, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin and receive power to become your children. 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             

The people may stand or kneel as they are able.

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 Christ, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In Christ, 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 Savior 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 Jesus 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 his command, O Father,

We remember Christ’s death,

We proclaim Christ’s resurrection,

We await Christ’s coming in glory;

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Savior 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 in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, through whom we are acceptable to you, 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 Mary, the mother of God, and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your children, through Jesus Christ our Savior, the first born of all creation, the head of the church, and the author of our salvation. By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours almighty God now and forever. AMEN.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

A period of silence is kept.

FRACTION ANTHEM  Agnus Dei

Presider: The gifts of God for the People of God.

COMMUNION MUSIC  In Dulci Jubilo Marcel Dupré (1880-1971) James Jeffery, organist

COMMUNION MUSIC

"Zwei Gesänge, Op. 91 II. Geistliches Wiegenlied" (Holy Lullaby) Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Andrea McGaugh, mezzo-soprano
Noah Fields, viola
David Higgs, organ

Translation:
You who hover
Around these palms
In night and wind,
You holy angels,
Silence the tree-tops!
My child is sleeping.

You palms of Bethlehem
In the raging wind,
Why do you bluster
So angrily today!
O roar not so!
Be still, lean
Calmly and gently over us;
Silence the tree-tops!
My child is sleeping.

The heavenly babe
Suffers distress,
Oh, how weary He has grown
With the sorrows of this world.
Ah, now that in sleep
His pains
Are gently eased,
Silence the treetops!
My child is sleeping.

Fierce cold
Blows down on us,
With what shall I cover
My little child’s limbs?
O all you angels,
Who wing your way
On the winds,
Silence the tree-tops!
My child is sleeping.

HYMN 111 Silent Night

(The people kneel as Lights in the church are dimmed)

Celebrant: Let us pray.

Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Celebrant blesses the congregation.

The Blessing and Dismissal

May Christ, who, by his Incarnation, gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Presider Go in peace to love and serve Christ, our Emmanuel. Alleluia, alleluia.

People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Voluntary  Il est Né, le Divin Enfant  James Jeffery (b. 2004)

TONIGHT’S MUSICIANS

MEMBERS OF THE CHRIST CHURCH CHOIR

MEZZO-SOPRANO SOLOIST: Andrea McGaugh

VIOLIST: Noah Fields

ORGANISTS: Jimmy Jeffery, Assistant Organist

Dominic Fiacco, VanDelinder fellow

David Higgs, Associate Organist

Stephen Kennedy, Director of Music

Organists 

+++

Church Leadership

Wardens- Valerie Jutsum     Jim Kurmis

Vestry- Jeremy Cooney, John D’Amanda, John Fields, Norma Hopcraft, Kristy Liddell, Nancy Norwood, Shirley Ricker, Craig Smith, Deb VanderBilt

www.christchurchrochester.org

+++

www.songforchristchurch.org

www.facebook.com/ChristChurchRochester     www.facebook.com/ccscholacantorum

www.amealandmore.org

Want to sing in the Christ Church Choir? Please contact Stephen Kennedy.
We want you to join our team of Compline candlelighters and ushers? Please consider joining this wonderful group this coming Fall. Contact Stephen Kennedy.
If you have experience in grant writing, please contact Stephen Kennedy

www.christchurchrochester.org

www.songforchristchurch.org www.facebook.com/ChristChurchRochester www.facebook.com/ccscholacantorum

www.amealandmore.org Newsletter: songforchristchurch.org

___

RECEIVING COMMUNION IN BOTH KINDS

As dioceses ease restrictions on the common cup, there are new stipulations about how to receive the wine. In our diocese, we are discouraged from intincting (dipping the wafer into the wine) based on the idea that hands going into the cup carry far more germs than when we sip from the cup.

Following diocesan protocol, if you would like to receive the wine, you are invited to sip from the cup.

If you are not comfortable with this protocol, you may also choose to fold your arms prayerfully when the cup comes to you as the assurance of Christ’s salvation is spoken to you.___

Remember to “like” and “subscribe” to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbkbAzGxOtsMI1dhb_3dGvg/videos

visit the website, http://www.christchurchrochester.org and

The Song, https://songforchristchurch.org often, for any updates and to access free recordings.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS and SERVICES

CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK 

UPCOMING PROGRAMS and SERVICES

JANUARY 10, 2026

7:00 TWELFTH NIGHT with wassailing reception and burning of the yule log

JANUARY 4, 2026

Bishop Kara Wagner Sherer come to Christ Church

8:30 pm. CANDLELIGHT CONCERT:

9:00 pm. Compline by the Schola Cantorum with a reception in the Guild Room following

-

LET’S BUILD TOGETHER EVERY SUNDAY

Christ Church is starting a building club for LEGO® fans of all ages! The building event is EVERY SUNDAY*, after the 11 am service. The group will gather weekly in the sacristy between 1:00 and 3:00. Dave Jutsum will supply the LEGO® bricks and pieces.

* The club will not meet on Christmas Eve/4th Sunday of Advent -December 24th

 LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this club.

MUSIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Children’s Choir wants kids! 20-minute rehearsals follow the 11:00 am Eucharist on Sundays. Please feel free to contact Stephen Kennedy, Andrew Johnson, or Lydia Andraso if you have a child interested in participating or if you have any questions about our program. There is also a CHILDREN’S CHOIR sign-up sheet on the parish website under the MUSIC tab: https://www.christchurchrochester.org/contact-1

CHURCH SCHOOL

Available every Sunday for the 11:00 service. Children of any age are welcome! Teachers are on site from 10:45 a.m., and will bring your children down to the sanctuary after the Prayers of the People so that they can join in for communion. Church School focuses on arts & crafts related to the themes of the week’s readings. You can visit the room on the 2nd floor—if you are unfamiliar with the building, please ask an usher, who will be glad to show you the room. Note: Christ Church follows Safe Church practices—at least 2 teachers are always in the room with the children.

MEAL AND MORE

Thank you to all that helped support our Meal and More program with your monetary or food item donations.  This support is so appreciated . Meal and More staff, volunteers and guests thank you and wish you a joyous holiday season.

Interested in being a coffee time host? 

Please talk to one of the hosts on Sunday after the 11 am service for details.  We are looking for coverage one Sunday a month.

Our Youth Choir needs kids! Speak with Andrew Johnson, or Stephen Kennedy after the 11:00am Eucharist.

You know that you want to sing in the Christ Church Choir, so contact Stephen Kennedy.

Compline won't happen without you! We need candlelighters and ushers for our Compline season. Contact Pru Kirkpatrick or Stephen Kennedy.

• If you have experience in grant writing, please contact Stephen Kennedy

Contact Stephen Kennedy stephenk@rochester.rr.com if you want to participate in our music program.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION

Christ Church would like to make sure our parishioner records are up to date! Please remember to update the office with your contact information if you have recently changed address or phone number.
Email: office@christchurchrochester.org 

Phone: 585-454-3878