WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD (Psalm 97:1-7)
 Let the earth shout with joy at the sovereignty of the LORD:
sun-drenched beaches, reefs and distant islands, rejoice!.
Clouds of deep mystery  surround the LORD,
whose throne stands firm on justice 
 and God?s actions which put things right.
The spirit of the LORD rises up, 
transforming and dispelling the surrounding powers and principalities.
Lightning shone in the dark of the world,
and the earth writhed as though in childbirth.
Ageless mountains melted like wax before the LORD,
from the presence of the LORD of all the earth
The heavens proclaimed God?s actions which put things right,
and all the people saw the glory of the LORD.

CONFESSION  (Psalm 97:8-12)
Those who went after other gods were put to shame
even the gods bowed down.
Rejoicing and acclamation rise up
because of your judgements, O LORD.
For you, O LORD, are the Most High, over all the earth;
you are greatly exalted over the gods.
For the times we follow other gods, to our own shame
Lord have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
You who love the LORD, despise evil,
for the LORD protects the lives of the faithful,
 and will rescue them from the hand of the wicked.
For the times turn from the protection of your hand
Christ have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Light shines out for those who live justly;
 it rejoices for the honest heart.
Rejoice, in the LORD, you whose lives express God?s justice, 
 and give thanks to the holy name of your God.
For the times when our living does not express your justice
Lord have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Comfort us, heal us, and re-create us, O God,
so that in wholeness 
we may live to your glory,
and the greatness of your holy name. 
Amen.

Looking for contemporary music and song resources? Try David MacGregor's Together to Celebrate
Or metrical psalms? Try Dale A. Schoening's Sing the Psalms

	HYMNS FOR CHRISTMAS DAY - YEARS A,B,C
	Christians awake, salute the happy morn		TIS 306		AHB 231
	Joy to the world! The Lord is come		TIS 268		AHB 224
	O sing a new song to the Lord		TIS 56		AHB 196
	The north wind is tossing the leaves		TIS 322		AHB 246
	ISAIAH 62
	Father, whose everlasting love		TIS 213		AHB 142
	The advent of our God		TIS 271		AHB 198
	There's a light upon the mountains		TIS 276		AHB 207
	ISAIAH 52
	Never in all human story		TIS 320
	PSALM 97
	The Lord is King, lift up thy voice,				AHB 64
	The Lord is king, let earth rejoice		TIS 55
	PSALM 98
	All the ends of the earth have seen		TIS 57		SA 3
	Let all the world in every corner sing		TIS 105		AHB 13
	Sing of the Lord's goodness		TIS 183
	TITUS 3
	Come, O Spirit, from on high				AHB 326
	My gracious Lord, I own thy right				AHB 483
	Pour out thy Spirit from on high		TIS 451		AHB 378
	HEBREWS 1
	Now to the Lord a noble song!		TIS 113		AHB 33
	O Lord of every shining constellation		TIS 157		AHB 103
	To us a child of royal birth		TIS 308		AHB 230
	LUKE 2
	Christ is the world's light		TIS 246		AHB 191
	Funny kind of night, funny kind of day		TIS 329
	Glory to our boundless God		TIS 189
	Glory, glory, glory, -- glory be to God on high		TIS 775
	Good Christians all, rejoice		TIS 313		AHB 238
	Jesus has come and brings joy as our Saviour		TIS 208
	O Laughing Light, O first-born of creation		TIS 256
	Saviour of nations, come		TIS 295
	To us a child of royal birth		TIS 308		AHB 230
	JOHN 1
	Christ is the world's light		TIS 246		AHB 191
	Come you people, come adore him		TIS 101		AHB 5
	O what a gift, what a wonderful gift		TIS 278		AHB 213
	Sing a new song, sing a new song		TIS 166		AHB 102