EDINBURGH NORTHWEST KIRK
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
SERVICE OF LESSONS & CAROLS
SUNDAY, 21 DECEMBER 2025
10 am
Congregational Team : The Kirk Choir
Organist : Simon Bertram
CALL TO WORSHIP
HYMN 315 Once in royal David’s city (v 1 : solo, v 2 : choir, v 3 & 4 : all)
WELCOME, INTRODUCTION & INTIMATIONS
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December’s dark night,
while angels sing blessings from heaven’s dark sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.
A candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease.
For Jesus is coming to show us the way,
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
A candle is burning, a candle of joy,
a candle to welcome brave Mary’s new boy,
our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow,
as joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.
A candle is burning, a candle of love,
A candle to point us to heaven above,
A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth,
For Jesus is bringing God’s love to our Earth.
PRAYER OF ADORATION & CONFESSION
THE LORD’S PRAYER
1st READING Genesis 3 : 8–15 & 17-19 Simon Bertram
The Garden of Eden
CHOIR CAROL Adam lay y bounden
2nd READING Genesis 22 : 15 – 18 Lindsay MacLaren
God promises to Abraham that in his seed the nations of the earth will be blessed
CHOIR CAROL Jesus Christ the apple tree
3rd READING Isaiah 9 : 2 & 6 - 7 Diana Brebner
Isaiah foretells Christ’s birth
HYMN 281 People, look east
4th READING Isaiah 11 : 1–3a, 4a & 6-9 Michael Dick
The peace which Christ will bring is foreshown
CHOIR CAROL In the stillness of the night
5th READING Luke 1 : 26 – 35 & 38 Emily Malone
The Angel Gabriel salutes Mary
HYMN 285 The Angel Gabriel from heaven came
6th LESSON Luke 2 : 1 & 3 – 7 Fraser Hume
St Luke tells of the birth of Jesus
CHOIR CAROL Lully, lulla
7th LESSON Luke 2 : 8 – 16 Kathleen Davie
The shepherds go to the manger
CHOIR CAROL O men from the fields
HYMN
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around.
‘Fear not’, said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind;
‘Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.
‘To you, in David's town this day
Is born of David's line
A Saviour who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign:
‘The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands
And in a manger laid.’
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song:
‘All glory be to God on high,
And on the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease.’
8th LESSON Matthew 2 : 1 – 12 Chris Cotter
The wise men are led by the star
CHOIR CAROL O magnum mysterium
9th LESSON John 1 : 1 – 14 Adam Cumming
St John unfolds the great mystery
HYMN 301 Hark! the herald angels sing (please stand)
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done;
Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen.
PRAYERS FOR OTHERS – THE WORLD & ITS PEOPLE
HYMN 306 O come, all ye faithful (v 1 – 3 only)
BENEDICTION
THE GRACE
All : The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the Love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all evermore. Amen
Cramond Kirk is part of Edinburgh Northwest Kirk
www.edinburghnorthwestkirk.org.uk Charity No : SC006457
CCL Licence No : 833142 MRL Licence No : 833166
Facebook : @cramondkirk2