Psalms for Worship—Psalm 97 for Christmas

Come let us worship Christ, the Savior of the world.

We come as a people of hope. 
As the psalmist says, 

The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice;
    let the many coastlands be glad!
Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
    righteousness and justice 
    are the foundation of his throne.

And so, we have hope. 

[The first candle is lit]

We come as a people worshiping the bringer of peace, 
a peace that arises from righteousness and justice. 

Fire goes before him
    and consumes his adversaries on every side.

His lightnings light up the world;
    the earth sees and trembles.

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
    before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    and all the peoples behold his glory.

All servants of images are put to shame,
    those who make their boast in worthless idols;
    all gods bow down before him.

Our Lord reigns over all, 
and one day the world will only know peace. 

[The second candle is lit.]

We come as a people of joy. 

Zion hears and is glad,
    and the towns of Judah rejoice
    because of your judgments, O God.

For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
    you are exalted far above all gods.

Our hearts rejoice for the child who has come
is the Lord over all. 

[The third candle is lit.]

We come as a people of love. 

You who love the Lord, hate evil;
    he guards the lives of his faithful;
    he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

Light dawns for the righteous
    and joy for the upright in heart.

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
    and give thanks to his holy name!
—Psalm 97 ^NRSVUE

We rejoice for Love has come to us, 
and dwells in us. 

[The fourth candle is lit.]

We come to worship Christ, our Lord 
of whom an angel spoke saying, 

“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. 
—Luke 2:10–11 ^NRSVUE

[Christ candle is lit.] 

The journey to Bethlehem is over; 
Christ has come. 
O Come, let us adore him!