BUC Christmas Eve Service – December 24, 2025
Balzac United Church
December 24, 2025, 5:00pm
Guest Minister: Dr. Alex Shawn
Music Ministry: Lee Dowan, Dr. Alex Shawn
Prelude O Come, O Come, Emmanuel arr. L. Dengler
Welcome Ruth Unser
Service Link
Cantata Link
Land Acknowledgement
“As we gather together, we acknowledge that we are meeting on the
unceded territories of the nations of Treaty 7. May we live with
respect on this land, and in peace and friendship with its people.”
Lighting the Advent Candles
Tonight, the Light of Christ once again lights up the world. Let us
thank God for His gift of sending His son to show us the way
forward. Welcome to our world, O Christ, and let us worship
together tonight through the words and music that will be presented
here with our families, new and old friends, and those we have yet to
meet. Amen
Processional Carol O Come, All Ye Faithful VU#60 v.1,3,5
Call to Worship
We seek a Christmas full of love,
Love close to home, a love shared with family and among friends, old and new.
We seek a Christmas full of love,
Love that is faithful, love that embraces us in a faith community.
We seek a Christmas full of love,
Love that reaches out, love that welcomes everyone.
We seek a Christmas full of love,
Love that is compassionate, love that brings healing and hope.
We seek a Christmas full of love,
Love that is practical, love that is shared by those who work over the holidays.
We seek a Christmas full of love,
Love that is personal, love that floods our hearts and enlivens our spirits.
Because we seek a Christmas of love, we gather to worship the One who
came to be God’s love for us.
David Sparks, Rossland, B.C.
Opening Hymn What Child is This VU #74 v.1,2
Opening Prayer
Scripture Isaiah 9:6 – 8
Cantata presented by the Choir “Joy Has Dawned” arr. Lloyd Larson
Listen here
1. How Great Our Joy
a. Joy To the World – Congregation VU #59 v.1,2
2. Mary Had a Baby – Solo: Mary Ross
3. Gloria In Excelsis Deo!
4. Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven – Solo: Michelle Johnston
5. Joy Has Dawned
6. Jesus Christ is Born!
a. Go, Tell It on the Mountain – Congregation VU #43
b. Chorus, Verse 1, Chorus
Narrators: Paul Arnott, Anne Finch
Call to Offering
To the stable, each brought what they could, and each gave what they had:
the animals, warmth; the shepherds, awe; the magi, gifts.
To this world and its people, we offer our gifts: our faith, which
seeks to do as well to believe; our joy, which persists even in times
of struggle and sadness; our love, offered freely, as it was to us.
Offertory How Far is It to Bethlehem arr. M. Hayes
Offertory Prayer
Hymn Silent Night VU # 67
(please stand as we sing, all lights are turned off)
Benediction
Welcome, Holy Child!
Your presence transforms our lives.
Sisters and Brothers, before we go forth from this peaceful place, let us take
a good look around us at one another: see what beauty is revealed among
us in the light of Christ!
Now let us extinguish these small lights and go forth bearing the Light of
Christ in our hearts to let it shine in our world!
Closing Hymn Oh, How Joyfully VU # 57
Postlude Come, Thou Almighty King arr. D. Hustad