Family Worship Guide

Scripture Reading #1:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:2–7)

Note: This passage speaks of a people walking in darkness who suddenly see a great light. This is not light they kindle themselves, but light that breaks in from God’s own initiative. The joy that follows is described in covenantal terms—victory, freedom from oppression, abundance—all gifts of divine grace rather than human achievement.
At the center of the promise is a child. The titles given—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—are not poetic exaggerations but declarations of His true identity and mission. He embodies wisdom, divine strength, eternal care, and reconciling peace. In Him, God’s kingdom is established, upheld “with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.”
This passage points us to Christ, the true Davidic King, whose reign has already begun and whose consummation is certain. The zeal of the Lord ensures its fulfillment. For us, this means assurance: salvation rests not on our striving but on God’s faithfulness. The light has dawned, the child has been given, and His kingdom will never end.

Prayer of Praise: Lord, we thank You that in our darkness You have shone the great light of Christ. We rejoice that the burden of sin and oppression has been broken by His victory. We praise the child given, who is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Establish Your kingdom among us in righteousness and justice, and let Your peace reign forever. By Your zeal and faithfulness, keep us steadfast in hope until the fullness of His reign is revealed.

Scripture Reading #2:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)

Note: John opens his Gospel by lifting our eyes to eternity: “In the beginning was the Word.” This echoes Genesis, yet reveals that before creation, the Word—Christ—already was. He is not a creature but the eternal Son, fully God, dwelling with the Father. All things came into being through Him; creation itself bears witness to His divine authority.

The passage moves from creation to redemption. “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Christ is both source and sustainer, the one who gives true life to a fallen world. His light is not merely physical but spiritual—illumination that dispels ignorance, sin, and death. The darkness cannot overcome it. This is not a battle of equals; the victory of the Word is assured.

For believers, these verses anchor our confidence. The eternal Word who spoke creation into existence is the same Word who entered creation to bring salvation. His light shines even now, and no shadow can extinguish it. John 1:1–5 calls us to worship Christ as Creator, Redeemer, and Light of the world, resting in His eternal power and unshakable triumph.

Hymn: Joy to the World

Scripture Reading #3:

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1: 9-14)

Note: This passage declares that the true Light, Christ, has come into the world. Though He made all things, the world did not recognize Him, and even His own people did not receive Him. Yet to those who believe, He gives the right to become children of God—not by human effort or lineage, but by God’s gracious work. This passage highlights both the tragedy of rejection and the wonder of adoption.

The climax comes in verse 14: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Here is the mystery of the incarnation—God Himself taking on human nature, entering our frailty, and living among us. In Him we behold glory, not hidden but revealed in grace and truth. For believers, this is the heart of assurance: the eternal Word has come near, full of grace, and His presence makes us children of God.

Hymn: Crown Him with Many Crowns

1 Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne.
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless king
through all eternity.

2 Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o'er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save;
his glories now we sing
who died and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.

3 Crown him the Lord of love;
behold his hands and side,
rich wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified;
no angels in the sky
can fully bear that sight,
but downward bends their burning eye
at mysteries so bright.

4 Crown him the Lord of years,
the potentate of time,
creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
for thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.

Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful

1 O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels!

Refrain:
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!

2 God of God, Light of Light,
lo, He abhors not the virgin's womb;
very God, begotten not created; [Refrain]

3 Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest![Refrain]

4 Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv'n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! [Refrain]

Closing Scripture: For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. (John 1:16–18)

Closing Hymn: The Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (together):

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen