Setting up the Christmas Creche

Setting up the Christmas Creche

Setting up the Christmas Creche is an occasional service of the Reformed Episcopal Church used for the blessing and devotional setting up of a Christmas creche.

Overview

This service blesses the Christmas creche and frames it as a visible devotion to the Incarnation. It is especially suited to the transition from Advent into Christmas.

Full Text of the Service

¶ It is fitting that the following, when used, should follow the services of the Fourth Sunday in Advent and precede the services of Christmas Eve.

¶ When there is a procession, the Minister shall say,

Let us proceed in peace.

Answer. In the Name of the Lord. Amen.

¶ To a suitable hymn, the Clergy and choir may go in procession around the church, joined at some convenient place by children bearing the (crib and) figures for the Nativity scene.

¶ The procession having arrived at the appointed place, the Minister shall say,

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us;

Answer. And we beheld his glory, full of grace and truth.

¶ The crib shall then be set up (and lighted); after which, the Minister shall say,

The Lord be with you.

Answer. And with thy spirit.

Minister. Let us pray.

Glory to God in the highest;

Answer. And on earth peace, good will towards men.

Minister. Let us bless the Lord.

Answer. It is meet and right so to do.

¶ The Minister shall continue, saying,

THANKSGIVING and honour and glory be unto thee, Almighty God, who for us men and for our salvation didst give thine only Son to be born in great humility of the Virgin Mary his mother. Accept and bless to our use this

Christmas Creche, that it may set before us the exceeding love of our Saviour, and bring us with the shepherds and kings to pay to him our true devotion; to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all praise and worship, world without end. Amen.

O GOD, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thine only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Notes on Use

• The rite is fitting after services of the Fourth Sunday in Advent and before Christmas Eve.
• It may include a procession and hymn where local space allows.
• Use the rite to keep the creche devotional rather than merely decorative.

Liturgical Structure

• Procession if used
• Versicles
• Blessing of the creche
• Collects
• Conclusion

Theological Themes

• The Incarnation displayed for prayer and remembrance.
• Christ's humility and the joy of Christmas.
• Household and parish devotion shaped by the church year.

Source

This text is transcribed from the official Reformed Episcopal Church PDF.

See Also

• Book of Common Prayer
• Reformed Episcopal Church
• Anglican liturgy
• Book of Occasional Services (Reformed Episcopal Church)