Carols by the Lake is a free community event and we thank you for coming. If you would like to donate toward assisting a family in need this Christmas - that would be amazing too. Donations can be made at The Link Information Tent or via the donate button. Please also find our Carols SONGBOOK for you to join in on the Carols! - Merry Christmas from The Link Church.
Joy To the World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
​
We will sing sing sing
Joy to the world
We will sing sing sing
​
Joy to the world!
the Saviour reigns:
let men their songs employ, their songs employ
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
​
We will sing sing sing
Joy to the world
We will sing sing sing
​
He rules the earth with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love, and wonders of His love
and wonders of his love, and wonders of His love
and wonders, and wonders of his love.
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We will sing sing sing
Joy to the world
We will sing sing sing
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Joyful Joyful Lord we adore the
God of Glory Lord of Love
Hearts unfold like flowers before the
Opening to the Sun above
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We Three Kings
We three kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we travel afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder Star
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Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again;
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign
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O, star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
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Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and sacrifice,
hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Sounds through the Earth and skies.
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I’m gonna need, gonna need that perfect light
Yeah I’m gonna need gonna need that perfect light
Let your light shine let your light x6
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Star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Guide us to thy perfect light
Guide us to thy perfect light
​
Yeah I’m gonna need gonna need that perfect light
​
Let your light shine, let your light
Let your light shine, let your light
​
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
At the Christmas Party Hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Every couple tries to stop
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Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie
And we'll do some carolling
​
You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Voices singing, "Let's be jolly,
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
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Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancin' merrily
In the new old-fashioned way
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Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
o’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way.
Bells on bob-tail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight.
​
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, O
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Tis the season to be jolly
Dorn we now our gay apparel
Falalalalalalala bar
Sing the ancient yule tide carols
Falalalalalalalala
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Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on your troubles will be out of sight,
​
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on your troubles will be miles away
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Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore,
Faithful friends who are dear to us
They gather near to us once more, ooh
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Through the years we all will be together and
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bow,
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
​
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore,
Faithful friends who are dear to us
They gather near to us once more
​
Through the years we all will be together and
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bow
And have yourself a merry little Christmas
And have yourself a merry little Christmas
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
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O Come O Come Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
​
O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
​
O come, desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease
And flood the earth with heavens perfect peace
And flood the earth with heavens perfect peace
And flood the earth with heavens perfect peace
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
​
The First Noel
The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay:
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep
on a cold winter's night that was so deep.
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Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.
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They all looked up and saw a star,
shining in the east, beyond them far:
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
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Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.
Now let us all with one accord
sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
who brought forth heaven and earth from nought,
and with his blood mankind has bought.
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Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel. Born is the King of Israel
​
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
God rest ye merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray;
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O tidings of comfort and joy,
Let heaven and nature let them sing
Joy to the world for the newborn King
​
From God our heavenly Father
The blessed angels came.
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name:
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O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and Joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Let heaven and nature let them sing
​
Angels we’ve heard on high
Singing their sweet reply
Let every heart rejoice
And lift up their voice
Let heaven, Let heaven
Let Heaven Let Heaven
Let heaven and nature let them sing
Joy to the world to the world
​
Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
the merry time of Christmas
is drawing on apace:
​
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and Joy
O tidings of coooommfort and joy
heaven and nature let them sing
heaven and nature let them sing
​
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of the Year
It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap- happiest season of all
​
There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And carolling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago
​
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And carolling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago
​
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time of the year
​
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
It came upon the midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world
​
"Peace on the earth and goodwill to men
From heavens gracious King!"
Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long
Beneath the blessed angel strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong
​
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens gracious King!"
​
O hush the noise ye men of strife
And hear the angels sing
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Peace on Earth, good will to men
From Heaven's gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angel's song
To hear the angel's song
​
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it,
You would even say it glows.
​
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games.
​
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say: (Ho-Ho-ho)
"Rudolph with your nose so bright,
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
​
Then all the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
You'll go down in history!
​
Well Rudolph he didn't go for that
He said "I see through your silly games"
How could you look me in the face
When only yesterday you called me names?
​
Well all of the other reindeers man
Well they sure did feel ashamed
"Rudolph you know we're sorry,
We're truly gonna try to change"
Rudolf Red Nose again.
​
Angels We Have Heard on High
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
​
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Glory to God in the highest
​
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn King
​
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
​
Angles sing for Christ our King
Stars rejoice so we will sing
Glory to God in the highest
Glory to God in the highest.
​
Angles sing for Christ our King
And rejoice so we will sing
Glory to God in the highest
Glory to God in the highest.
​
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Glory to God in the highest
​
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
​
You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
​
He's making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out
Who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
​
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So you better be good for goodness sake!
Better be for goodness sake
​
You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
​
Little Drummer Boy
​
Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
​
So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come
​
Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too,pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
​
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum?
​
Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
​
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
​
rum pa pum pum!
We Wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year.
​
Good tidings we bring,
To you and your kin,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year.
​​
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with angelic hosts proclaim,
'Christ is born in Bethlehem'
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Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
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Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail, the incarnate deity,
pleased as Man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
​
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
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Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!
Hail the Son of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that man no more may die,
born to raise the sons of earth,
born to give them second birth.
​
Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
Jingle Bell Rock
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun
​
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell
Square
In the frosty air.
​
What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
(To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh)
​
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your
feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feat
(That's the jingle bell,)
(That's the jingle bell,)
That's the jingle bell rock.
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O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
​
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep
The angels keep their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King And peace to men on earth
​
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel
Our Lord Emmanuel
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Away In A Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head,
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
​
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
​
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and take us to heaven, to live with thee there.
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head,
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
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Silent Night
Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
round the virgin mother and child,
Holy infant so tender and mild,
sleep in Heavenly peace,
sleep in Heavenly peace.
​
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from Heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ, the Saviour, is born,
Christ, the Saviour, is born!
Oh Jesus our Lord and saviour
How can this be the high King of heaven
asleep in the straw
Oh Jesus our hope and salvation
The hope of the nations
asleep in this manger
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Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, loves pure light
Radiant beams from thy Holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Jesus, Lord at thy Birth
​
Oh Jesus our Lord and saviour
How can this be the high King of heaven
asleep in the straw
Oh Jesus our hope and salvation
The hope of the nations
asleep in this manger
The hope of the nations
asleep in this manger
​
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
​
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
​
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
​
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun
​
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
What Child Is This
What Child is this, who laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
​
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing!
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe the Son of Mary
​
So bring Him incense
Gold and myrrh come peasant
King to own Him
The King of kings
Salvation brings, let loving hearts
Enthrone Him
​
Raise, raise a song on high!
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
​
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing!
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe the Son of Mary
​
Nails, spears shall pierce Him through
The Cross He bore for me, for you
​
Hail, hail the Word made flesh
The Babe the Son of Mary
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O Holy Night
​
O Holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
​
Fall on your knees,
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born
​
Truly He taught us to love one another.
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
​
Christ is the Lord
And we shall ever praise Him
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim
​
He shall reign for ever and ever
He shall reign for ever and ever
He shall reign for ever and ever
He shall reign forever
​
Fall on your knees,
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born
O night divine,
O night, O Holy night!
​
Mary Did You Know
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Would someday walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you.
​
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You've kissed the face of God
​
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb
​
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
Is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am
​
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
Oh come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; come and behold him,
Born the King of angels:
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
​
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all ye citizens of heaven above Glory to God
Glory in the highest
​
Ha – a -a -lelujah ha-a-a-lelujah hallelujah he has come.
Yea Lord we greet thee
Born this happy morning Jesus to thee be all glory given Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
​
Ha – a -a -llelujah ha-a-a-llelujah hallelujah He has come. X4
O come all ye faithful come let us adore Him O sing hallelujah come let us adore Him x2​​​​​
Christmas Message
We hope you been enjoying Carols by the Lake 2024 – We wanted to share with you as we do each year a Christmas message.
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Thank you for joining us as we celebrate 20 years of this amazing community event—Carols by the Lake!
What an incredible milestone, and what a joy it is to have all of you here. This is a night where we pause, come together, and celebrate everything that makes this season so special.
We love looking at themes that capture the heart of the season. And tonight, we’d like to share a theme that resonates deeply with us—celebration.
Not just any celebration, but one that’s grounded in joy, love, and gratitude.
And how about we kick things off with a big round of applause a celebration for this beautiful evening, the amazing band, and all the volunteers who make this night possible?
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Here at Carols by the Lake, the idea of celebration is at the heart of what we do. It’s a time to come together with family, friends, and our community to reflect on the things that truly matter—love, kindness, hope, and the joy of giving.
This season also invites us to reflect on and celebrate the deeper gifts in life—not just the ones wrapped in beautiful paper, but the gifts that come from God: love, peace, and joy.
When we look at the story of Christmas, we see a message of hope—a reminder that no matter where we find ourselves, there’s a light that shines in the darkness, a love that never fails, and a God who cares for us deeply.
Absolutely, Clare. The Christmas story reminds us of God’s gift to the world his son Jesus—a gift that brings hope and purpose.
The Bible tells us in James 1:17 that “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” That’s something worth celebrating tonight.
It’s a season that reminds us to share that goodness with others. Maybe it’s through an act of kindness, a word of encouragement, or simply being present for someone who needs a listening ear.
And what better way to celebrate than with gratitude in our hearts. Being thankful that we can all find inspiration in the idea of love and hope coming into the world.
And that’s why we’re here tonight—celebrating the gift of love, the gift of community, and the gift of God’s goodness. As we sing these carols and enjoy this beautiful evening, let’s take a moment to reflect on how much we’ve been given:
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The joy of music that lifts our spirits.
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The kindness and support of those around us.
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And the hope that comes from knowing we’re never alone because God is with us.
For many of us, the Christmas season is a time to reconnect with our faith and with God’s promises for our lives. As we sing these carols, let them remind us of the hope, peace, and joy that come from a relationship with God.
[Glenn]
So, as we head into this special season, let’s think about how we can carry this spirit of celebration forward:
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By being kind to one another.
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By finding ways to share God’s love with others.
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And by taking time to reflect on the gifts of grace, forgiveness, and hope that God offers each of us.
Thank you for being part of this amazing night. We hope these carols fill your heart with joy and remind you of the beauty of God’s love. Merry Christmas Everyone.
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