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Christmas Eve Service Wording: Welcome, Candles and Closing

October 29, 2026 · LanternLetter Co.

Most of a Christmas Eve service is already written: the readings, the carols and your church's liturgy. What usually gets written at 4 PM on December 23 are the small pieces in between: the welcome, the line that tells people when to stand, the candle instructions, and the invitation to come back. This page is a bank of original wording you can copy, shorten and adapt for your program or for the person leading worship. For layout, page order and print quantities, see our Christmas Eve program guide; this page is only about the words.

Christmas Eve 2026 is a Thursday, December 24, and Christmas Day is Friday, December 25. Replace anything in [brackets] with your own details.

Welcome wording

Many people on Christmas Eve are guests or family visiting from out of town. A good welcome says you are glad they came, and then answers practical questions before they have to ask.

Short (for the cover or top of the first page):

Welcome to Christmas Eve at [church name]. Whether this is your first time here or your fiftieth, we are glad you are with us tonight.

Medium (for a welcome page):

Welcome, and merry Christmas. Tonight we tell again the story of Jesus' birth with Scripture, carols and candlelight. You don't need to know the routine: everything we say or sing together is printed in this program, and you are welcome to sit and listen at any point. Restrooms are [location]. A nursery for children under [age] is in [room], and children are always welcome to stay in worship with you.

For guests specifically:

If you are visiting, thank you for spending part of your Christmas with us. We won't single you out. If you would like to hear from us, fill in the card in this program or scan the code on the back page.

For people who find Christmas hard:

If this Christmas comes with grief, loneliness or worry, you belong here too. Our pastors will be at the doors after the service, and you can reach them this week at [phone or email].

Transition wording

Transitions are the short lines that tell people what happens next. Printed in italics, they keep a candlelight service calm because nobody has to guess.

Please stand, as you are able, for the opening carol.
Please be seated. Children are invited to come forward for the Christmas story.
The readings tonight follow the Christmas story from the prophets to the shepherds. Please remain seated.
We now receive our offering. If you are our guest, please don't feel you need to give; we are simply glad you are here. Tonight's offering supports [ministry or partner].
Ushers will invite each row forward for communion. All who [your church's invitation] are welcome. If you prefer to remain seated, you are welcome to do so.
Please keep your candle unlit until the ushers come to your row.

Use your church's own words for the communion invitation, since practice differs widely between traditions.

Candle-lighting wording

The candle moment works best when the instructions are printed before the carol starts and repeated briefly aloud. Keep the printed version to four short lines on the same page as the carol.

Printed instructions:

During [carol], the ushers will light the candle of the person at the end of each row. Tilt your unlit candle toward a lit one; never tip a lit candle. Hold your candle upright and keep it away from hair, programs and coats. When the carol ends, blow out your candle and keep it in its paper cup until you leave.

Spoken introduction (for the worship leader):

In a moment, the light from one candle will be passed from person to person until the whole room is lit. It is a small picture of the good news of Christmas being passed on. Please follow the printed instructions, and help the children near you.

For people who would rather not hold a flame:

You are welcome to leave your candle unlit, to share a neighbor's light, or to use one of the battery candles available from the ushers.

Check your building's and your insurer's rules on open flames before you print, and if you use battery candles throughout, rewrite the instructions to match.

Closing wording

Close with a short sending, then your church's own benediction or blessing. These are written as a sending and can be adapted:

Go into this holy night with the joy of the shepherds and the peace that the angels announced. Carry the light you have received tonight into your homes, your families and your neighborhoods. Merry Christmas.

The story we have heard tonight does not end here. Christ has come, and Christ is with us. Go in peace, and come back and see us soon.

After the closing, a short practical line helps people leave safely: Please extinguish your candle before leaving your row, and leave it in the basket by the door.

Back-page invitations

The back page is what people take home. Make the next step specific.

Christmas Day: “Join us for a short Christmas Day service on Friday, December 25 at [time].”
The Sunday after Christmas: “Our next Sunday service is December 27 at [time]. It is a relaxed morning of carols, and everyone is welcome.”
New Year: “[Watch Night or New Year's service details, if you hold one.]”
Staying in touch: “Scan the code to get our weekly email, or visit [web address].” Print the address as well as the code.
Year-end giving: keep it to one line on Christmas Eve, if you include it at all. Our year-end giving insert guide has the full wording for December 27.

Tips for writing your own

Write for someone who has never been to your church. Avoid insider names for rooms and groups.
Read every line aloud. If it is hard to say, it will be hard to read by candlelight.
Print transitions in a size people can read in a dim room. Our large-print bulletin guide has type sizes and contrast tips.
Use the same welcome in your Christmas Eve invitation graphics and email, so guests recognize it when they arrive. See our social media graphics guide.
Carols and liturgy texts may be under copyright even when the tune is old. Check your license before printing words.

Frequently asked questions

What should a Christmas Eve welcome say?

Say you are glad people came, make clear that guests do not need to know the routine because everything is printed, and answer practical questions such as restrooms, the nursery and whether children can stay in worship.

How do you word candle-lighting instructions for a Christmas Eve service?

Keep them to a few short lines on the same page as the carol: the ushers light the end of each row, tilt an unlit candle toward a lit one, never tip a lit candle, keep it upright and away from hair and paper, and blow it out when the carol ends.

Should the Christmas Eve program mention the offering?

Yes, briefly. Many churches say that guests are not expected to give and name what the offering supports. Keep year-end giving reminders to a single line on Christmas Eve.

What day is Christmas Eve in 2026?

Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24, 2026, and Christmas Day is Friday, December 25. The following Sunday is December 27.

Can I copy this wording into our program?

Yes. The wording on this page was written by LanternLetter Co. for churches to adapt. Use your own tradition's words for the communion invitation and the benediction.

Want the program laid out for you?

Our done-for-you Advent Set includes a custom Advent bulletin cover and insert, four weekly social posts and a matching Christmas Eve graphic ($29 when paid by November 15, then $39 from November 16; last orders December 15). On our monthly plans, you send the order of service and this wording, and we send back a print-ready program. To see a design with your church's name first, get a free Advent cover, or browse one-time templates in the shop.