There are 3 Reading options suggested for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services. I will post for each set of readings over the coming days.
If you are a small congregation please feel free to print these pages and hand them to parents as they arrive.
If you are a parent or guardian, check with the church you are attending as to what readings they will be using at their services, this will make it easier on you if you can prepare in advance.
I will also post some Christmas Day service general ideas for those who visit a congregation that does not use the Revised Common Lectionary.
No matter where you are or where you go, the important part is that you enjoy this holy day together.
Remember that you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.
Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on
Read during the Bible readings,
Pray during the prayers,
Colour, Draw or Craft during the sermon.
Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.
Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle.
Also leave when you need to but make sure you return quickly.
You and your child/ren have as much right to worship as any other member of the congregation.
Point out the change in the colours in the church, they should now be White, no longer purple, as we have stopped waiting, Christmas has come.
Remember every parent/guardian, even Holy ones, will be sleep deprived Christmas Morning. So be kind to yourself.
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 52:7-10
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McBKknb2J2U The wonderful happened by Cynthia Rylant You can add that the wonderful happened when God’s promises became Jesus
DRAW: all the wonderful things God made
PRAY: How beautiful Lord is the world you made
Lets sing for Joy
And tell all about you
Amen
PSALM 98
READ: Psalm 98: Sing along a new song
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Marvelous is all he has done!
Victory has been won
and all the earth has seen!
Break out with songs of joy!
Trumpets blast and waves crash
Guitars play and rain claps the beat
Music fills the air and hills cheer!
The Lord is coming, he’s nearly here!
He will set things right
and all will be well.
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Marvelous is all he has done!
FROM REV. PURDIE http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-98-sing-along-a-new-song.html
If you are in a congregation that tolerates noise make music during this Psalm, if not use a soft rattle or skin drum or tap lightly on a Hymnal or book, to make quiet noise during the reading of this Psalm
Make a happy or sad face, depending on how this Psalm makes you feel. (some children sensitive to noise may not like this Psalm and that is Ok)
Show what your body does when you are excited.
Draw anything that make you happy.
SECOND READING: HEBREW 1:1-4 (5-12)
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCHDJ6jqEGA A Room for a Little one by Martin Waddel suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-christmas-day-december-25-2011/
PLAY with a nativity or make your own http://www.catholicicing.com/diy-printable-nativity-for-kids/ (Hint if you print on heavy paper you do not need the toilet rolls. For hygiene reasons if sharing with others use cardboard rolls.)
PRAY: Use the nativity to suggest a prayer for each person represented ie for the baby to have a safe home to grow up in, ie for dad to love Mum, for people to care enough to find you etc. (if you do not have a play nativity you can make one here http://www.catholicicing.com/diy-printable-nativity-for-kids/ (Hint if you print on heavy paper you do not need the toilet rolls. For hygiene reasons if sharing with others use cardboard rolls.)
JOHN 1: 1-14
READ/WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFbm0wS3rlg SONG OF THE STARS BY SALLY LLOYD-JONES suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-christmas-day-december-25-2011/
MAKE: you will need a black and a white or silver sheet of A4 paper. Glue the perimeter of the black sheet over the white (or silver )sheet. Now tear a hole in the middle, of the black sheet to let the white/silver sheet through. (like a star shining in the night sky)
OR MAKE A STORY BOOK OF JESUS BIRTH You can do this free handed by drawing a scene fro the story on a sheet of paper and stapling the pages together. OR print off this free colouring in book https://www.marymarthamama.com/kid-stuff/printable-advent-coloring-book/ You will find the download link about half way down the page.
Prepare a special church bag in advance so that you are ready for the rush on Monday Night or Tuesday Morning.
TO Do LIST:
You might need to bring with you
Quiet musical instruments
texta’s
drawing paper
Child’s nativity
Black or white/silver paper
You might want to download
and buy the activity sheet at the the end of https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/jed-and-roy-mccoy-a-christmas-story/
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 