Christmas Eve/Christmas Day OPTION 1 Revised Common Lectionary ideas to involve even the youngest.

There are 3 sets of reading for use in Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. Check with the Church you are attending or the on-line service you are viewing to find out which one they are following. Or have all three open so that you are ready to share the message of these amazing worship expereinces with the children in your company.

We enter a new Church Season, Christmas, and it’s liturgical colour is WHITE (if you find that choice repressive many are now substituting GOLD)

If worshipping at home you might want to set up a focal point, possibly the Advent Candles,. and maybe a nativity. For Christmas Eve services some people remove the baby, adding him in for Sunday morning services.

CONGREGATIONAL USE: Though parents are the best at sharing their faith with their children, if you are a small congregation where children are a very small, or rare part of your congregational life. Please feel free to make these suggestions available to your congregation. Very happy for you to copy and paste idesa into your own Order of Service.

LET’S BEGIN:

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

SING/LISTEN The Greatest Present by Snack Music Today is a great day to let little ones “sing” too by playing soft bells or maracca’s

Colouring in sheets Look for the MERRY CHRISTMAS sheet for today

THE LORD’S PRAYER:

You might like to start with the Lord’s Prayer if at home, or say the Lord’s Prayer within a set place if following along in a service. Here are 4 options

2 with ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w

A more contemplative version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NuUo-igXDU&fbclid=IwAR2FasYCU-9mP1PaLQDjweXyhyUnJutt4J28KycjzeUEttWSesipX2jmJxE

Or for a more Intergenerational approach try Number 1 on the Table Settings album by Liturgical Folks

I have given you a choice of 2 Christmas day candle liturgies.

SOUTHERN CROSS CHRISTMAS DAY LITURGY

You can print this version of the Southern Cross here

Place a candle on the star. Today I use the brightest star in the constellation. ( You can find more information on the Southern Cross here, including the star names, and some information on how The First peoples understand these stars)

OR if you have a flag or piece of clothing with the Southern Cross on it you might use a torch behind, to shine through the fabric. DO NOT place the material directly on any heat source, electrical, battery or flame.

(actions in italics)

We stand under the Southern Cross (Arms and eyes high)

As the First People have and still do.

God you were always in this land (plant your feet firmly on the ground)

We light our Brightest star (twinkle your fingers)

May Christ guide us to You. (Form the cross with your Body)

Amen

OR

God came into our life,

shining light into the night

We welcome God’s gift

Jesus today

Amen

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Prepare a present (you might like to put a baby doll in the middle present) in advance, wrap as many layers as you want, then each person removes a piece of wrapping and says a prayer. This may be a silent prayer it doesn’t have to be verbal.

If you are in Australia and attending a Uniting Church in Australia, in many cases an Acknowledgment of Country will be said. You can teach your young ones to do this too

FIRST READING:Isaiah 9:2-7

WATCH stop at the 1.18 second mark.

SING: To Us a Child is Born on Seeds of Christmas EP by Seeds Family Worship

Colouring-In

PSALM 96

A Christmas Psalm: 
​based on Psalm 96

Sing a new song to the Lord
All the earth, sing! (Pretend to sing)
All you people, sing!
See God’s glory, it is coming! (shield your eyes as if looking far away)
Tell of God’s salvation, it is coming into the world!
Speak of greatness, strength to overcome. (show your muscles)
Come out to meet the Lord, proclaiming his name.
Come into his holy place and tremble.(shake)
All the earth, tremble in wonder.
All the galaxies, rejoice in praise! (Look Up)
All the oceans and all that lives in the sea – sing for joy!
All the fields and forests and all that lives on the land – shout for joy! ((star jump)
For the Lord is coming –
he is coming to make everything new, (dust off your hands)
he is coming to put things right.
Rejoice for the Lord is coming … (Star Jump)

But will we see him, born in a manger?
Will we proclaim him, son of Mary? (pretend to cradle a Baby)
Will we welcome him, this stranger in a strange land?
Will we honour him, this unexpected judge of the world? (make a fist with one hand and bang it down on top of the palm of your other hand)

Lord God, we see you, born in a manger.
Lord Jesus, we proclaim you, son of God and son of man. (pretend to cradle a Baby)
Loving God, we welcome you; come make your home among us.
Lord Jesus, we honour you and praise you and choose again to follow. (bow your head, then arms up high)
Amen.

My thanks and Christmas Blessings to Rev Purdie for this rewrite of the Psalm. Actions in Italics are my additions.

Traditonally the words in bold are said by the congregation.

SING

SECOND READING: Titus 2:11-14

READ:

God gave us a present

That will change the way we live

God’s own son

Born of Mary

Who lived and died

To show God’s love

for us.

SING Good and Gracious by Sovereign Grace Music

MAKE: Make a Christmas present, and place a note of something nice you will do for the person recieving the gift.

GOSPEL READING: Luke 2:1-14(15-20)

WATCH

READ: The Whirl Story Bible, Jesus is Born, pp.142-145

OR The Spark Story Bible, Jesus is Born, pp.198-203. For the reading outside the brackets stop half way down p.200 NOTE in the picture on p.199 Mary is riding on a donkey but it is not mentioned in the Biblical text.

SING JOY on Seeds of Christmas EP by Seeds Family Worship

MAKE: Download the Advent Angel from the Nativity Colouring In Download underneath the Something is Coming Resource at bottom of the page. I recommend that you print this out on thick paper rather then the standard photocopy paper, so that it can stand up. Why stop at 1 angel make a whole choir.

To all a Blessed Christmas

Wendy L.

Please check local guidlines before using items that are not mine especially if you are using this page for congregational use. Please acknowedge this page if you find it useful. Thank you.

I am writing this on Wurundjeri land and wish to pay respect to all Elders, past, present and emerging.

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