Christmas Eve/Cristmas Day OPTION 3 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 God Gave Jesus for Ua all by David MacGregor 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 52:7-10

READ: from

How beautiful is the person (Shade your eyes)
    who comes over the mountains to bring good news. (rub your hands together)
How beautiful is the one who announces peace. (take a deep breath in)
    He brings good news (rub your hands together)
    and announces salvation. (pretend your hands are a book)
How beautiful are the feet of the one who says to Jerusalem, (shade your eyes)
    “Your God is king.” (bow)
⁸ Listen! Your guards are shouting. (cup your hands around your ear pretending to hear)
    They are all shouting for joy! (star jump)
They all will see with their own eyes (point to your eyes)
    when the Lord returns to Jerusalem.
⁹ Jerusalem, your buildings are destroyed now. (wipe away a tear)
    But shout and rejoice together. (star jump)
You can rejoice because the Lord has comforted his people.(give yourself a hug)
    He has saved Jerusalem. (jump for joy)
¹⁰ The Lord will show his holy power (flex your muscle in your arm)
    to all the nations.
Then everyone on earth
    will see the salvation of our God. (point to your eyes)

actions in italics by me

SING: Choose your favourite Christmas hymn and sing with gusto.

CRAFT

PSALM 98

READ: Psalms for Young People by Marie-Helene Delval

How does this Psalm make you feel? Draw how you feel, or show how you feel, or point out which emoji this Psalm makes you feel like.

SECOND READING: Hebrew 1:1-4(5-12)

READ: Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

SING Hebrew 1:1-2, by Coliln Buchanan on Baa Baa Doo Baa Baa

PRAY

Father God,

In the beginning

you were there

Unchanging

While everything else

Changes

You spoke through your son Jesus

Who you sent from his home

With you

To be one of us

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 1:1-14

READ: I am a Story by Dan Yaccarino

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

SING: Jesus came to Earth on the Awesome God album by Soverign Grace Kids

CRAFT Download, print and colour this simple nativity.

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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