It seems that most of Australia is on the move this Season of Christmas. Some may visit churches other than their home church, some might zoom into services and others might take a break from formal worship. So I have stuctured these suggestions around infromal family faith formation experiences for those away from home or away from the usual structure.
If you are a small congregation who suddenly has children in your pews, these can also be used in your services, shared direct from this site or copied into your order of service.
Faith is portable, we live it, share it everyday. I hope these simple ideas help your family form their faith, no matter where you are.
We are in a new season the season of Christmas, it’s liturgical colour is WHITE (though so feeel GOLD, is a better colour to be using).
For this day there are three sets of readings, Christmas 1, New Year’s Day and Holy Name of Jesus. You can find out which set of readings your congregation is using or if worshipping away from the congregation choose one or work through all three.
Find something white, create a cross from whatever is around you and light a candle as a centerpoint for your worship experience if away from a formal congregational meeting place (often known as a Church)
FIRST READING: Isaiah 63:7-9
READ: The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown
As suggested by STORYPATH
PRAY
God is good
List the things you are thankful to God for. (If you have a Shopping List pad that sits on the fridge or use your phone’s list area to make a written list of these things – or draw them )
Amen
PSALM 148
READ:
Hey, you! Give praise to God! (Flap hand as if calling someone over)
You angels in heaven, sing out glory. (point to the sky)
You stars, sun and moon, shine bright with praise! (twinkle your fingers)
God dreamed you and called you and here you are! (put both hands together like a pillow to put your head on, clasp hands around your mouth like a megaphone, point down at yourself)
You fish and whales and squid, sing praise in the deep. (make a fish with your hands willing in the water)
You elements of nature, fire, rain, wind, (burst your hands apart, wiggle your fingers down, blow)
cold and heat, stone and mountain – praise! (shiver and fan your face with your hand)
God dreamed you and called you and here you are! (put both hands together like a pillow to put your head on, clasp hands around your mouth like a megaphone, point down at yourself)
You plants and forests, praise God as you flower and fruit. (form 2 fists then unfurl your fingers, and the reach up as if picking a piece of fruit from a tree)
You mammals, insects, reptiles and birds – praise! (Wiggle your hand like a snake, then entwine your hands and flutter your fingers)
God dreamed you and called you and here you are! (put both hands together like a pillow to put your head on, clasp hands around your mouth like a megaphone, point down at yourself)
You people, Presidents and nobodies, rich and poor, (waggle your pointer finger)
women and men and girls and boys,
in every corner of planet Earth,
God dreamed you and called you and here you are! (put both hands together like a pillow to put your head on, clasp hands around your mouth like a megaphone, point down at yourself)
So listen out for the Name that is above every Name,
sing out with all the love and joy you can find
for all you are is made by God,
all you have is gift from God.
Calling all creation – come and be found in praise! (flap hand as if calling someone over)
http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-148-calling-all-creation.html by Rev. Purdie actions by me.
DRAW you might even want to draw some of the wonderful things in the Pslam
SECOND READING: Hebrews 2:10-18
READ: GOD’S DREAM BY Desmond Tutu
SING/LISTEN Jesus you’re my hope by Soveriegn Kids
DO: colour in a heart shape. Then cut it in pieces to make a jigsaw puzzle. Put the jigsaw ( the heart) back together.
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 2:13-23
READ: Jesus was a Refugee by Andrew McDonough
DO: Jesus was a refugee Activity Pack download for $4.95 More than enough activities for everyone of all ages.
If you are unable to download and print, find bits and pieces around you to make puppets and play out the story or if at the beach or in the outback draw the story in the sand.
Pray:
Amongst Joy
There can be sadness
Help me to be aware
Of other peoples needs
Amen
Now might be a good time to learn the Lords’s Prayer or if in Australia to learn an acknowledgement of Country. Or maybe read the book Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin. Or WATCH
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY
Blessings
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.
The Cross in My Backyard 