It’s finally arrived. Christmas Day. One last candle to light. And look at the colours in the church. We are in a new season, the Season of Advent.
PRAY:
Little Candle Burning bright (make yourself tall, with a flame- Arms over your head with your palms together in prayer)
Light my path (shade your eyes and look ahead)
to Christ your Son – (Blow out the candles and watch the smoke float out into the world.)
May I bring, Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love (point to each of the previous candles)
into the World
Amen
No matter where you are. At your home church, with relatives or travelling. Make sure you are ready to share this amazing time of Worship with your children.
The Uniting Church has 3 different lectionaries to choose from, so it might make being prepared cumbersome if you do not know in advance which readings to prepare for. So I will try to make it as simple as I can. Especially if you are travelling as being weighed down by books and equipment is not always possible (20kg if your flying, or an overflowing family car, can make life difficult), and the idea is to enjoy sharing this experience. Yes, even with overexcited children, fussing in-laws and exhaustion off the scale. I know a quiet service that allows you to snooze quickly is soo tempting. But then you would miss out on the spiritual awakening of your child. And that is worth staying awake to share in..
If you have older children this sheet might help them stay focused during the service https://reflectionaryb.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/christmas1.pdf
You can find some ideas here https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/910 as to where to sit and what to bring.
THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
If you need
3 Possible FIRST READINGS
A) Isaiah 9: 2-7
B) Isaiah 62:6-12
C) Isaiah 52:7-10
3 Possible PSALMS
A) Psalm 96
B) Psalm 97
C) Psalm 98
3 Possible SECOND READINGS
A) Titus: 2:11-14
B) Titus 3:4-7
C) Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12)
3 Possible GOSPEL READINGS
A) Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)
B) Luke 2:( 1-7), 8-20
C) John 1:1-14
You will find last years suggestions here A) https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/478
B) https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/481
C) https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/488
They are the same readings as for Year C and for that matter Year B.
Have a Blessed Christmas
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 