Christmas
X-mas Eve Reading: Darkness/Light
Here is a dramatic reading for a Christmas Eve service of worship inspired by John 1. A cantor and three readers (Darkness 1, Darkness 2 & Light) are needed. Hymn tune for cantor part is the traditional, “Coventry Carol” The reading is in two parts: 1) Darkness, 2) Light. The first part could be used as a Call to Worship or a “cold opening” before a prelude. The 2nd part is meant to be read towards the end of the service (e.g. perhaps as the last of the lessons and carols). Darkness/Light: Darkness...
read moreChristmas Pageant 2019
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Below is an imaginative retelling of the Christmas story designed to be performed by a Sunday School as a Sunday morning service in Advent. It can be adapted for a wide variety of cast sizes and sanctuary set-ups. Specific solo and choral pieces are not cited below but there are many out there to choose from. Cast Angel # 1 Angelica: Angel # 2 Ariel: Angel # 3 Dina: Mary: Gabriel: Shepherd Sten: Shepherd Corin: Shepherd Sirus: Joseph: Inman the Innkeeper: Queen Regina: Queen Isabella: Queen Sophia: King Herod: Shepherds...
read morePassport to Advent
For many congregations, Advent is a season filled with special signs, programs and wonders!! Advent wreaths, Christmas trees and lights, special concerts, pageants…to name a few. Those who are familiar with your church may know what to expect, but visitors don’t. In addition, newcomers and oldcomers alike may not know the significance behind what you are doing in your worship services and programs. What is Advent again? Why light an Advent Wreath? To let people know what your congregation is offering, and what visitors can...
read moreAdvent Wreath 2018
“Silent Night, Holy Night” was first performed on 12/24 1818 at St. Nicholas church of Oberndorf. It was performed by Franz Xaver Gruber (composed tune) and Joseph Mohr (wrote lyrics). That means that the hymn celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2018!! To commemorate this anniversary, here is an Advent Wreath lighting liturgy for all four Sundays in Advent and for Christmas Eve. Advent 1: Hope Word of Hope: Psalm 25:1-10 One: Lift up our souls. MANY: As your beloved, we ask: do not remember our failings. One: But lead us in...
read moreConvo w/Incarnation
Christmas Eve 2017 is a Sunday which means that many of our churches will have a morning service, and an evening service or two. It is a busy day and in some churches, the morning service will be sparsely attended as people wait for the evening services. If you won’t have time to prepare a sermon, or you want to shorten and simplify the morning service, below is a reading for 2 voices based on John 1:1-14 that could be used in place of a sermon, or elsewhere in the service (it could be adapted for use on other occasions). It is a...
read moreLight the Candle!!!
Below is an Advent wreath liturgy written for a Christmas Eve family/early service using Isaiah 9:2-7. It gives children and adults alike a chance to shout in church and celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. Fun, simple and meaningful. One: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. RESPONSE: [SHOUT] Light the candle!! One: [LIGHT PURPLE CANDLE #1] A light has shined on those living in deep darkness. RESPONSE: Light the candle!! One: [LIGHT PURPLE CANDLE #2] You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy....
read moreNativity: Look Again
Most of us have 1 or 5 or 10 of them. You know crèches…nativity sets…little wooden houses with painted shepherds, magi, doting parents, and the baby Jesus in a manger. They are an ancient and effective tool that the church uses to tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. We also see them so often during Advent and Christmas that well…maybe…we don’t see really see them at all. Here are some ways you might use nativity sets in the worshiping life of your church to reclaim them as a tool for telling the...
read moreChristmas Eve: Drama of the Light (for 4 Voices)
Below is a dramatic reading for 4 voices that was written for Christmas Eve, 2014. We used it as a call to worship but you could use it anywhere in the service. If your setting allows it, you may consider scattering the four readers around the sanctuary. You can also have them grouped, perhaps in the back of the sanctuary. Whatever you decide, make sure the readers speak loudly or have microphones so that all can hear! Narrator: In Bethlehem that night there were many lights. The moon was out. The stars were twinkling. And...
read moreLight of the World
A Christmas Eve tradition that some in our congregation have observed involves bringing lanterns to worship. During the singing of “Silent Night,” they light their lanterns and then bring the “light of the world” with them as they leave the sanctuary and travel home. Over the years this tradition was carried on by fewer and fewer. SAD. Valuing the tradition and desiring to carry it on, we revitalized it by doing the following: We advertised and announced this tradition (bulletins, newsletters, email updates, worship...
read more“Xmas Eve on Fire”
Imagine this: Christmas Eve Snow blanketing the ground Early/family service begins at 5:00 p.m. and the time is now 4:30 p.m. Portable firepit on the front lawn of the church with logs blazing Hot chocolate in vacuum pots on a table nearby Small Christmas tree with a box full of ornaments Families, individuals, couples, whoever, arriving, grabbing a cup of cocoa, hanging an ornament, warming themselves by the fire, giggling with Christmas excitement At 5:05 p.m. booklets with Christmas carols are handed out and people sing their favorites At...
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