2017 Christmas Eve: Family

Christmas music playing over pa

Lights out

What child is this? (as candle enters)

Advent reading

Tonight we light the four candles of Advent waiting. We light one for the people who waited for hundreds of years for God's Messiah. We light one for Mary and Joseph waiting for Jesus to be born. We light one for all the waiting we have done getting ready for this night. We light one for all the people who are still waiting tonight for God's love and justice and peace. But tonight, we can finally light the Christ Candle. Jesus is born! The Messiah has come! So let us all say, "Merry Christmas!"

Lights up…dim

Christmas Story Retold

????City-Choir or senior citizens stand and make Bible city sounds such as yelling, donkey sounds, and trumpets.

Joseph-Men stand, raise their right hands, and say, "O Holy Night."

Mary-Women stand, pretend to hold a baby, and say, "Ahhh."

Child-The children on your left stand, place their hands over their hearts, and say, "Love."

Angels-The children on your right stand, hold out their hands like angel wings, and say, "Peace."

Shepherds-Church staff members stand and shake their staffs (use brooms, umbrellas, or yard sticks) in the air.

This story is from the book of Luke, Chapter 2: Joseph (pause) went to the city (pause) of David called Bethlehem, to be registered with Mary (pause), to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child (pause). While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child (pause). And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region, there were shepherds (pause) living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Then an angel (pause) of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel (pause) said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. To you this day is born in the city (pause) of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a child (pause) wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel (pause) a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God in the highest heaven, and saying, "On earth peace among those whom he favors!" When the angels (pause) had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds (pause) said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary (pause) and Joseph (pause), and the child (pause) lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child (pause); and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherd (pause) told them, But Mary (pause) treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Go Tell It on the Mountain

Mighty to Save

Message

Describe the Chrismons on the tree…flashlight.

Alpha and Omega - Jesus' presence at the beginning and the end of time.

The stars - the light Jesus brought to the world.

The crowns - Jesus' rule of the world.

Crosses - that Jesus' rule is based on his forgiving love and sacrificial death.

Silent Night

Candle lighting