whether you are a family of one or a family of 15 or somewhere in between or more
Needed:
5 candles, four of the same colour and one a different colour
Candle holders
If you wish, you could also use a manger and its characters for this. Take everyone away and add them back in as you read about the characters.
Sing the carols with gusto. Don’t worry about whether you’re singing in tune or even know the tune.
Feel free to sing other carols in the place of ones suggested.
Thanks to the Youth at High River United who helped me write the prayers.
Angels
Read: An angel of the Lord stood before the shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone all around. The shepherds were terrified. But the angel said, "Do not be afraid, for I bring you good news. A baby is born today in Bethlehem who is Jesus, the Messiah, the Lord." Then the sky was filled with angels and they sang together, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to all people." Luke 2:8-14
Light one of the four candles of same colour
Pray:
The angels sang a beautiful message of peace, and calmed the fears of Mary and of the shepherds.
We pray for all who make music, all who bring messages of peace
and all who work to calm the fears of others.
Sing: Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,
behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.
The shepherds feared and trembled when lo, above the earth
rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Saviour’s birth.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.
Words: John Wesley Work II 1907:
Music: African-American Spiritual 19th Century
Mary & Joseph
Read: In those days Caesar Augustus declared that a census should be taken, and Mary and Joseph were forced to make the long journey to Joseph’s home town of Bethlehem even though Mary was very pregnant. While they were there, the time came for Mary to have the baby. 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. Luke 2: 1-7
Light one of the four candles of same colour
Pray:
Mary was a young woman who was asked to do a difficult thing. She had to be brave and strong. Most of all, she had to trust in God. Joseph was loving man, who wanted to do the right thing. He too was asked to do a difficult thing. He too had to trust God. We pray for all who face difficult tasks and challenges in their lives. We pray that we all might learn to trust God more.
Sing: Joy to the world, the Lord is come,
Let earth receive her king.
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Words: Isaac Watts 1719
Music: Geroge Frederic Handel 1742
Shepherds
Read: When the angels had left the shepherds said to one another, "Let’s go to Bethlehem and see if what the angels have said is true." So they went to Bethlehem, and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. They told Mary and Joseph about the angels and what they had been told, and everyone was amazed. Then the shepherds returned to the fields singing praises to God. Luke 2:15-20
Light one of the four candles of same colour
Pray:
The shepherds were poor, hardworking folk, living on the edge of society.
Today we pray for all who work hard in this world,
all who face poverty, and all who find it hard to be accepted for who they are.
Sing: O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
o come ye, o come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him, born the King of angels,
O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Words: Frederick Oakeley 1841
Music: John Francis Wade 1743
Wisemen
Read: The wisemen saw the star when it rose in the sky, and followed it until it came to stop over the house. They were overwhelmed with joy as they entered and found the baby with Mary his mother. Then they knelt down and bowed before him. They opened their treasure chests and gave the baby gifts of gold, frankincense and myrhh.
Matthew 2:10-11
Light one of the four candles of same colour
Pray:
The wisemen were strangers who came to honour baby Jesus.
They shared their wealth and did what was needed to keep the baby safe.
We pray for all who are strangers living in a new land.
We pray for all who make decisions about sharing what they have.
We pray for all work to keep our country and its people safe.
Sing: Silent night, holy night,
all is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child,
Holy infant so tender and mind,
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Words: Joseph Mohr, 1818
Music: Franz Xavier Gruber 1818
Jesus
Read: A child has been born to us; a son has been given to us. Power rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Light the candle that is a different colour.
Pray:
Jesus came to show us that God-is-with-us.
Jesus came so that we would know that we are not alone
through all the joys and sorrows, tragedies and triumphs, disasters and dreams of our lives.
We thank you, loving God, for giving us the gift of your son.
We pray for everyone who needs to know the Good News that God is with us.
Sing: Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky look down where he lay.
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
Words: author unknown
Music: William James Kirkpatrick 1895
Blessing
Let us live today and every day of the year with Christmas in our hearts.
Let us share the Good News that God is with us; we are not alone.
May we know today the blessing of God’s love as we celebrate together. Amen.
Everyone greets each other with words such as "The peace of Christ be with you." or "God is with you; you are not alone." or "Jesus is born. Merry Christmas."
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