Advent & Christmas

2009

Advent What is Advent? The season of Advent is a time when individuals prepare their hearts to receive Christ. Advent refers to the “coming” or “arrival” of Jesus Christ. The first Sunday of Advent occurs near or upon November 30 each year. It always includes four Sundays and varies in length from twenty-two to twenty-eight days. Advent ends with Christmas Eve.

Advent can be celebrated at church and at home. This celebration can include singing a carol, reading scripture, praying, and a brief devotional reading. What does it mean to prepare our hearts to receive Christ? Believers who desire to grow in their relationship with Christ find Advent a particularly meaningful time. Regular devotions and time in prayer help the people of God experience the presence of Christ in their heart. Christians are also waiting for Christ’s promised return to the world, called the “Second Coming.” Advent is a time of waiting, expectation and longing.

Often times when we are making or buying gifts, preparing meals, or visiting friends and family, we tend to forget about the real meaning of Christmas. Advent provides an opportunity for us to slow down, talk and listen to God who helps us get ready for the coming of the Christ child.

Gathering together during these special times gives us a sense of identity that comes from knowing and experiencing the presence of Christ. These kinds of gatherings become a tradition and helps children enjoy family and friends who provide stability, love and faith. What is the color of Advent? The traditional color for Advent is purple which refers to the coming of the royal King, Jesus Christ, and it also refers to repentance.

Traditional candle colors in an advent wreath vary:

Some use 3 purple and 1 pink. Others use four purple candles.

Blue candles can also be used in the Advent wreath.

The Christ candle in the center of the advent wreath is white. What is the Advent Wreath? An Advent wreath is a ring holding four candles decorated with greenery. The circle symbolizes God’s everlasting love for God’s creation and the evergreens represent Christ’s gift of eternal life. The light of each candle represents the light that Christ brings to the World. On Christmas day, a white Christ candle is lit in the center of the wreath to announce the birth of Christ who is the Light of the World.

The Advent wreath can be placed in the center of your table to daily remind you of the preparation and celebration of Jesus the newborn King. You can color the pictures as you work through the Advent devotions each week.

May the Lord bless your family as you take time to prepare for and to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

An Intergenerational Advent Gathering: Listening to God

During the Advent and Christmas season, we are reminded that the church is a place of mission that penetrates the culture with the light of Christ that brings grace, joy and love. By providing intergenerational events, the church can be a place where the entire church community can grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Why should churches have an intergenerational event? Have you ever witnessed the joy of a small child being listened to intently by an elderly adult? Have you seen the face of a child who is being helped by an interested teenager? The joy and excitement of young children is contagious. The elderly bring wisdom and experience; the children bring joy, anticipation and wonder. The young people bring energy and humor. In Deuteronomy 6:4, we read that the Israelites were to teach their children to love the Lord with all their hearts, souls and minds. Parents are told to teach these commandments to their children at home, when they walk along the road, at bedtime and first thing in the morning. As spiritual parents or mentors of the church, we can model these teachings of God as we eat, study, create, pray, and worship together. An intergenerational event during Advent will give the church family an opportunity to experience the love and presence of God in an atmosphere with children, youth and adults of all ages. Those who gather can talk about their faith journeys and experience foundational spiritual practices as they grow and learn together. A team of 6-8 people is needed to pray, plan, pray more, set- up, decorate, greet, provide refreshments, facilitate the discussion, provide childcare, recruit others to serve, and follow up with those who attend this event. There will be multi-generational groups at each table. The room where the event will be held should be handicap accessible and there should be a nursery nearby for the babies. Toddlers may need another place to play with responsible adults and teens supervising. Please use this Advent Intergenerational Gathering format as a guide for your event. You may copy, edit or adapt it to fit your church’s needs. During the 1½ hour event the attendees will:

• hear the Christmas story and talk about the story as a group • talk about what it means to listen to God • spend time praying and listening

A Format for the Advent Intergenerational Gathering

Prepare • The room is decorated in purple which represents royalty, getting ready and waiting for the coming of the Christ

Child.

• Greeters, that include both adult and teens, are at the door to welcome each person who walks in.

• There are tables that have a child-friendly nativity scene.

• On each table there are crayons and picture of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, a shepherd, sheep and the manger on cardstock. There is plain paper and markers for the older children and adults to use.

• While people are gathering, one of the team leaders is secretly getting a few people to say one sentence in a tape recorder without giving their names. This will be explained and played later.

Invite (Create a welcoming atmosphere - 15 minutes)

• As children, youth and adults walk in, they are invited to sit at the table and color the figures on the paper or draw their own Nativity scene.

• Older adults, those without children and children or youth without adults, are invited to sit at the tables. All tables have mixed generations.

• After everyone is seated at the table, the leader opens with a short prayer.

• The leader asks opening questions: Tell everyone your name and talk about a trip that you have taken to visit someone or to see something special. How long was the journey? How did you get there?

Inform (Engage the participants in the story - 15 minutes)

• There is a drum roll, trumpet sound or a bell rings. The narrator begins with an introduction about Mary and Joseph and their engagement. Then, as the angel enters, the narrator begins to tell the story (see attached) and the individuals act out the story as it is told. The actors are people from all generations. At the end of the story, the group sings “Joy to the World.”

• The leader provides the following questions either on a sheet of paper for table groups to discuss or by asking them out loud with the entire group responding: (5-6 minutes)

1- I wonder how Mary felt when an angel of God spoke to her?

2- I wonder how Joseph felt when an angel of God spoke to her?

3- I wonder what it was like for Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem?

4- I wonder what the Shepherds felt about the angels who came to them with the Good News that the special son of God is born in Bethlehem?

5- I wonder what the animals were thinking? I wonder what it was like for Jesus?

6- I wonder if you have ever heard the Lord speaking to you?

7- I wonder what God is saying to you?

Investigate (Explore and learn more about the people in the story and what the story means - 20 minutes) • The leader asks questions about the individuals in the story. What more can we learn about Joseph, Mary and the

Shepherds? While the leader is talking, the actors of Mary and Joseph help answer the questions. The leader asks the following questions to the entire group and waits for responses.

1- What do you know about Mary? Can you tell me about her? She was Jesus’ mother and she was a young, poor teenager. She found favor with God.

2- Do you remember how she found out she was going to be Jesus’ mother? Yes, an angel came to her. Can you imagine that—an angel? How do you think she felt about being Jesus’ mother? That is an important job.

3- What did Mary say to the angel? She responded by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant.” She wanted to do God’s work. This young girl rejoiced that God had a plan for her life. Then she prayed to God. She went to see Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist.

4- What do we know about Joseph? He was engaged to Mary. An angel came to Joseph too and Joseph did what the angel told him to do. The Bible never tells us one word that Joseph spoke. It only tells us what he did. He became the earthly father of Jesus. His family was from the city of Bethlehem (the city of David).

5- How many miles was it from Nazareth to Bethlehem? It was 70 miles.

6- What did the angel tell the shepherds? How did they react? The lowly shepherds in the fields were the first to hear about the birth of Jesus the newborn king. At first they were terrified, then they were joyful, then they told everyone and praised God for what they had seen.

7- Where was Jesus born? In a manger bed in a stable. In ancient times, stables where animals were kept were often caves carved into the rock walls. It was probably dark and dirty; not the expected birthplace of a king.

8- What was it like for these people to be given a special message from God? Have you ever heard God speaking to you? What would God say?

Illustrate (Talk about what it means to listen - 20 minutes)

• The leader says: it is important to listen to what God is telling you. Mary, Joseph and the shepherds knew that God was speaking to them through the angels. How do we know that God is speaking to us? Most people do not have an angel visit us like Mary, Joseph and the shepherds did, but we can listen to God. Mary, Joseph and the shepherds recognized that God had a plan for them. They stayed close to God by praying to him. God loves us and sent Jesus His Son so that we can be forgiven of our sins. Jesus came to be the King, Our Lord and Savior. Jesus, the Son of God wants to have a relationship with us.

• The leader starts playing one of the voices on the tape recorder and asks:

• Can you recognize this voice? Who is this? The people respond. Play a few of the voices and let people guess who the voices are.

• The leader can say: Just like we recognize these voices, we can also recognize God’s voice. When God speaks to us; he is always loving and kind. God guides and leads us and shows us what to do. God’s words are never rude or mean. He knows each one of us by name and wants to have a relationship with each one of us. God sent Jesus and Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

• Play or sing “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

• Christmas is about God’s gift to us, Jesus Christ. We thank God for sending us Jesus who is our Lord and Savior.

• The leader instructs each person to hold one of the figures that is on their table.

• Pray and Thank God - Each person can hold a character and one at a time thank God for the people in the Bible story. Thank God that these people listened to the angel.

• Pray and Ask God- Pray that we can listen to God and know the sound of His voice. If someone is too shy to talk, they can hold their figure and pray silently. When all the groups have finished praying, the leader will lead the group in a closing song: “Jesus loves me this I know” or “Away in the Manger.”

Inspire (Continue the conversation at home - 5 minutes) • The Advent Gathering has been a time of listening, watching, talking and experiencing God together. Encourage

the participants to take home the pictures of the Nativity scene that they colored at the table. They can be made into standing figures and put on their table at home to remind them of the Christmas story.

• The groups are encouraged to continue to thank God for sending Jesus so that we can have a relationship with Him. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Give each person an advent devotional that can be ordered through the PC(USA) website (www.pcusa.org/advent/) or from Cokesbury. They are also invited to the next event.

Evaluation

• Before the groups leave, you may want them to fill out a short evaluation that asks: What was a significant part of the event for you? What did you learn about prayer? What would you like to do/learn about at the next event?

Worship for the Church Family Call to Worship Leader Come to Bethlehem and hear the good news.

People The Son of God is born!

Leader Come to the stable to receive a special Christmas present.

People The Son of Mary is born!

Leader Come to the manger for love, joy, hope and peace.

People Send out the birth announcements!

Leader Come meet the Christ Child who is the Savior for the whole world.

People Hang the streamers and put balloons on the mailbox! It’s Jesus’ birthday!

Leader Come to the never-ending celebration. Sing and Rejoice.

People Turn on the Christmas music and light the birthday candles because Jesus the newborn king is born! Sing: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” or “O Come, All Ye Faithful” The Adoration of our Lord (Psalm 95) Leader Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

Men and Boys Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods.

Women and Girls He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too.

Grandparents Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker, for he is our God.

All We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. Sing: “Joy to the World”

http://wellsprings.org.uk/liturgies/gift_of_light.htm © 2005 Wellspring

Jesus, the Gift of Light Opening Responses

Reader Jesus walked among His people among people living in darkness.

All The people who walk in darkness shall see a great light.

Reader Jesus saw a hidden light in Peter – in Andrew – in James and they saw the light in Him.

All The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who walked in the shadow of death on them God’s light has shone.

Reader Jesus sees that light in us and says, "Come, follow Me!"

All We are people who have seen the light. On us, God’s light has shone. We have accepted the light of Christ and in accepting have been given the right to be called children of God. Scripture Readings

Isaiah 9: 2-6; John 1: 1-15; John 8: 12; 1 Peter 2: 9-10 Closing Responses

Reader The Lord is our light – our song – our salvation.

All May we live always in His light - allowing His song to sing in our hearts and trusting in His promise of salvation.

Reader The Lord is a lamp to our feet.

All May we have confidence as we follow the paths upon which He leads us - fearing to darkness for He is with us.

Reader Jesus is the Light of the World.

All May the light of His love shine out through us so that our lives bear witness to the radiant love of God.

Reader And may God continue to bless our journey through Advent and Christmastime.

All The Father - the Son - and the Holy Spirit.

Reader And until we meet again.

All May God hold us in the palm of His hand. Amen.

http://childrensbibleonline.com/Jesus_Is_Born_at_Bethlehem.htm

The Christmas Story

Introduction Many years ago in Galilee, in a town called Nazareth, there lived a young woman named Mary. She was about to be married. During those days, it was customary for girls to be promised to be given away as young brides as soon as they were about twelve years old. This custom was called an engagement. The girl's parents had a lot to do with these decisions, not like today where the man and woman decide if they want to get married. An arranged engagement by the parents is not a practice in our culture today, but that was not the only unusual thing about Mary's engagement. She also had a strange visitor just before she was married. This visitor gave her news that was not only surprising, but it turned out to be Good News for all ages to come. Our story today is found in Luke chapter 1. Listen and watch closely to the Christmas story.

Pause as the angel enters and the story begins The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a young woman named Mary in Nazareth, a town of Galilee. She was to be married to a man named Joseph of the family of David. When he came to her, the angel said "Hail, highly honored one! God is with you!"

She was startled by his words and wondered what such a greeting might mean. But the angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary, for you have found favor with God. You will have a son and will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High."

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, for I am not yet married.” The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will cover you; therefore your child will be called holy, the Son of God.” Mary said, "I am God's servant. May it be with me as you say.” Then the angel left her.

An angel came to Joseph too! An angel came to him in a dream and told him that Mary would have God’s Son and they should name him Jesus. When Joseph awoke from his dream, he did what the angel of the Lord told him to do. He became Mary’s husband and the earthly father of Jesus.

In those days, the Emperor Augustus commanded that everyone should be registered. So all went to be registered, each to his own town. Joseph, because he was of the family of David, went to be registered with Mary, his wife, from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea where David was born. While they were there Mary's first son was born. And she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In that country there were shepherds living in the fields and keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel from God stood by them and a heavenly light shone around them, and they were frightened. But the angel said to them: “Fear not for behold I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people. For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior is born. He is God’s Special Son. This will be a sign to guide you: You will find a baby in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.”

Then suddenly there was with the angel a great number of the heavenly ones singing praise to God and saying “Glory to God on high. And on earth peace, good-will among men."

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem to see this which God has made known to us.” So they went quickly and found Mary and Joseph; and the baby was lying in a manger.

When they had seen him, they made known what had been told them about this child. All who heard the words of the shepherds wondered, but Mary kept these things to herself and often thought about them. And the shepherds returned, thanking and praising God for what they had heard and seen, as it had been foretold.

Retelling the Christmas Story

In the Bag: A Way of Retelling the Christmas Story

Divide the class into groups of five or six persons each. Give each group a bag with “costume makings” in it (such as towels, colorful pieces of material, scarves, and strips for waist-ties). Ask each group to create a story-playlet using the materials in the bag for costumes. The stories should announce Jesus’ birth and all will be shared with the rest of the class at a later time.

Gifts and Decorations Center

Christmas Windows for Home or Classrooms Using ordinary white paper, participants draw the outline of a Christmas picture or design with a black felt marker on both sides of the paper. Spread vegetable or mineral oil over the paper, using a small piece of cotton. When the oil has soaked into the paper, wipe off the excess until the paper is dry. Color the figures with crayons on both sides of the paper. Advent Paper Chains Provide pre-cut strips of colored paper, i.e., construction, magazine pages, wallpaper, gift-wrapping. Form each strip into a circle and paste or tape the ends together. After the first circle, add each new strip inside the previous circle before fastening. Tree Decorations Cut paper circles, stars and diamonds to decorate with glitter, sequins and/or gummed stars. With a needle, string cutouts on thread or yarn for hanging. Feelings and Thoughts Provide felt-tipped markers, crayons and/or paint and paper for expressing ideas and feelings about Christmas or about one of the stories they have just heard. Paper Bells (as an introduction to the Music Center) Provide paper-mache-type egg cartons. Cut out the cup shapes and trim the edges for the bells. Paint them with tempera paint or cover them with foil. Punch a small hole in the top of each bell. Force a piece of yarn with a knot on one end through the punched hole. Tie several bells together.

By Joan Lilja - a Christian educator in Austin, Minnesota.

Music Center

Christmas Carols Sing Christmas songs along with a record or tape, accompanied by the bells and/or rhythm sticks. Meditation with Music Play taped Christmas music without words while participants close their eyes, place their feet on the floor, their hands in their laps and take deep breaths which they slowly release three times. Enjoy the darkness and the music. Guided Imagery The teacher says: “You are in a room surrounded by the gifts you are giving to others. Think of each gift and the one to whom you are giving that gift. Think of their happiness and bless them in your thoughts. Now suddenly you find yourself in the stable in Bethlehem. It is night and dark. The stars are shining. There is one very bright star shining over the stable by which you can see. The stable is filled with silence. You are alone except for three people: a father, a carpenter with rough hands, a gray beard, and twinkling, smiling eyes; a mother, a young woman holding her newborn baby in her arms and humming softly; and the baby, the firstborn, an infant boy. You feel God’s presence and love in the stable. You remember that it is Christmas. You feel filled with and surrounded by love, as you study the scene in silence and wonder. Now suddenly you are back in our church. God is still with you. You ask God for the one non-material gift you desire more than any other this Christmas. Think about the One who is able to give you your heart’s desire. When you have thanked the Giver and are ready, return to this room and open your eyes.” Favorite Christmas Songs Sing together suggested Christmas favorites of the participants.

Two Christmas Hymns Suggest Creative Teaching Activities

For most Christians, hymns are an indispensable part of the celebration of Christ’s birth. But sometimes, because Christmas hymns are played and sung repeatedly in various settings, people miss their significance. Here are some activities to highlight important phrases from some of the classic Christmas hymns. If you spend some time during Advent focusing on selected hymns, they will add to your students’ understanding of the Nativity season.

We Three Kings Tray Favors Value

• This activity illustrates the meaning of the second line of stanza five: “Alleluia, alleluia! peals through the earth and skies.” Of course, bells should peal the message, especially at Christmas. Learning will occur as your students make these tray favors, and they can be sent to a hospital or nursing home.

What Learners Do

• Make hospital or nursing home tray favors. Getting Ready

• Make a sample. • Cut a three-inch-high bell from a colorful Christmas card. Use a punch to make a hole ¼ inch from the top

of the bell. • Fold a green file card (5” x 8”) in half so it stands 4” x 5”. Make a small hole (with the ends of pointed

scissors) ½” from the fold. • Put a paper fastener through the hole in the bell and the hole in the card. Spread the fastener ends on the

underside so the bell can swing from side to side. • Write these words around the bell: “Alleluia, alleluia! peals through the earth and skies.”

Teaching Possibilities

• In addition to giving instructions, adults who sit with the learners as they work can guide the conversation. Try to emphasize both the meaning of the printed words and the joy of providing tray favors for people who are in a hospital or a nursing home at Christmas.

O Come, All Ye Faithful Enact the Hymn Value

• A genuine sense of worship can be gained when people really enter into the Lord’s presence to adore Him. If students actually do what the hymn suggests, they may be more likely to participate wholeheartedly during other times of corporate worship.

What Learners Do

• Participate in worship, as the hymn suggests.

By Jean Lersch - on staff at Brethren House Ministries, St. Petersburg, Florida

Getting Ready • Plan to have the students process from the back of the room to a worship center where there is a Nativity

scene, perhaps candles, and a simple Christmas arrangement. Be sure to have the space necessary for all to come forward and kneel in front of the manger.

• Prepare a large, illustrated hymn - or print the words on a chart large enough to be read from a distance. • Divide your class into three groups.

Teaching Possibilities

• Explain to the students that they will act out what the hymn says. They will “come to adore Jesus.” Make sure they understand some of the difficult words, and that they know why the first stanza mentions Bethlehem. Then, as they sing the first stanza, “joyfully and triumphantly,” the first group will come to the front of the room. When you get to the refrain, demonstrate the following:

• On the first “O come, let us adore Him,” stand and look at the baby Jesus in the manger. The second time you sing the phrase, bow your head and fold your hands. The third time, kneel. The first group should then stand up and face the back of the room where the second group will begin processing.

• The second group, the “choirs of angels,” also “singing in exultation,” will then process to the front and repeat the procedure with the first group as they all sing the refrain together. Be sure this second group knows they represent the “citizens of heaven.”

• Then the third group can process as the first and second groups watch. They can all join in the refrain as they bow and kneel - to demonstrate together “adoring the Lord.”

• Enacting this hymn is a good way to learn what the words mean. You can comment between verses on the significance of the phrases of the hymn. Keep the comments short, however, as the doing is what will keep the attention of the singers.

Manger Scene Nook Value

• Getting away from all the glitter and noise in order to focus on the manger scene can be a “holy” experience. So many times, children see the crèche alongside all that is commercial about Christmas and they miss the feelings of awe. “O come, let us adore Him,” the hymn reminds us. Create a place where your students can do that.

What Learners Do

• Enter a special, private place to give their attention to the manger scene. Getting Ready

• Find a space that is, or can be made, private - perhaps a closet, an alcove, a small room or part of a room curtained off. Put a small table in the space. Make it cozy by hanging drapes or cloth over a cardboard backdrop and the table. The backdrop can be freestanding (folded panels of a large carton or dining table pads) on or behind the table.

• On the table, set up a simple manger scene. • In front of the table, make a place to kneel. Use pillows or a pad. • On the door or curtain where the students enter, hang a sign that announces this: “O come, let us adore

Him, Christ the Lord.” Teaching Possibilities

• Encourage the children, one or two at a time, to enter the private place in silence. Read the sign aloud before they enter. By your tone of voice, help them sense the atmosphere of worship and awe you’ve created. Occasionally, you yourself can enter with a few pupils. Kneel and gaze at the figures. You may want to talk quietly about the scene and all it represents. Listen to what the students say about it, and add a few comments yourself.

Setting for a Christmas Pageant:

Church Family Night

How many churches have beautiful costumes for a Christmas pageant but fail to use them because of all the hurry of the season that seems to leave no time for planning and rehearsing? Here’s an idea … get out your costumes and have a pageant at a family night supper. As people come in for the supper, give them either a red or a green nametag in the shape of a bell. All the members of the pageant cast, who should be contacted well ahead of time, should be given a blue star. Those with red-bell tags are the singing choir and those with green-bell tags are the speaking choir. The narration for the pageant is accomplished by the two choirs and a special narrator. After your meal, give the cast 20 minutes to get into their costumes. During this time, have your choirs practice their parts (in the dressing rooms, have coaches available to help with costuming and spelling out the cues for each member’s role in the pageant). When everyone is ready, reassemble in the fellowship hall and carry on with the pageant. The simple outline for the pageant follows. Piano Playing “O Come All Ye Faithful,” as people come back silently to the fellowship hall and take their places. Singing Choir by the piano. Speaking choir off to the other side. All arranged in a semi-circle. Narrator Christmas begins with the book of Genesis: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth . . . and God saw everything that He made, and behold it was very good.” Then sin came into man’s perfect, beautiful world to mar it. Humankind disobeyed God, and fellowship with God was broken. But God planned a gift for all mankind - a way to bring His children back to Him. This way was Christmas. God decided to send His Son into the world, and He chose the people of Israel to prepare an earthly home for Him. “There shall come a star out of Jacob,” He said, “and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” God told His people, through the prophet Isaiah, about the Savior who was coming. Speaking Choir (Isaiah 9:6-7) “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Narrator Where was this child to be born? Through a man named Micah, God gave the answer. Speaking Choir (Micah 5:2) “Bethlehem, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel.” Narrator God chose a young girl named Mary, who lived in the town of Nazareth in Galilee to be the mother of His son. Mary was betrothed to a man named Joseph of the house of David. (Enter Mary) God sent His angel, Gabriel, to tell Mary that she has been chosen. (Enter Gabriel; stand by Mary) And the angel said to her: Speaking Choir - Men (Luke 1:30) “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus . . . and of His Kingdom there will be no end.” Narrator Mary said to the angel: Speaking Choir - Women (Luke 1:38) “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.”

By Sue Ruddock - director of Christian education at Central Presbyterian Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Narrator (Luke 2:1-7) “At that time Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire . . . Everyone then went to register himself, each to his own home town. Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea . . . He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths, and laid him in a manger. There was no room for them to stay at the inn.” (Enter Mary and Joseph with baby. Have manger put in place.) Singing Choir “Silent Night” (one stanza) Narrator (Luke 2:8) “There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid; but the angel said to them: Speaking Choir - Men ‘Don’t be afraid, I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day, in David’s town, your Savior was born - Christ the Lord. And this is what will prove it to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” Children Sing “Away in a Manger” Narrator Suddenly a host of angels appeared, singing: Singing Choir “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” (one stanza) Narrator The shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has happened, which the Lord has told us.” (Enter three shepherds. Stand by Mary.) So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph - and the baby lying in the manger. Singing Choir “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (one stanza) Narrator (Matthew 2:1) “Some men who studied the stars came from the East to Jerusalem and asked: Speaking Choir ‘Where is the baby born to be the King of the Jews? We saw his star and we have come to worship Him.’” Singing Choir “We Three Kings of Orient Are” (one stanza) (Wise Men stand around manger with shepherds.) Narrator They saw the child with his Mother Mary, and knelt down and worshipped Him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and presented them to him. Today we can come to the Christ Child just as truly as the shepherds and the Wise Men did. God will give us that joyous fellowship with Him - lost so long ago. This is the Christmas gift that God gives to you and to me and to everyone on earth. (Gifts to be received.) Let us stand to sing, “Joy to the World!” (Dedication of gifts.) (Benediction.)

By Margaret Brownley - coordinator of special projects for the Christian education department of Simi Valley (California) Presbyterian Church.

Las Posadas “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” Luke 2:1-5 While reading these familiar words and trying to come up with a different way to bring them to life, we decided to forego the usual Christmas program that our church had presented each year. We chose, instead, to borrow one of the lovely customs from our Southern neighbors, las posadas. We were thus able to involve every age group from youngest child to oldest grandparent. “Posadas” means inn or lodging in Spanish. Las posadas is a centuries-old celebration that occurs nine consecutive days immediately preceding Christmas. It can be traced back to St. Loyola in the 1500’s, as a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s long-ago search for lodgings. The custom was eventually introduced to the Indians in Mexico by Spanish missionaries. Our own version took place on a Sunday evening about two weeks prior to Christmas. A child dressed as an angel led the procession, followed by a boy and a girl dressed as Mary and Joseph, with the youngest in the group carrying “Baby Jesus.” Everyone else fell into line, carrying flashlights and musical instruments. Since “las posadas” is a festive occasion, the more singing and noise, the better. After walking slowly around the church grounds, we eventually arrived at a closed door, behind which an “inn-keeper” was stationed. It was clearly marked by a large sign that read, “Shepherd’s Inn.” Knocking, we wearily called out, “We need lodgings. My wife is tired.” But the innkeeper refused us, saying, “Go away. There is no room.” We then continued our search, trying inn after inn. We used various doors around the church. Each “inn” had been given a name and innkeepers were selected and briefed ahead of time. Finally, one innkeeper and his wife took pity on us and sent us around to the stable. This was a darkened fellowship hall. Silently, we filled in and were asked to turn off our lights. A tape recording of barnyard animals adds to the occasion, as does hay strewn about the floor. After a moment or two of complete silence, one of the men read: “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6-7 Immediately, following these words, the lights went on and a musician started playing. With our eyes on the baby Jesus in the manger before us, we joined in song: Joy to the world! The Lord has come! The rest of the evening was spent singing carols, decorating the tree and just enjoying friends and family.

By Joan Lilja - a Christian educator in Austin, Minnesota.

Echo Pantomime: Jesus is Born

Joseph and Mary went on a lo-o-o-ng trip. (walk in place) They went to Bethlehem, (walk in place) to be counted in a census. (stop walking) There was no room in the inn. (shake head “no”) So they stayed in a stable. That night, when all was quiet, (very soft voice) a baby boy was born to Mary. (cradle arms) Mary rocked the baby, (rock side to side, arms cradled) as she sang a lullaby. (whisper) Out in the field were shepherds. They watched over their sheep. An angel came to them. (arms partially raised as for wings) There was a bright light. (shelter eyes) The shepherds were afraid. (expression of fear) The angel said: Do not be afraid! (arms stretched forward) Be happy! (smile, joyful voice) Today Jesus is born in Bethlehem. (a little louder) He is the Lord. (loudly) Go and look for him. (point yonder) He is lying in a manger. (softer) Suddenly, many angels sang: Glory to God in the highest. (loud) Peace on earth. (softer) Good will to all people. (moderate) The angels were gone. (look all around) The shepherds went to Bethlehem (start walking in place) to look for Jesus. (walk in place) They walked fast. (increase pace) They found Mary, (stop walking) and Joseph, and the child in the stable. They were happy to see the baby. (joyfully)

Gee, Martha Bettis. Things to Make & Do for Advent & Christmas. Bridge Resources. Kentucky, 1997.

Creches and Manger Scenes

Materials Needed: ~ 12-inch square pieces of brown corrugated cardboard or brown wrapping paper ~ Small straight twigs or sticks (6-8 per picture) ~ White glue ~ Crayons or markers ~ Scissors ~ Bits of straw (optional) ~ Ruler What You Do: 1. In advance, prepare the stable shapes. Mark the center of each twelve-inch square, then measure four inches down each side. Make a straight line from the center point to the points on each side. Cut to make a stable-shaped piece. 2. Invite children to draw a picture of Mary, Joseph and Jesus with crayons or markers. 3. With white glue, let them glue sticks on the sides and roof of the stable. 4. If they like, they can glue bits of straw to the floor of the stable. 5. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly before moving the pictures.

Gee, Martha Bettis. Things to Make & Do for Advent & Christmas. Bridge Resources. Kentucky, 1997.

Stars and Other Symbols of Light

Light is a powerful symbol of Epiphany. It represents God’s manifestation as Jesus, the Light of the World. The star that led the Wise Men to the child Jesus is the central image of Epiphany.

Materials Needed: ~ Star frames cut from 8 ½” x 11” construction paper (see pattern on back) ~ Piece of clear self-adhesive shelf liner, 11” x 17” ~ Scraps of used shiny or foil Christmas wrapping paper, torn into small pieces What You Do: 1. In advance, tape a piece of shelf liner, sticky side out, to the table in front of where each child will work. Carefully peel the backing from half of the length of the liner. Adhere the star frame over the liner. 2. Let the children fill up the inside of the frame with small pieces of wrapping paper and foil. 3. When the inside is completely filled, carefully peel the backing from the other half and fold over to seal.

Davidson, Robert. Creative Ideas for Advent. Educational Ministries, Inc. California, 1980.

Felt Stained Glass

Materials Needed: ~ Scraps of colored felt ~ Black felt for background ~ Scissors ~ White glue Scraps of colored felt can become a beautiful stained glass banner. Use a background of black felt. Choose a simple subject such as the cross, a candle, bells, etc. Glue on scraps of colored felt to depict the central subject, and then fill in the background. Remember to leave space between the pieces so that the black shows through. Suggestions for Use: ~ Decorations for classroom, sanctuary, family home, patients’ doors, etc. ~ Black can be applied to a larger colored background to make a larger banner. Several can be grouped together. ~ It can be glued to a toilet paper roll, hung with a pipe cleaner to make a hanging ornament.

Gee, Martha Bettis. Things to Make & Do for Advent & Christmas. Bridge Resources. Kentucky, 1997.

Collage Banners

Materials Needed: ~ Sheet of butcher paper (cut to fit the space in which it will be displayed) ~ Markers ~ Red, green, gold and silver paper scraps (construction paper, gift wrap, wallpaper samples, etc.) ~ White glue ~ Pencil What You Do: 1. In advance, use a pencil to draw large outline letters of a Christmas word like Joy or Alleluia on the butcher paper. Let the word completely fill the space. Go over the pencil with a marker. 2. Tell the children to tear the paper into small pieces and glue it onto the outlined letters, covering them completely. Encourage them to combine colors and textures of paper. 3. When the glue is dry, display the banner.

Frost, Marie. Our Christmas Handbook, Volume 4. Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1984.

Christmas Card Holder

Materials Needed: ~ Two 8” paper plates ~ Piece of heavy cardboard 3” x 8” ~ Paintbrush ~ White glue ~ Small pieces of red and green construction paper ~ Shellac What You Do: 1. Fold paper plates in half. 2. Glue folded edges of plates to 8” edges of cardboard. 3. Glue pieces of paper to cover entire letter holder. 4. When dry, brush on shellac.

Advent Alphabet Activity

To use this alphabet activity, copy template on green and/or red paper, cut the strips, staple, tape or glue them together to make a paper chain. Hang on your tree or around the house. Enjoy the activities as you prepare for Christmas.

A is for Angel: Read the Christmas story in Luke 1:26-33, 2:1-20. Count how many times angels appear. What does this tell you about Jesus’ birth?

B is for Bethlehem: Read 1 Samuel 17:12-15. What Old Testament hero was born in Bethlehem? He is an ancestor Jesus!

C is for Carol: Caroling is a custom from medieval times of singing and dancing around the Christmas tree.

D is for Donkey: Donkeys, lambs and cows were animals close to Jesus at the time of his birth.

E is for Evergreen: Evergreen trees are always green and represent Christ’s gift of eternal life. We use them for wreaths, garlands, and Christmas trees.

F is for Family and Friends: Christmas is a time to enjoy family and friends. Think of ways you can tell your friends and family that you are thankful for them.

G is for Gift: The Wise Men brought special gifts for a King: Baby Jesus. Can you think of the best gift of all that was given to us at Christmas?

H is for Holy: Holy is a shrub with spiny leaves and red berries. Early French and English families hung holly over their doors to symbolize a home in which Christ’s birth is celebrated.

I is for Inn: In Jesus’ time, an Inn was like a motel. In Bethlehem there was no room at the Inn for Mary and Joseph so they wrapped Jesus in clothes and placed him in a manger. (Luke 2:6-7)

J is for Joseph: Joseph was a quiet person during the Christmas story. Try to imagine how Joseph felt when the Inn was full; when Jesus was born; when the shepherds appeared.

K is for King: Jesus came as a baby, but the Wise Men knew that Jesus was the King. Read why they called him the King in Matthew 2:2.

L is for Light: Candles and lights remind us that Jesus is the light of the world.

M is for Messiah: Jesus is called the Messiah, which means the “One chosen by God.”

N is for Night: Jesus was born at night. On a clear night, go outside and look at the beautiful stars in the sky.

O is for the One and Only: Jesus was God’s One and Only Son. John 3:16 says "God loved the world so much that he gave his One and Only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.”

P is for Purple: Purple is the color for “getting ready” used during Advent. Purple reminds us of the coming of the royal King, Jesus Christ, and it also refers to repentance.

Q is for Quiet: Jesus was born quietly in the middle of the night. We can be quiet too as we think about that special night.

R is for Ready: Advent is a special time to get ready for Jesus’ birth. How are you getting ready for Christmas Day when you will celebrate Jesus’ birthday?

S is for Shepherds: Shepherds are people who tend sheep. They heard about Jesus from the angels and then came to the manger bed to honor the baby Jesus.

T is for Three Gifts: Three kings brought three gifts of gold (a precious metal for a king), frankincense (a resin from a tree used as incense), and myrrh (a resin from a shrub used to make perfume).

U is for Unusual: Lots of unusual things happened when Jesus was born. Angels, Shepherds, a bright and shiny Star, Kings, gifts….read about it in Luke 2.

V is for Vision: Visions are special dreams. Joseph had several visions that helped protect Baby Jesus. Read about them in Matthew 2:13-15.

W is for Wreath: A wreath is a ring decorated with greenery. The circle symbolizes God’s everlasting love for God’s creation.

X is for Christ: In Greek, the language in which the New Testament was first written, the first letter for Christ looks like an X. When you see Xmas, people are really saying Christ’s Day.

Y is for You: You are special. Enjoy celebrating Jesus’ birthday and continue to learn more about Jesus’ love for you and your love for Jesus.

Z is for Z: Jesus is described as both the beginning and the end of everything. Jesus is everything from A to Z. Merry Christmas!