Home is at the heart of Christmas. A special Christmas service

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1 Home is at the heart of Christmas A special Christmas service

Home is at the heart of Christmas Service leaders can be very busy in the lead up to Christmas, so this service has been designed to be easy to organise.

2 Home is at the heart of Christmas Service leaders can be very busy in the lead up to Christmas, so this service has been designed to be easy to organise. This service reminds us that at Christmas, we come together as a family to celebrate the birth of our saviour Jesus Christ. Many of us travel far to be at home with loved-ones for the festive season. However, over 1.6 million children will be spending this Christmas stuck in temporary houses, bed and breakfasts, homeless hostels and run-down accommodation. Many will be without a permanent home to call their own. The thought of not having somewhere safe, secure and warm to spend Christmas is appalling. The good news is that Shelter works across England and Scotland to help thousands of families every year to find and keep a home in a place where they can thrive. We are going to celebrate this and worship Jesus, whose own family found themselves without anywhere to stay in the middle of winter. The service can be used in two ways. The first approach, if you exclude the two activities, is more traditional, with prayers and carols. The alternative is to include the two simple activities (which are designed to involve minimal rehearsals, props or fuss) that remind the congregation that people so often get caught up with the trappings of Christmas, they forget there are others who will be spending Christmas without a place to call home. Adapt the material any way you like. The choice is yours! Reverend Rod Corke Shelter supporter at St Mary Magdalene Church, Taunton 2

3 Welcome A warm welcome to you all. Our service today focuses on those who find themselves without a suitable home. Joseph and a pregnant Mary arrived at Bethlehem and could find nowhere to stay. Finally, Jesus, the Son of God, was born not in a palace or a cosy family room, but a smelly stable with the animals. Finding yourself without adequate shelter is something that can happen to anyone. Carol O Come All Ye Faithful Opening prayer Let us worship Jesus, the light of the world. In Bethlehem town, from David s Line. All: Jesus our saviour come. God made man, born as a baby. All: Jesus our saviour come. Promised of old, here with us now. All: Jesus our saviour come. Homeless and poor, but in God s care. All: Jesus our saviour come. Lord, help us draw close to you today. May we feel your presence with us as we worship together. All: Amen Reading Isaiah 9: Activity one The leader talks about Christmas presents and wrapping them and the busyness of Christmas. S/he demonstrates with colourful paper and ribbons (it doesn t matter if you find this task hard or easy don t rush it). Have some presents already displayed. A door bell sounds the leader mimes the door opening and there stands someone who is exhausted and overloaded with Christmas shopping. This person sits down and explains to the leader what s/he has bought and for whom. This should be ad-libbed and done as amusingly as possible. A Christmas service Home is at the heart of Christmas 3

4 A door knocker sounds and on the other side of the worship area people dressed as Mary and Joseph make a passionate plea for accommodation. The leader explains s/he is too busy with present wrapping but if they are that desperate they could use the shed in the back garden. Prayers Lord Jesus, Bethlehem is still a troubled town. We pray for the gift of peace for the shepherds and poor people who live there. All: You are the light of the world, help us to draw close. Many leaders in this world think they are wise and mighty, we pray that all will bow their knees to you. All: You are the light of the world, help us to draw close. There are still mums and dads living in accommodation that s temporary, run-down or overcrowded. Babies born into hopeless situations. All: You are the light of the world, help us to draw close. Lord Jesus, you are the Light of the World. Help us to continue to draw close and find you in the darkness. All: Amen. And/or Lord Jesus Christ, laid in a manger, hear the cry of homeless people and refugees, and so move our wills by your Holy Spirit, that we may not rest content, until all have found a decent home and livelihood. For your name s sake. All: Amen. Carol Away in a Manger Activity two The leader returns to the Christmas wrapping. The door bell rings again, this time it s an older child with a shopping catalogue. The child says her/his parents have said s/he can have any presents s/he likes from the catalogue for Christmas. The problem is there are too many to choose from. 4

5 The child sits down and starts flicking through the catalogue excitedly. The door knocker sounds again. This time it is a young couple asking for help. They explain that they haven t got anywhere to live and they are sleeping in a car. They ask for a spare blanket because it s very cold. Carol A modern carol (it is worth ringing the local primary school to find out what the children would know). Talk Mary and Joseph return and put the baby in a manger at the front of the worship area. If the children have come in costume, they should form a nativity scene. Leader gives a brief talk about the problem of bad housing and that the young people who knocked on the door needed professional help through a charity like Shelter. The real reason for Christmas is that Jesus was God s present to us. Born in a stable, Jesus is a sign of hope to all who find themselves in darkness. Carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing Closing prayer Thank you for giving us Jesus who lights up our lives. Every day give us the joy of Mary, the vision of Isaiah, the song of the angels, the awe and excitement of the shepherds, and the humility of the wise men. May we lift our empty hands to you to fill us with joy of life. Send us out in your strength. All: Amen. Blessing The joy of the angels, the wonder of the shepherds and the peace of the Christ child, fill your hearts this Christmas time; and the blessing of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, be with you now and always. All: Amen. A Christmas service Home is at the heart of Christmas 5

Stephen s story 12-year-old Stephen was just settling into secondary school when his parents small business ran into financial trouble, which led to a build up of mortgage arrears.

6 Stephen s story 12-year-old Stephen was just settling into secondary school when his parents small business ran into financial trouble, which led to a build up of mortgage arrears. After their home was repossessed and they were left with nowhere else to go, the family took refuge at Stephen s grandparents, far from where they had previously lived and worked. Stephen s whole life was uprooted. He was forced to change schools mid-term, disrupting his education and the new friendships he was just starting to form. To make matters worse, lack of space at his grandparents house meant that his dad had to stay elsewhere over time, the pressure this placed on Stephen s parents marriage was too much and they split up. But the thing that really hurt Stephen was the devastating speed at which his world was turned upside down and his home was lost. RH To protect the identity of Shelter s clients, a model has been used in the photographs. Photos: It was such short notice. We were suddenly told to leave and had to get our stuff out of the house... then we had to leave loads of our toys and games. It was horrible grabbing what we could. Stephen, 12 6

7 You can write your own special prayer for those in housing need You can write your own special prayer for those in housing need You can write your own special prayer for those in housing need You can write your own special prayer for those in housing need Instructions: Cut out the shapes indicated by the dotted lines, photocopy or download as many as you need from shelter.org/churches The congregation can each write their own prayer. Then use them to decorate the Christmas tree or church hallway.

Until there s a home for everyone Shelter helps people fight for their rights, get back on their feet, and find and keep a home. We campaign for decent housing for all.

8 Until there s a home for everyone Shelter helps people fight for their rights, get back on their feet, and find and keep a home. We campaign for decent housing for all. By raising funds for Shelter, your congregation can help us give advice and support over the Christmas period to local people in desperate housing need. Thank you for your support. shelter.org.uk/churches Shelter 88 Old Street London EC1V 9HU Scotiabank House 6 South Charlotte Street Edinburgh EH2 4AW Registered charity in England and Wales (263710) and in Scotland (SC002327)

A Crib Service for younger children.

A Crib Service for younger children. Duration: 40 minutes Welcome Welcome Everybody! It s Christmas Eve, the night when we remember the birth of Jesus. For the last few weeks we have been getting ready