PLANNING A NON-EUCHARISTIC LITURGY Preparation Date: 14 December (As close as possible to the last day of school) Place: School hall Feast: Feast of the Nativity Time: 9.00am Focus: The True Meaning of Christmas Group: Year 6, teachers, families and community members Required Props (Cross, candles, symbol etc.): Gold cloth White cloth Bible Candle Props for Christmas Gift by Mark Young - Decorated Christmas tree - Rocking chair - Gifts - Rug - Nativity figurines - Doll (symbolic of infant Jesus) Music for hymns (O Come, All Ye Faithful and O Little Town of Bethlehem) Manger or crib How will symbols be displayed/used? (What specific action?): Crib or manger will be placed on the altar and at the end of the liturgy the baby Jesus will be placed in it. Christmas tree will be displayed next to the altar and used in the short play Christmas Gift Gather (Introductory Rites) Welcome: Teacher: Today is the last day of the school year and I m sure most of your own preparations for Christmas have already begun. But today I would like us to all think about the real meaning of Christmas and remember that Christmas is a celebration and commemoration of the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Today we remember and celebrate His glorious birth and keep the Holy Family in the forefront of our minds. Gathering Hymn: (Three students lead the procession taking the white and gold cloths, candle, manger or crib and Bible and place them on the altar.) O Come, All Ye Faithful 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; EDRE102 Religious Education 2 1
Refrain: O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal, Lo, he shuns not the Virgin s womb; Son of the Father, begotten not created; Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Gloria to God, all glory in the highest; See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle, Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze; We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps; Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger, We would embrace thee with love and awe. Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly? Yea, Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; Opening Prayer: Teacher: Let us pray (all present make the sign of the cross) All: In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen Student: Holy God, you are good and loving. Approaching this very special time of year, Christmas, we pray that you will help all of us to truly see and understand the true meaning of Christmas by giving the meaningful gifts of our time, love and respect rather than presents that can be unwrapped on Christmas morning. We ask this so that we may become more like Jesus, your Son. We make these prayers in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. All: Amen Listen (Liturgy of the Word) Reading: (Luke LK 2: 1-20) Student 1: A reading from the Gospel according to Luke... In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment, when Quirinius was EDRE102 Religious Education 2 2
governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. Student 2: While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. Student 3: The angel of the Lord said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a saviour has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace to those on whom his favour rests. Student 4: When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. Student 5: All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for they had heard and seen just as it had been told to them. Action: (Students place props for the short play Christmas Gift by Mark Young on the stage in front of the altar) Share, Reflect, Respond Christmas Gift by Mark Young performed by students (See p. 6 for script) Reflection: Student 6: This Christmas I am going to honour Jesus memory by being nice and giving to all members of my family and this will be my gift to them, rather than presents under the Christmas tree. Student 7: This Christmas I am going to volunteer, with my parents, at the local homeless shelter and serve Christmas lunch to all who are there. EDRE102 Religious Education 2 3
Student 8: This Christmas I am going to ask my elderly neighbour, Mrs Jones, if she has any plans for Christmas lunch and if she doesn t I m going to invite her to share a Christmas meal with me and my family. Student 9: This Christmas I am going to honour the Holy Family by reminding my friends, family and community about the real meaning of Christmas. Student 10: This Christmas I am going to donate 3 of the Christmas presents I received to a child who didn t get anything. Responsorial Psalm: Response: All the ends of the Earth have seen the saving power of God Student 11: Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, His holy arm. All: All the ends of the Earth have seen the saving power of God Student 12: The LORD has made his salvation known; in the sight of the nations He has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All: All the ends of the Earth have seen the saving power of God Student 13: All the ends of the Earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. All: All the ends of the Earth have seen the saving power of God Student 14: Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the LORD. All: All the ends of the Earth have seen the saving power of God Go & Tell (Concluding Rites) Dismissal: Teacher: As we go now into our day we remember that Christmas is not about the receiving of presents but rather about being with our families and remembering the first Christmas and all that it represents and means. We go with joy, looking forward to Christmas. Let us offer each other a sign of peace. (Students offer the sign of peace to one another) Concluding Hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem by Kim Carnes O little town of Bethlehem EDRE102 Religious Education 2 4
How still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight For Christ is born of Mary And gathered all above While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth And praises sing to God the King And Peace to men on Earth How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may his His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him still, The dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem Descend to us, we pray Cast out our sin and enter in Be born to us today We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell O come to us, abide with us Our Lord Emmanuel. (Teacher places baby in manger or crib) EDRE102 Religious Education 2 5
Christmas Gift By Mark Young Summary A simple telling of the Christmas story, using pieces from a nativity scene. Characters Narrator - Teacher First Child Student Fifteen Second Child Student Sixteen Third Child Student Seventeen Lead Singer Student Eighteen Singers as needed Script (The story begins with the CHILDREN, one boy and two girls, seated around a rocking chair occupied by the, who is either the grandfather or the grandmother. The is holding a brightly decorated box which is open at the top. The contents of the box are wrapped presents for the CHILDREN. The contents of the presents are the pieces of a Nativity Scene. The stable is not wrapped in the box and should be taken out by the before the gifts are given to the children.) (The setting should resemble a living room of the home of the. It should contain a decorated Christmas tree with a Bible and a few presents under it, a rocking chair, a small table and perhaps an oval woven rug for the children to sit on.) It is a tradition in our family that one special gift may be opened on the night before Christmas. And in this box I have gifts for each of you. (The CHILDREN react with quiet excitement of receiving the gifts.) But, first let me take out this odd little shed. ( takes out the shed and sets it on a small table.) What does this little building look like to you? It looks like a stable. What is it for? It is a place for cows and sheep to eat and sleep. EDRE102 Religious Education 2 6
This is a very special stable and I will tell you why, but we must open the first gift. ( gives the first gift to the to open. The gift should contain the figures of Mary and Joseph.) What is it? It is a figure of a woman and a man. They look very happy. (Places them in the stable.) Who are they? Let me tell you a little about these two people. Anyone have a Bible handy? (The CHILDREN pass the Bible which is under the tree to the who reads Luke 1:21-32.) (After the songs "Mary Did You Know" and "A Strange Way to Save the World") Is it my turn to open a present...please? I was just about to ask if you would like to open one. ( hands the SECOND CHILD a gift containing figures of cows, sheep and perhaps a donkey.) What is it? Figures of cows, sheep and a donkey. This must be their home. (Places them around the stable.) Does the stable have a manger? What does the Bible say about these animals and their manger? Was this their home? Let me see what it says. ( reads from Luke 2: 1-7.) EDRE102 Religious Education 2 7
(After the song, "Who is This in Our House?" and "It Came upon a Midnight Clear," speaks to CHILD THREE) Now it is your turn to open a present. ( gives the a present containing figures of Shepherds.) There are figures of Shepherds. (Places them around the stable.) Do the sheep belong to the shepherds? Let's continue reading and see what the scriptures say about shepherds. ( reads from Luke 2:8-20.) (After the songs "The First Noel" and "Angels We Have Heard on High") Well, I have more gifts to open. What shall we do with them? It is better to give than receive. And all of us have received. Let's find someone who hasn't gotten anything yet. Good idea. Go and find someone out there. (Indicates in the direction of the congregation.) And give this gift to someone who looks very wise. ( hands the present containing the figures of the three wise men to the. The CHILDREN pick out someone from the congregation and give them the gift. The person who is selected must be brought to the small table and open their gift. After the gift, is open the says.) What is it? EDRE102 Religious Education 2 8
THE WISE LOOKING PERSON Wise men. (To WISE LOOKING PERSON) Place them on the nativity table. (The children may help the WISE LOOKING PERSON arrange the wise men on the table.) (After Jungle Jam, "We Three Kings" and Bethlehem's Treasure Medley) I still have one more gift to open. We'll take care of it. (The CHILDREN go out into the congregation, find a young girl and bring her to the front.) Here is the last gift for you to open. ( hands the girl a gift containing a cross on a manger. After she opens it, says.) What is it? It is the best gift of all. It is a manger with a cross laying in it. ( takes the girl with the gift to the table and places it in the center of the stable.) Does this gift belong to all of us? His name is Jesus which means "God Saves," because he will save his people from their sins. They will call him Emmanuel which is Hebrew for "God is with us." And, yes, this gift belongs to all of us. ( reads Luke 2:21-28.) EDRE102 Religious Education 2 9