Page 1 Christmas Day 25 December 2016 The Mission and Discipleship Council would like to thank ALTERnativity for their thoughts on Christmas Day. The material also includes a Christmas Day communion liturgy. Contents Introduction... 2 Isaiah 9: 2-7... 3 Psalm 96... 3 Titus 2: 11-14... 4 Luke 2: 1-20... 4 Sermon Ideas... 5 Time with Children... 6 Activities/Crafts for Messy Church and Children s Clubs... 7 Prayers... 8 Musical Suggestions... 15 Dialogues, other readings, dramas... 15 A Brief Christmas Day Communion Service... 16 Additional Resources...20
Page 2 Helping people prepare for reading the Bible in worship can make a real difference. Overcoming nerves, reading in ways suitable to the text, speaking clearly etc. You may wish to email these three links to the people reading Scripture on Sunday to support them in their involvement in worship: Managing your nerves; Creative readings; Worship at the Lectern Introduction The Starters for Sunday, Advent 2016, are provided by Trustees and Supporters of ALTERnativity whose focus is to develop resources around Just God, Simply Christmas". We explore issues around Christmas relating to injustice, inequality and exclusion, both locally and globally, and provide resources for individuals, churches and community groups, to help them explore these issues, through prayer, worship and action. Our latest resources reflect our concerns - which are also reflected in our suggestions for Advent and Christmas services in these Starters for Sunday. The first new resource is Loneliness who cares? Simply connecting at Christmas. - an adaptable resource pack of ideas and shared stories exploring loneliness, particularly at Christmas. It is currently being piloted in two Church of Scotland congregations. The second resource is a Family Box put together in collaboration with the team from Spill the Beans. It is modelled on our very successful Advent Star Boxes and contains ideas and activities for children and adults to enjoy each day throughout the period of Advent, again involving prayer and action. For further information on what we do please go to our website. Christmas Day theme: Just God Simply Christmas Many Scottish churches do not hold services on Christmas Day, unless, as happens this year, it falls on a Sunday. Where services are held, they are often Family Services where children bring a toy to show the congregation, or sometimes a Communion Service. In Starters for Sunday, ALTERnativity offers you a variety of resources which could be used in a range of services. The service could be a normal Sunday service, an All-Age or Family Service; it
Page 3 could include a Communion Service or be based on a congregational Nativity Play; it could be a time of quiet reflection or a mixture of some or all of the above! Christmas Day this year is on a Sunday, which offers an opportunity for us to plan worship and hospitality which deliberately includes people who might otherwise be alone on Christmas Day - and who would welcome company and a shared celebration. This could be seen as a natural expression of our praise and gratitude for God s amazingly generous gift and hospitality to all of us, and would reflect our theme: Just God Simply Christmas. Isaiah 9: 2-7 This passage is considered to be one of the best known of the Messianic prophecies which are thought by many to describe the coming of Jesus. The structure and language of these verses indicate to scholars that it is a complete poem in itself, and some relate it to specific events in the history of Israel, while others see it as an enthronement poem, recited at the coronation of a new king. As such it would detail the characteristics the people would welcome in their king. The characteristics of the coming Messiah, or the throne names of the new king, are interesting (see The Daily Study Bible, Isaiah volume 1): Wonderful Counsellor expresses the hope that he will have the political ability to govern well and wisely. Mighty God / Divine Warrior represents him as the supreme champion of the oppressed. Everlasting Father unfailing source of protection and love. Prince of Peace controller of the people s well-being or shalom, and prosperity. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts. the decisive action of God will accomplish all this. Psalm 96 This psalm is to be found also at 1 Chronicles 16:23-33 where the psalm is placed in the context of Temple worship. It has a missionary purpose as it states clearly that all people are to be reached with the Good News, so that eventually all may join in praising God. The psalm then tells us what
Page 4 we are to say in our praise! It may be worthwhile to read the psalm in different versions of the Bible including the paraphrase called The Message, where the dynamic force of the psalmist s praise is well set out especially in verses 7-13. Titus 2: 11-14 These few verses give a summary of what Jesus coming to a stable in Bethlehem means for us when looked at in the light of his second coming - wherever or whenever we meet him face to face. The passage takes us through the sheer glory of God s gracious gift of salvation for us, to the implications that has for how we live our daily lives. Christ has freed us from our past sins, from everything which comes between us and God, and freed us to live lives which are truly transformed in this world. Luke 2: 1-20 Censuses in the Roman Empire were taken periodically to see who could be taxed and who could be forced into military service. Judea was part of the province of Syria, and from ancient documents scholars know that censuses took place there every fourteen years. It is likely (given what happened elsewhere) that old tribal ancestries held good, and so Joseph, along with the other men of his tribe, had to return to the tribal headquarters Bethlehem. The journey was approximately 80 miles, and travellers took their own food. The inns provided fodder for the animals, and a common courtyard with a fire, on which they could cook. After a long journey which would have taken some time, Mary s baby was born probably in a common courtyard he was swaddled according to the custom of the day (partly to protect him from disease and dirt) and laid in a manger. This word means a place where animals feed so could have been a stable itself, or the feeding trough. It reminds us of the words Jesus himself spoke foxes have lairs... but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. The shepherds who came to see the new-born baby, were among the many people looked down on by orthodox good people of these days. This was because the nature of shepherding and how the shepherds lived, meant that the shepherds were unable to observe the strict hygiene regulations.
Page 5 Sermon Ideas Just God Simply Christmas 1. Talk about the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem 80 long miles; carrying own food; cooking over open fires with other travellers; no facilities except those offered by Inns open courtyards with fires, and animal stalls opening from the courtyard. Mary giving birth away from her family and women folk. Difficult to imagine a more stripped down Christmas. Yet there that first Christmas were the people into whose care was given the Son of God, and they fulfilled God s trust in them. The first Christmas was very, very simple. 2. Contrast this simplicity with the hopes which people then had for the Messiah they prayed would come to overthrow the Romans; to bring sovereignty and power once more to their nation. Talk about our hopes and longings too. 3. Consider the throne names for the Messiah promised in Isaiah 9. Wonderful Counsellor expresses the hope that he will have the political ability to govern well and wisely. Mighty God / Divine Warrior represents him as the supreme champion of the oppressed. Everlasting Father unfailing source of protection and love. Prince of Peace controller of the people s well-being or shalom, and prosperity. Look briefly at how Jesus fulfilled these prophecies more than fulfilled them. 4. Strip away the layers of today s Christmases and see what lies at the heart of Christmas. It is the same that lay at the heart of the first Christmas the gift of God to humanity of his Son to be our Saviour; and God entrusting Jesus future, and our future to ordinary people. How are we doing with this trust from God? At the heart of Christmas is Just God, Simply Christmas.
Page 6 Time with Children 1. Oh I wish it could be Christmas every day'. Play the opening bars of this well-known song. Then ask the children What do you like best about Christmas? Be enthusiastic about everything they say! Then say would you like it to be Christmas every day??? (hopefully some will shout Yes!) Say Great idea!! then pause as if thinking hard about it. Begin to unpack what that might mean Eating turkey... do you LIKE turkey? I do... but every day... New toys... every day? Where would you put them? Would you have time to play with them? All that chocolate... our teeth would rot and fall out... have to go the dentist every day!! Do you see your pals on Christmas Day... maybe no time to see them if Christmas every day! BUT wait a minute!! Never mind these things turkey, chocolate, presents, There are parts of Christmas we DO want every day can you think what they might be? Talk about the first Christmas and what God was doing for us all in sending Jesus. Talk about God s love, hope for a better world, peace and goodwill... Remind them that these are the parts of Christmas which will really matter for us all! 2. My Choice Ask four members of the congregation who can speak well to children and adults, to choose whichever nativity scene character they feel most drawn to, and to share why. As they speak they may hold up the relevant figure from the nativity scene, or they could go and stand next to it with everyone gathering round. Be prepared to draw their comments together, and to ask everyone to think for a few minutes about which one they would have chosen and why. Then talk simply about what lies at the heart of Christmas, and why it matters for us all.
Page 7 Activities/Crafts for Messy Church and Children s Clubs Two games which might be useful at the beginning of Messy Church or Children s Clubs: 1. Who am I? As children and adults arrive, place a post-it on their forehead where they cannot see it, with a picture of one of the characters in the Nativity Scene (or just write it on if most of them can read). They then go round asking each person one question to which they answer Yes or No, till they find out who they are. (shepherd, angel, wise man, Mary, Joseph, donkey, sheep). Later on you can group them into their characters, and get them to stand up every time you say their name as you tell them all the story of the first Christmas. 2. Christmas Pass the Parcel Play pass the parcel to the tunes of Christmas Carols encourage everyone to sing along! When the music stops, a layer of paper is taken off. Then finally a box is opened and inside are the words love, peace and hope. Use this as a starter for a short talk of what lies at the centre of Christmas.
Page 8 Prayers Responses 1. A candle is lit: The Christ Child has come; God is with us, thanks be to God. Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill to all people. Let us worship God with joy and love. 2. What day is it today? Christmas Day! Whose birthday do we celebrate? Jesus, God s Son! Why do we celebrate it? He came to tell us God loves us, Will forgive us, And set us free To live as God s children! Let us worship God with gratitude and joy! Amen! Collect God our Father, your Word has come among us In the Holy Child of Bethlehem. Grant that the light of faith May illumine our hearts And shine in our words and deeds; Through Him who is Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns With you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever, Amen
Page 9 Thanksgiving and Praise 1. For happy days, Gatherings of friends and family, Gifts given and received, Greetings exchanged, Cards sent and friendships renewed, We thank and praise you. For special food and drink, For decorations and bright lights, For holidays and games and music and laughter, We thank and praise you. But above all, for the gift of your Son, For his coming in love, born into poverty To call us to you, to walk with us in our journeys of faith For this above all today We praise and thank you. As we meet here, give us eyes to see him, Ears to hear his call, and hearts to respond in love. In His name we pray, Amen 2. We give thanks, O God, That this day brings joy to so many people; That, whether they are people of faith or not, They long for peace and joy and love - They long to know and feel the spirit of Christmas Day.
Page 10 We thank you that in small human ways, So many people try to pause And honour their love for others with generosity. We celebrate this human longing to give to each other And to find joy in life. We thank you, O God, for the far-reaching wonder of Christmas. We thank you for the gift of Jesus, as a baby in a stable. A gift of love beyond our imagining. Open our hearts and minds to the wonder of this love of yours, Love which lies at the very heart of Christmas. In Christ s name we pray, Amen Confession Lord Jesus Christ, come into our hearts as light: Make plain what is hidden in the shadow, and give us such joy in receiving you that we long to be rid of all that keeps us from you. Silence For the widening gulf between those in comfort and those who are poor, Come Jesus, forgive us, Come Jesus, forgive and change us. For the carelessness that treats our world as if there is no tomorrow, Come Jesus, forgive us, Come Jesus, forgive and change us. For the suspicion of what is different that sets human against human, Come Jesus, forgive us, Come Jesus, forgive and change us.
Page 11 For the embarrassment at speaking out that silences the Good News, Come Jesus, forgive us, Come Jesus, forgive and change us. Forgiven and changed, Lord Jesus make us people of the light, until in your glorious presence darkness is driven away forever. Amen. Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession When we awake, to welcome, or fear, another day - thanks to you, loving God. When we go about to meet our neighbours at work or leisure - thanks to you, living God. When we work, or struggle in idleness, and feel, or miss, energy in body and mind - thanks to you, enlivening God. When we sense the wonder of the wholeness of creation, or sink beneath the smallness of our lives - thanks be to you, creator God. Living God, when you chose to become human in Jesus, you birthed a new hope for the whole created order. Yet still you see how grimly the old ways cling on. As part of them, we cry to you. Remember, in mercy, the embattled peoples of the world -
Page 12 in the Holy Land and the surrounding countries, and in every place where humans struggle to live in justice and in peace. God, in your mercy/hear our prayer. Remember, in mercy, your people struck by famine, by disease, by homelessness; and strengthen all who offer them refuge, asylum, hope. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Remember, in mercy, the broken-ness of our mother earth, and grant wisdom and courage to those who seek to give her the care she so needs and deserves. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer. We pray for the church; we remember the courage of the saints and martyrs in whose footsteps we seek to walk; we give thanks especially for Mary, the one who chose to say Yes to you. God, you have set before us a great hope that your kingdom will come on earth, and have taught us to pray for its coming: make us ever ready to thank you for the signs of its dawning, and to pray and work for the perfect day when your will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Page 13 Intercessions Intercession (based on Isaiah 9: 2-7) God of light, in a world which often seems dark, we thank you for that light which came at Christmas in the form of a baby unlikely, helpless, speechless and hopeful. Thank you for the message in a baby that from weakness comes might, from poverty comes riches, from the least the most and from the ordinary the unexpected. We bring before you lands where darkness seems to dominate Syria, South Sudan (mention anything else current) We pray for resolution to the conflict, arms to be laid down and restoration to begin. May your light shine on them and bring joy. We bring before you leaders of the world who seem intent on exploiting and oppressing their people - in North Korea, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe (others where you may have contacts) May they instead rule with right and justice. We bring before you individuals and groups of people who are burdened with life and carry heavy yokes people who are homeless, live with health issues, have addictions and especially today we remember those for whom Christmas is a time of loneliness and isolation. May your light shine on them and bring joy. We bring before you people in power in our communities who ignore the needs of the poor and vulnerable, who use might instead of debate, who would rather be popular than just, who choose the standards of the world rather than your standards May they instead rule with right and justice. We bring ourselves with our own frailties, anxieties and dilemmas, health concerns
Page 14 and concerns about family and friends. This Christmas day, we look to the baby of Bethlehem who depended on others for hospitality, care, support and nurturing and we ask that you will make us here into a body of people who are more interdependent, supportive, welcoming so that we will reflect your light and increase in the joy you bring. Amen Offering and Dedication We offer you these gifts of money, O God. And at this time of giving and receiving, of showing love to others, exchanging cards and presents, we thank you for the greatest gift you have given us Your Son, Jesus Christ. Like the choir of angels on the night of his birth, help us to sing your praise and tell out the good news. Like the shepherds, returning from the manger, may we dance for joy because of all we have seen and heard; like the wise men, kneeling in wonder, may we offer you our very selves in your service. Grace-filled God, We thank you for this time of celebration and joy; we thank you for Jesus Christ and all the gifts of your love. Receive our worship and the joy in our hearts, in His name we pray, Amen. In addition to the above prayers, prepared by our contributor, other prayers may be found in People of the Way which is the theme for this year s Pray Now. It was also the theme for Heart and Soul 2016. People of the Way is available from St Andrew Press.
Page 15 Musical Suggestions Carols Dialogues, other readings, dramas Useful resources include: Light Dawns 100 meditations for public worship from Advent to Epiphany by Nick Fawcett Candles and Conifers Resources for All Saints and Advent edited by Ruth Burgess Hay and Stardust Resources for Christmas to Candlemas edited by Ruth Burgess On the ALTERnativity website there is a meditation called Bringing the crib scene to life. There is also a Congregational Nativity Play which can be used without rehearsal. Christmas reflection written with children and young people Let s take a break for a few minutes to think about what Christmas means the celebration and the sadness, the thankfulness and the pain. We give thanks for the many gifts and presents we receive and we remember the people who haven t got the money to buy material things. We give thanks for the warmth, bright lights and Christmas trees and we remember the people who are living on the streets. We give thanks for the times we have together with friends old and new, -families, neighbours. and we remember the people who are lonely, who have nowhere to go. We give thanks for the memories of good times we have had in the past and we remember those for whom this time is painful because they have lost someone close to them. We give thanks for the gift of Jesus and for all the joy of belonging in the church.. and we remember the people who have not heard or understood the message of God s love in Jesus. In his name we pray, Amen
Page 16 A Brief Christmas Day Communion Service This particular liturgy was used after short Christmas Day Family services in Kingussie, and was well received by regular worshippers and visitors alike. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. This is the table of the God who took on the vulnerability of a child that through him the world might be saved. Let us pray: We thank you, O God, for the joy of this day, Not just for Christians but also joyful for the many people Who celebrate their love for others, In shared time and food and laughter. We thank you for joy of this place Where we meet as members of your family To celebrate our love for you and for each other. To praise you that Christ came as a helpless baby, The Saviour of our world. You call us to meet with you, To share together the bread that shall last, the wine that shall never hurt. Thanks be to you, O God! Hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem As Jesus took bread and wine, so I take this ordinary bread and wine to be set apart of this holy and sacred use. And as Jesus gave thanks, so do we. Let us pray:
Page 17 Living God, this bread and wine remind us that Jesus did become human, someone who ate and drank, who shared time and love with friends; We thank you that the bread and wine remind us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of light and love. With all our hearts, we thank you for the gift of your Son; And we ask, that as we share now in this feast, You will fill our hearts and lives with love for you, and love for humanity, that we may fully share in your life here on earth. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, Almighty Father forever, Amen Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us, Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us, Jesus redeemer of the world, grant us peace. Before we share the bread and the wine, let us greet each other with the handshake of peace. On this wonderful day when we celebrate the gift of our Saviour, May the peace of God fill us all. The night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying take eat, this is my body broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same manner also, he took the cup when he had supped saying,
Page 18 this cup is the new promise sealed by my blood. Do this in remembrance of me. With joy let us share this bread and wine, remembering all that Jesus means to us and for us. After sharing the bread and the wine - In prayer, let us bring before God those for whom we would pray today: Our families and our friends, wherever they may be; Those we know who are ill, or lonely, who have been bereaved. Those whose families are suffering in any way. In silence now, let us bring our prayers to God. Silence Let us also bring to God all those maybe not known to us personally, But of whom we have heard, Whose lives are devastated by war and conflict, hunger and thirst, Oppression and poverty. In silence now, let us bring our prayers to God. Silence God of love and mercy, God of judgement and justice, Hear our prayers and the tears and longings of our hearts, As we share together in the words of the prayer Jesus gave us. Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever Amen. * We celebrate each Christmas Day that the dawn has come, Gentle as the being of a child,
Page 19 Clothed in the light of its newness. The dawn has come, not in the harsh midday sun, But as fragile rays of pale light, Feeling their way through the darkness. The dawn has come, calling the world into vulnerable hope And claiming a space for God Deep in the centre of our brokenness. The dawn has come thanks be to God. * based on words by Dorothy McRae-McMahon Hymn: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear May the echoes of the angel songs be all around us, The wisdom of those who followed the star be our guide And the joyful wonder of those who found the Christ be in our hearts, Today and forever more Amen
Page 20 Additional Resources Resourcing Mission Resourcing Mission is host to Starters for Sunday and other key mission resources for download and purchase. Online booking is available for Mission & Discipleship events. Please check back regularly, as new items are being added all the time. If there is something you d like to see on this new site, please contact us via the website. Prayer Resources These materials are designed to be a starting point for what you might look for in prayers. People of the Way is available from St Andrew Press. Music Resources The hymns mentioned in this material are ideas of specific hymns you might choose for this week s themes. However, for some excellent articles on church music and ideas for new music resources, please check out our online music pages Different Voices. Preaching Resources These materials are designed to be a starting point for what you might preach this Sunday. Preachers Perspectives is a resource where we have asked twelve preachers to share the insights they have gathered through their experiences of writing and delivering sermons regularly. Scots Worship Resources The Kirk's Ear - Scots i the Kirk series for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and other times of the year Wurship Ouk bi Ouk - Metrical psalms, hymns, prayers and words for worship Scots Sacraments may give you helpful material if you are celebrating Communion or have a Baptism. The Mission and Discipleship Council would like to express its thanks to ALTERnativity for providing us with this Sunday s material. Please note that the views expressed in these materials are those of the individual writer and not necessarily the official view of the Church of Scotland, which can be laid down only by the General Assembly.