Christmas Morning Family Worship

Christmas Morning

Family Worship

Gather everyone around. If you have a manger scene that is “kid-friendly” have it nearby.  Make sure to place Jesus in the center.  Light a candle.  Sing a favorite Christmas song, like “Joy to the World, the Lord has come.” Have someone read this:

Luke 2 (The Message)

^1-5″About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

^6-7While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

^8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

^13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

^15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

^19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!”

Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  Pray, “Thank you God for this special day and for sending Jesus.  Help our family to remember You all through our day.  Amen.”

We hope your Christmas morning is full of faith filled traditions, to pass your faith in Christ to the next generation.  Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We are just day’s away from Christmas.  Are you ready?

Are you ready with anticipation?

Are you ready to receive a gift?

I’m not talking about the gifts under the tree or being done with all your shopping.  I’m talking about being ready to receive the greatest gift in life.  It is the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.  It all began on Christmas with a baby being born in a manager.  You can read the account in the Holy Bible in the book of Luke.

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while^[a]Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:1-7, NIV

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16, NIV

I encourage you to read the Nativity story on Christmas morning as a family.  Make this a tradition of “getting ready” for Christmas.     

I am praying your Christmas is Merry!

God Bless,

HomeConnect Week 3, December 20. 2009

Date: Sunday, December 20, 2009
Week 4: The Son of God Is Born! (Luke 1:26-45; 2:1-20)
Bible Point: Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth.

Link:

http://www.christmas-origin.com/

Link:

http://childrensermons.com/sermons/gift.htm

Link:

http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/christmas/tocolor/tocolorbox.htm

Use these Web sites to spend a few moments studying the origin of Christmas. Discuss what you think “origin” means. Invite smaller children to color the gift box that can be printed from the third link listed above. Talk about how it feels to receive a special gift. Then allow each family member time to give an answer to the following questions:

What is the greatest gift God could ever give? Why do you think God gave this gift?

Why was Jesus willing to be God’s gift to all humankind?

What gift can we give to Jesus?

Let family members write their names on small pieces of paper. Place each name in a small box and gift-wrap it. Include this gift in your Christmas giving as a symbol of what you will give Jesus.

Group Publishing,  http://www.group.com/tips/Default.aspx?tipID=8086