Christmas Day C

Bible Readings: Psalm 98, Luke 2:1-20

Prayer of Confession
From Keith Watkins (Ed.) in Imaging the Word Volume 1 by Kenneth T. Lawrence, Jann Cather Weaver and Roger Wedell (Eds.), United Church Press, 1994, ISBN 0829809716, page 97. (pictured in an earlier blog)
Poem: The Ride To Bethlehem
Found in Outback Christmas by Pro Hart and Norman Habel, Lutheran Publishing House, 1990, ISBN 0859105628, page 20 (pictured in an earlier blog)
Drama: Christmas Play
By Alix Brown in Hay and Stardust by Ruth Burgess, Wild Goose Publications, 2005, ISBN 1905010001, page 144 (pictured). This is a real light hearted look at the story and would be lots of fun for child and adult alike. Use it as an intro to Luke 2, to take a fresh look at one of the best known Bible readings in the world - a reading that is often taken for granted.
Kid's Story: A Night the Stars Danced for Joy
By Bob Hartman and Tim Jonke, Lion Publishing, 1993, ISBN 074593899X. (pictured)
Story: Yates Pool
Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes by Jim Burns and Greg Mckinnon (eds.), Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 65. (pictured in an earlier blog)
Quote:
"Jesus was the hope of the world but not the hope the world was expecting" - William H, Willimon
Response Activity: How Far is It?
Found in Cloth For the Cradle by The Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose Publications, 1997, ISBN 1901557014, page 64 (pictured in an earlier blog)
Response Activity: Registering Hope
Found in Cloth from the Cradle (as above), page 65
Handout:
Many people attend church at Christmas even though they are not regular attenders. Take the opportunity to give visitors a small encouragement card with a few bible readings which give people a bit of an idea about the rest of Jesus' story.