SEEK - Christmas Video by Dan Stevers

Celebrate Christmas Photo

Photo by Don Stott

Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Star

(Twinkle Twinkle Little Star tune...)

Twinkle twinkle Christmas Star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Lighting up the Christmas sky
Star of hope, star of love
Twinkle twinkle from above.

Twinkle twinkle Christmas Star
How I wonder what you are
Shine on meadows, shine on sheep
Shine on shepherds as they sleep
Wake and see a light so bright
What is happening tonight?

Twinkle twinkle Christmas Star
How I wonder what you are
Shine on angels as they sing
Can you hear they news they bring?
"Born this night-oh what a joy!
God's own Son, a baby boy!"

Twinkle twinkle Christmas Star
How i wonder what you are
Shine on Joseph, Mary too
Shine & shine the whole night thru
Oh now watch, see them lay
Baby Jesus on the hay.

I love the stars that twinkle bright
I love the stars on Christmas night
Christmas night is for me too
Jesus came for me, it's true
Thank you God for what you've done
Thank you God, for your own Son.

What is Advent?

Worship Ideas for Christmas

You'll find loads of ideas for Christmas worship here -

The African American Lectionary

Two Sock Puppets sing a Christmas Song

Archie and Socrates sing "Lowly Manger" to the tune of "Jingle Bells".

Advent Prayer

Prayer of a New Guinea Christian

At the Advent season we should try the key to our heart's door. It may have gathered rust. If so, this is the time to oil it, in order that the heart's door may open more easily when the Lord Jesus wants to enter at Christmastime. Lord, oil the hinges of our heart's doors that they may swing gently and easily to welcome your coming.

Children's Christmas Plays and Photos

Eliab's Christmas Page - Free stories, puppets skits, songs and chants
Christmas is Coming resource booklet -for children's Christmas programs.
Original Puppet plays, skits, stories, and Christmas clip art.
Free high resolution Christmas Photos for use in publicity, worship or cards.

Fresh Christmas Resources for Children's Ministry

Here are some great ideas re possible Advent/Christmas activities for your context…
Bible Society Seeds Christmas Issues
Christian Playgroup Storytime Christmas Surprises 

From the Uniting Church in South Australia…
 
Adorable Multi-Age Worship Resource

Summer Sundays and Celebrate Jesus 

From Barnabas November eNews
A Sheep's Tale
Christmas Story Beads
Christmas games - activities for a children's or all-age session
Church-sized Christingles - get everyone involved in a twist on this traditional service
Christmas - Have I got good news for you! -the Bible in TV programmes
Operation Christmas Child - a reflective story
Packing up Christmas - some games that tell a story
Presenting the Christmas message through sounds
Seasonal Shopping - an all-age nativity sketch
Multi-Age Advent - an Advent service focusing on John the Baptist's prophetic ministry.

 
 

Christmas Chant

Christmas Chant

Clop, clop, clop went the donkey's feet

Clop, clop, clop down the stoney street.

Nod, nod, nod went Mary's head

She was so tired, she needed a bed.

Knock, knock, knock went Joseph at the door.

Do you have room for anyone more?

No, no, no the innkeeper said.

Wait, wait, wait the innkeeper said

You can use my stable for a bed

Shh, shh, shh What is that I hear?

The cry of Baby Jesus, oh so dear.

source unknown

Free Christmas Photos

I have just posted some high res. Christmas photos which may be  of use for either cards, publicity or a web blog. You'll find them here at my other website. http://eliab.com


 LINK- Free Christmas Photos
Check back soon as more are to be added. 

Advent and Christmas Services

EngageWorship.org has recently posted some really helpful Advent and Christmas resources. If you're planning a worship service leading up to Christmas you should check out these free resources.

Advent Ribbon Reflection
We Look Forward to Advent Liturgy
The Cave Sketch - a short drama

A Christmas Lament

For those under pressure or rushing in their preparations leading up to Christmas Dean McIntyre has written a thoughtful lament which may be sung to the tune of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" or — with some rhythmic adjustment — "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

click here- Christmas Lament http://revsonja.blogspot.com.au/2008/11/christmas-lament.html

Christmas-1st Corinthians 13 Style

Christmas-1st Corinthians 13 Style

• If I decorate my house perfectly with bows,strands of twinkling lights and shiny baubles, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

• If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas biscuits, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtimes, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

•  If I decorate the Christmas tree with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

• Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

• Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband or wife.

• Love is kind, though harried and tired.

•  Love doesn't envy another's home that has co-ordinated Christmas china and table cloths.

•  Love doesn't yell at the children to get out of the way.

• Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

• Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
  

• Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.

But giving the gift of God's love will endure.

Pilgrims Christmas Prayer

Pilgrims Prayer
May the Babe of Bethlehem be yours to tend
May the Boy of Nazareth be yours for friend
May the Man of Galilee his healing send
May the Christ of Calvary his courage lend
May the risen Lord his presence send
And his holy angels defend you to the end.

Christ, the Light of the World

A Christmas Day Prayer
Christ, the Light of the world,
on all who greet this day with sadness or
loneliness, may your light shine;
on all who greet this day with no home to call their own,
may your light shine;
on all who greet this day with fear of
violence, may your light shine;
on all who greet this day not recognising
God at work in the world, may your light shine,
and so, may all people near and far have
their darkness banished as Jesus
is made known. Amen.

Christmas Conspiracy

Christmas Prayer Response

Leader: Christ the Promised one has come
C: Help us recognize your Son.
Leader: Kept out from the inn that night
C: Open up those lives shut tight.
Leader: Angels singing, shepherds scared
C: Help us see God's peace is shared.
Leader: Shepherd gave praise from his heart
C:Lead us Lord to do our part.
Leader: Star shone brightly where He lay
C: Help us follow now His way.
Leader:Ruler, King- though baby small
C: Rule our lives, please use us all.
Leader:We decorate our Christmas tree
C: Remind us Lord, You died for me.
Leader: Jesus came to save from sin
C: Calls us now to welcome Him.

(C) Don Stott Eliab.com