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The Village Shepherd

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Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

Benjy's Birthday Party -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny
The Best Present Ever -- Luke 2:8-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - A
Call to Worship: Come, let us go even now to Bethlehem with the shepherds and the
Jonquil's Daffodils -- John 11:1-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
Call to Worship:
David And Jonathan, Best Friends -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C
Call to Worship:
The Family -- Matthew 13:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A
Call to Worship:
The Friends From The Street Want To Swim -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said that whoever is not against us, is for us. Let us
John And The Power Within -- John 17:20-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Call to Worship:
Daisy Loved To Dance -- John 4:5-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
Call to Worship:
The Ermine Cloak -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
Call to Worship:
Bushman's Acorn -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "What God has joined together, let no one separate."
A Page Boy's Story -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
Call to Worship: With the kings, on this feast of the Epiphany let us come to
John And Jane -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- All Saints Day - A
Call to Worship:
Bunker Stands Alone -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Call to Worship:
The End Of Their Lives -- Matthew 9:9-13; 18-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
Call to Worship:
Mr. Tweedie, The Organist -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
Call to Worship: They said to the blind man, "Take heart; get up, he is calling
Lazy Linda -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Call to Worship: Jesus said, "Keep awake, for you do not know either the day or the
Jo's First Camp -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Call to Worship:
Ahmed's Gift -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - A
Call to Worship:
A Father's Story -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Call to Worship:
The Braying Of A Donkey -- Matthew 27:11-54 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - A
Call to Worship:
Mo's Love For God -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
Call to Worship: Jesus told us to love God and to love our neighbours as ourselves.
The New Boy -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Call to Worship:
Jasmine's Special Christmas Present -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Call to Worship:
Tarika And Amy -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Call to Worship:
The Bible Club -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
Call to worship:

Children's sermon

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

Alice And The Angel -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Alice was lying on her back on the grass gazing up at clouds meandering gently overhead when she
Holly's Worry -- Matthew 6:25-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A
Holly stared at her face in the mirror. She couldn't believe it!
Roly Poly Prickle Faces The Music -- John 6:51-58 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Roly Poly Prickle was in something of a mess.
More Trouble For Praxis -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Praxis the pixie was in trouble again. In fact, Praxis was rarely out of trouble.
The Moment Of Truth -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
I'd never met my cousin John, although I'd heard plenty about him from my mother.
What Shall I Do? -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
James was really miserable.
After Grandma Died -- John 11:1-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
Death is difficult for anyone to understand and accept, and particularly difficult for children
He Who Laughs Last -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
Henry Hyena had a problem.
Roly Interprets The Signs -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Roly lay on the stone floor with his head on his paws.
Molly's Family -- John 2:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
"I'm never going to get married," declared Molly.
Mole's Great Escape -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Mole shouted his warning to Fox and rabbit, but Fox hardly paused as he chased rabbit, and rabbit
The Mystery Of The Marshes -- John 21:1-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Cley marshes (pronounced Cly), are rich in wild life, especially sea birds.
What Matters? -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A
When Lucy Dingall moved to a new house, she was very excited.
Adrian's Swimming Coach -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Advent - A
There wasn't much that Adrian was good at, except swimming.
Happy Families -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middl
Robert's Choice -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Even after being warned that Herod was out to kill him, Jesus was still determined to go to Jeru
Molly The Milk Molecule -- Matthew 9:35-10:8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
Molly the milk molecule was scared.
The Marble King -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Charlie Baker was thrilled. He'd just been given a bag of marbles from his grandmother.
We Piped To You And You Did Not Dance? -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
He was such a nice man.
Whose Job Is It Anyway? -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
Mabel hummed a familiar hymn tune as she made her way to church.
Greater Love Hath No Man? -- John 10:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A
During World War II, a number of British regiments from this part of East Anglia were sent to th
Richard's Mum -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
The prodigal son's father could equally have been his mother, since mothers too are never quite
Mike's Great Disappointment -- Mark 16:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - B
Mike was fed up.
The King Is Coming? -- John 18:33-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
The jungle was abuzz with excitement.
Uncle Sol's Visit -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Ben was excited. It was a cold winter's day, but Uncle Sol was coming to visit.

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

Servant King... -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Advent God... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Broken God... -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Seeing And All-Knowing God -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Healing And Compassionate God... -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Unexpected God, Awful Times In My Life Occur Out Of The Blue... -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Triumphant -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
The World Is Preparing Once Again -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Risen God... -- John 20:19-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Listening God... -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Perfect Community... -- John 17:20-26 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love, You Promised To Comfort Those Who Mourn... -- John 13:31-35 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Love, I Find It Almost Impossible To Really Love Outside My Own Family -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Creation, Every Branch Of Your Church Tends To Think It Has The Whole Truth... -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Living... -- John 11:1-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of The Highest Heavens... -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Healing God... -- John 5:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Matthew 24:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
God Of Creation, Enable Your Church So To Hear Your Voice... -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Joyful God, it's your birthday... -- John 1:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Risen God... -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Easter Day - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Understanding God... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Risen And Living God... -- John 21:1-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
Bountiful God... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
All-Seeing God... -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Prayer

Preaching

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

The Possible Dream -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2006
Note: This is a substitute for missing content from The Village Shepherd.
The Lord Looks On The Heart -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2006
Many years ago when I was at Primary School, an Australian girl joined our class.
Things Change -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2005
Note: There is no content for Proper 4 / OT 9 / Pentecost 2 from The Village Shepher
Parades And Crosses -- The Challenge Of Ministry -- 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2005
Note: There is no content for Proper 4 / OT 9 / Pentecost 2 from The Village Shepher
Looking To The Unseen -- 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2005
Note: There is no content for Proper 5 / OT 10 / Pentecost 3 from The Village Shephe
Risking Relationships That Redeem -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2005
Note: This sermon fills a slot that is not currently filled by The Village Shepherd.
God, Please Send Some Lofty Thoughts -- 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2001
E-mail From: KDM To: God Subject: Truly Human, Truly God's
Let Sleeping Dogmas Awake! -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2001
There are many doctrines in the Bible that receive light billing today.
The Illusion Of Neutrality -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- Robert A. Beringer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1992
Charlie Moran, the old National League baseball umpire, always regarded himself and his decisions hi
The Israelites Looked Back -- Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
In John Osborne's famous play, "Look Back In Anger", first produced in the post-war
Shout It From The Rooftops! -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A
Years ago, politicians were regarded as the epitome of authority
The Faithfulness Of Mothers -- John 19:25-27 -- Janice B. Scott
To us in England, the fourth Sunday in Lent is always Mothering
The Prophet -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
The hypnotist Paul McKenna
Humility And Courage -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Walking home from work one evening, a young man was attacked by five thugs. Instead of just
The God Within -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
When my father was dying,
The Day Of The Lord -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
In the "Manchester
What About Isaac? -- Genesis 22:1-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
If any of us ever stopped to really consider the implications and responsibilities of being a
God's Word Will Succeed -- Isaiah 55:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
It's difficult to know what to do with old buildings such as Victorian schools. Many Victorian
A New Beginning -- Ezekiel 36:24-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
The Oprah Winfrey television show started in 1986 and will continue until at least 2011 because
A Web Of Deceit -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
We human beings so often
Worry! -- Matthew 6:24-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A
I remember as a teenager feeling extremely irritated
Shameful Realisation -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
God must receive a
The Beat Of A Butterfly's Wing -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
It's now well known although hardly comprehensible to me, that a single beat of a
Sins Of The Fathers -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
The relationship between fathers and sons can be difficult. The relationship between famous
Potential -- Exodus 1:8--2:10 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
This is a year for babies in

Worship

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
32 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
24 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
Merry Christmas! The midwinter festival has come, and it calls for parties, feasting and drinking and dancing and the exchange of gifts. Like all people in the northern hemisphere, we need light in the dark days of winter. The only problem with all of this is that the pressure to be joyful can send us spiraling in the exact opposite of mind sets.
Christmas shops are not just for Christmas anymore. These stores that specialize in everything yuletide-ish do business year round and can be found everywhere. I have seen them in an outlet mall near Washington, D.C., nestled in a small village in the mountains of North Carolina and adorning the white sand beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is born! A bright light has come into our world, so let us thank and praise God for his gift to us of Jesus, the Messiah.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, make us worthy to worship at your crib.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, may we remember you in today's excitement.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, be born in our hearts today.

Lord, have mercy

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
A Story to Live By: "
Christmas Stories: "Christmas Presence" by Janice Hammerquist
"Silver In His Soul"
"www.ChristmasHouse" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: Great Prayer of Thanksgiving for Christmas Eve by Thom M. Shuman


What's Up on Christmas Eve

Lamar Massingill
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
"Taking His Joy unto Ourselves" by Lamar Massingill
"God Acted that We Might Act" by Lamar Massingill
"The Hopes and Fears of All the Years" by John Sumwalt
"God with Us" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * * *


Taking His Joy unto Ourselves
Lamar Massingill
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Christmas would be incomplete without recognizing Incarnate Love's first fruit, which is joy. Johann Sebastian Bach recognized it when he, as an act of worship, composed "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."

SermonStudio

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7 (C, RC); Isaiah 9:2--4, 6--7 (E)
Mark Wm. Radecke
Year after year, we are drawn to this night: This night with its carols, its candlelight, its communion, and the combined fragrance of pine, poinsettia and perfume. (Is that Passion or Poison you're wearing? Or maybe it's Polo!) The gentle poetry of Luke's story draws us, too.

Why is it that we are so drawn to this night, I wonder? There are, I suppose, as many answers as there are people in this room.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
It's not an easy life, I'll tell you that. I work my small farm during the day, but that doesn't bring in enough money. I have a family to support, taxes to pay -- oy, don't get me started on taxes -- so I need more than my farm brings in. I do the only other thing I know how to do. I hire myself out for the night shift watching other people's sheep. Tending sheep would not be my first choice, you understand. First, I have to stay awake all night. Then, there's counting the sheep to make sure one or two haven't wandered off. Thieves are always a problem.
Timothy J. Smith
There is a special feeling from being in church on Christmas Eve. For many of us it feels like coming home for Christmas. We come to hear the familiar story of Mary and Joseph making their way to the little town of Bethlehem. We hear once again of Baby Jesus born in stable. Soon after an unexpected encounter with angels, the shepherds head to the manger to see Jesus for themselves. Children have creatively acted out this story for generations complete with the wise men offering their gifts. Living Nativities complete with live animals are portrayed in church parking lots in many communities.
Frank Luchsinger
"The grace of God has appeared ... training us ... to await our blessed hope" (Titus 2:11-13), and oh, how we have waited! The air is filled with anticipation, the Holy Night has come. We each wait for different things: the lighting of candles, the singing of carols, loved ones returning home, feasting, and forgetting ferment, for the Prince of Peace is coming. We wait for delight in the eyes of someone we love as he or she opens that special gift. We wait in awe in the hope that one star's strong light lingers still and will lead us home to him who redeems us.
John B. Jamison
He stood on the steps and waved. He nodded to those cheering to him from below, and took a deep breath as if to soak up their praise.
Susan R. Andrews
At the risk of putting you to sleep, I'd like to ask each one of you to close your eyes. Right now, for just a minute. Please close your eyes. And now imagine with me. Imagine that you are holding a newborn baby. Imagine how this baby feels - skin touching skin, curves touching curves - harmonious heartbeats as life surges between you. Imagine the smell - the earthy sweetness of breath and body perfuming the air. Imagine the sound - the silent melody of sighing, stretching, settling. Right now, for just a minute, let your imagination go. Feel the baby. Smell the baby. Hear the baby.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering
P: Born into this world,
C: born into our lives,
P: God made flesh.
C: O Emmanuel, we praise you now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Of Praise
O Come, All Ye Faithful or Jesus, What A Wonderful Child

Gospel Procession
Have the children (dressed as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds) process and then read the gospel from the center of the congregation.

Intercessory Prayers
After each petition:
L: O God of love,
C: be born in us today.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Sing A New Song To The Lord (PH216)
Angels From The Realms Of Glory (UM220, PH22, NCH126)
Born In The Night (PH30, NCH152)
Once In Royal David's City (PH49, UM250, NCH145)
The First Nowell (PH56, UM245, CBH199, NCH139)
On This Day Earth Shall Ring (UM248, PH46, CBH192)
What Child Is This? (UM219, PH53, CBH215, NCH148)
Silent Night (PH60, UM229, CBH193, PH134)
The Friendly Beasts (UM227, NCH138)
That Boy--Child Of Mary (PH55, UM241)
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light -

All: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shone.

Women: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.

Men: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders -

CSSPlus

Merry Christmas, boys and girls. (Show one of your signs). Do any of you know what this sign means? (Let them answer.) That's right, it means (provide answer). (Show another sign and ask what it means. Let them answer.) Very good. Signs are very important aren't they? They give us direction. They tell us what to do and what not to do. The Bible gives many signs also.

You all know the story about the shepherds on Christmas Eve. The shepherds were in the field watching their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared to them. The Bible says that the shepherds
Leah Thompson
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all… (v. 11)

Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) Who can tell me what today is? (allow answers) That's right -- it's finally here! Today is Christmas [Eve]! We have spent the whole season of Advent preparing for right now. The long preparation is finally over. Christmas is here!

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