A Father's Story
Children's Liturgy and Story
Call to Worship:
Joseph his father saved Jesus from Herod's soldiers. In our worship today let us thank God for those people who protect us and save us from harm.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I ignore your protection.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I rebel against your protection.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I rebel against all those who want to protect me.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 2:13-23 (NRSV)
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." [14] Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, [15] and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son."
[16] When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. [17] Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
[18] "A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more."
[19] When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, [20] "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." [21] Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. [22] But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. [23] There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazorean."
Story:
If it hadn't been for Joseph obeying the angel's command, Jesus might have been killed by Herod's soldiers. Here is an imaginary version of Joseph's story.
A Father's Story
I'm not as young as I was and I notice my age particularly now in the cold winter nights. My wife Mary, is much younger than me. She is still athletic and lithe, even though she's just given birth to our first child. As the years passed me by I thought I'd never become a father, but old Joachim was glad enough to marry off his daughter and I was glad enough to take her.
Mind you, I nearly regretted it. Mary was soon pregnant, and I wasn't at all sure that the baby was mine. But I had one of my dreams and woke up convinced of Mary's purity. Now I can't take my eyes off our own dear little baby, a son to follow in my footsteps and to carry on the business and my family name.
But I do feel my age. My old joints ache so and the cold seeps into my bones. Last night I had another of those dreams, a scary one this time. I dreamt that my boy is really a prince and that King Herod is out to murder him. When I woke I was trembling all over and although my reason told me not to be so stupid, I knew I just had to get us all away from the muck and mire and biting cold.
If we'd been able to find a hotel for the night, I don't think I would have paid quite so much attention to the dream. It's one thing having nightmares in a warm, comfortable bed, but quite another having them practically exposed to the elements in a draughty stable. The dream was just the push I needed to get on our way. We'd registered for the census, so were free to leave whenever we wished. And it's a lot warmer walking than it is just sitting around.
We'll have to walk for days. We have to cross the desert, always a risky business at the best of times. There are ravenous wild beasts in the hills, creeping closer to civilisation in the winter months and ready to attack anything which might be classed as food. But I'll light a fire each night which should keep them at bay. More dangerous are the robbers, wild men who attack and kill for a warm cloak or a donkey. We shall have to be very wary of them and pray for our Lord's protection.
We'll make our way to Egypt, land of our forefathers. My namesake, that Joseph of old, came from Egypt, so perhaps that's a good omen. He did well there. Perhaps I can set up my carpenter's business there and teach my boy how to handle wood. People always need good carpenters. We'll work together, my boy and I, as soon as he's old enough. Even as a baby he already has good hands. Long, sensitive fingers, ideal for shaping wood.
It's a strange thing. When I arranged this marriage with Joachim and Anna, I never expected to find love. I was only looking for a wife, someone to serve me as a man should be served. But Mary! She's the most beautiful, gentle creature I ever saw and I find this old heart overflowing with love for her and the child.
I have to hurry. I'm sure it can only be my over-fevered imagination, but I'm almost certain I heard the shouts and cries and stamping feet of soldiers in the distance. Was that dream real, after all? Is my son really a prince? What a mystery this is! But I will get them to Egypt. I'll protect them both for the whole of their lives. And who knows? Who knows what my boy might become?
Activity:
Take along some of your Christmas presents, the more amusing the better. And if you can reach members of the congregation prior to the service, ask them to bring along some of their presents too.
If you can, take one or two which are still wrapped.
Ask people to hold up their presents and pick out some of them to show the rest of the congregation. Let the children show their presents to the congregation. Unwrap your presents so that people can watch.
Talk about the reason for giving presents to each other -- the reason for the season. Ask what they think of the gift of a baby and point out that babies bring forth great feelings of love and protection and tenderness from other people. Point out too that babies are very vulnerable and will die if they're not cared for properly. They need everything done for them. What a privilege that is -- to be able to care for another human being in such a complete way.
Even more than that, God himself entered humanity that first Christmas. Before God had lived among people in a temple, but since that first Christmas God actually lives within human beings, part of them.
What a present!
Prayers:
Christmas God, you don't live within the building of the church but within each of us. Help us so to shine with your love that we are truly your church, a dwelling place fit for you.
Christmas God, at this time of peace and good will to all we continue to pray for lasting peace throughout the world. We pray especially for your Holy Land and the whole of the Middle East.
Christmas God, we ask your blessings today on all who have no faith in you. We pray for all who are unaware that they are living temples for your Spirit and for all who are sad or lonely at this time.
Christmas God, we pray for the sick asking you to lay your hands upon them. We remember before you especially ...
Blessing:
May God protect you from all evil
and anything that might hurt you.
May God flood your hearts and minds
with his Christmas spirit.
And may the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Be with you, be in your homes
And in your families,
With those whom you love
And with those for whom you pray,
Throughout this Christmas season and always. Amen.
Joseph his father saved Jesus from Herod's soldiers. In our worship today let us thank God for those people who protect us and save us from harm.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I ignore your protection.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I rebel against your protection.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I rebel against all those who want to protect me.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 2:13-23 (NRSV)
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." [14] Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, [15] and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son."
[16] When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. [17] Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
[18] "A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more."
[19] When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, [20] "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." [21] Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. [22] But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. [23] There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazorean."
Story:
If it hadn't been for Joseph obeying the angel's command, Jesus might have been killed by Herod's soldiers. Here is an imaginary version of Joseph's story.
A Father's Story
I'm not as young as I was and I notice my age particularly now in the cold winter nights. My wife Mary, is much younger than me. She is still athletic and lithe, even though she's just given birth to our first child. As the years passed me by I thought I'd never become a father, but old Joachim was glad enough to marry off his daughter and I was glad enough to take her.
Mind you, I nearly regretted it. Mary was soon pregnant, and I wasn't at all sure that the baby was mine. But I had one of my dreams and woke up convinced of Mary's purity. Now I can't take my eyes off our own dear little baby, a son to follow in my footsteps and to carry on the business and my family name.
But I do feel my age. My old joints ache so and the cold seeps into my bones. Last night I had another of those dreams, a scary one this time. I dreamt that my boy is really a prince and that King Herod is out to murder him. When I woke I was trembling all over and although my reason told me not to be so stupid, I knew I just had to get us all away from the muck and mire and biting cold.
If we'd been able to find a hotel for the night, I don't think I would have paid quite so much attention to the dream. It's one thing having nightmares in a warm, comfortable bed, but quite another having them practically exposed to the elements in a draughty stable. The dream was just the push I needed to get on our way. We'd registered for the census, so were free to leave whenever we wished. And it's a lot warmer walking than it is just sitting around.
We'll have to walk for days. We have to cross the desert, always a risky business at the best of times. There are ravenous wild beasts in the hills, creeping closer to civilisation in the winter months and ready to attack anything which might be classed as food. But I'll light a fire each night which should keep them at bay. More dangerous are the robbers, wild men who attack and kill for a warm cloak or a donkey. We shall have to be very wary of them and pray for our Lord's protection.
We'll make our way to Egypt, land of our forefathers. My namesake, that Joseph of old, came from Egypt, so perhaps that's a good omen. He did well there. Perhaps I can set up my carpenter's business there and teach my boy how to handle wood. People always need good carpenters. We'll work together, my boy and I, as soon as he's old enough. Even as a baby he already has good hands. Long, sensitive fingers, ideal for shaping wood.
It's a strange thing. When I arranged this marriage with Joachim and Anna, I never expected to find love. I was only looking for a wife, someone to serve me as a man should be served. But Mary! She's the most beautiful, gentle creature I ever saw and I find this old heart overflowing with love for her and the child.
I have to hurry. I'm sure it can only be my over-fevered imagination, but I'm almost certain I heard the shouts and cries and stamping feet of soldiers in the distance. Was that dream real, after all? Is my son really a prince? What a mystery this is! But I will get them to Egypt. I'll protect them both for the whole of their lives. And who knows? Who knows what my boy might become?
Activity:
Take along some of your Christmas presents, the more amusing the better. And if you can reach members of the congregation prior to the service, ask them to bring along some of their presents too.
If you can, take one or two which are still wrapped.
Ask people to hold up their presents and pick out some of them to show the rest of the congregation. Let the children show their presents to the congregation. Unwrap your presents so that people can watch.
Talk about the reason for giving presents to each other -- the reason for the season. Ask what they think of the gift of a baby and point out that babies bring forth great feelings of love and protection and tenderness from other people. Point out too that babies are very vulnerable and will die if they're not cared for properly. They need everything done for them. What a privilege that is -- to be able to care for another human being in such a complete way.
Even more than that, God himself entered humanity that first Christmas. Before God had lived among people in a temple, but since that first Christmas God actually lives within human beings, part of them.
What a present!
Prayers:
Christmas God, you don't live within the building of the church but within each of us. Help us so to shine with your love that we are truly your church, a dwelling place fit for you.
Christmas God, at this time of peace and good will to all we continue to pray for lasting peace throughout the world. We pray especially for your Holy Land and the whole of the Middle East.
Christmas God, we ask your blessings today on all who have no faith in you. We pray for all who are unaware that they are living temples for your Spirit and for all who are sad or lonely at this time.
Christmas God, we pray for the sick asking you to lay your hands upon them. We remember before you especially ...
Blessing:
May God protect you from all evil
and anything that might hurt you.
May God flood your hearts and minds
with his Christmas spirit.
And may the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Be with you, be in your homes
And in your families,
With those whom you love
And with those for whom you pray,
Throughout this Christmas season and always. Amen.
