Children’s Christmas Eve Service

Speaker: Pastor Matthew Ude Festival: Christmas Tags: Christmas / christmas eve Passages: Luke 2:1-19

 

DVDs or Digital Video Files of the Children’s service are available. Please contact Pastor Ude.

 

Did You Know?

A Children’s Christmas Service

by Carrie Schaefer

 

Congregation Processional Hymn: “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful” (TLH 102)

 

1  Oh, come, all ye faithful, triumphantly sing;

Come, see in the manger our Savior and King!

To Bethlehem hasten with joyful accord;

Refrain:

Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him,

Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

 

2  True Son of the Father, He comes from the skies;

To be born of a virgin He doth not despise.

To Bethlehem hasten with joyful accord;

Refrain

 

3  Hark, hark, to the angels all singing in heaven,

“To God in the highest all glory be given!”

To Bethlehem hasten with joyful accord;

Refrain

 

4  To Thee, then, O Jesus, this day of Thy birth

Be glory and honor through heaven and earth,

True Godhead incarnate, omnipotent Word!

Refrain

 

Pre-School “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”  (Luke 2:15)

 

Song: “Away in a Manger”

 

1  Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

 

2  The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.

I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,

And stay by my cradle until morning is nigh.

 

3  Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay

Close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in your tender care,

And take us to heaven to live with you there.

 

Part 1: The Prophecies Foretold Jesus’ Birth

 

Narration:

Ella Did you know that it’s already been more than two thousand years since that first Christmas? Imagine how many things have changed since then! You may not even realize what that night in Bethlehem was like. Today (tonight) we would like to take you back to the first Christmas to get a better idea of what Jesus’ birthday really was like.

 

Ella Most people know about nine months in advance that they are going to have a baby. But did you know that people knew about Jesus’ coming at least three thousand years before he was actually born? The first time people heard about Jesus was when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, which meant all mankind would be sinful humans for the rest of time. The only way to solve this problem was to have a Savior come into the world, live a perfect life, and die for us. Genesis 3:15 has the first promise of a Savior.

 

Recitation:

Jeremy And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel. (Genesis 3:15)

 

Narration:

Isaac But that’s not the only time God promised this gift. There are many other times in the Old Testament where we hear about the Savior that would come to rescue us. For example, we read about it in Genesis chapter 49 when God tells us that the Savior would come from Judah’s line of descendants.

 

Recitation:

Hayden The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. (Genesis 49:10)

 

Narration:

Kaleb   Another time God told Isaiah that the mother of Jesus, Mary, would be a virgin.

 

Recitation:

Madelyn Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

 

Narration:

Liam Later in the Old Testament the prophet Micah says that the Savior would not be born in a castle or some huge city, but, rather, he would be born in a small town called Bethlehem.

 

Recitation:

Elli     But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting. (Micah 5:2)

 

Narration:

Alyssa Over the course of three thousand years God gave this promise many times, and we are reminded again and again that God kept his promise then and he still keeps his promises today.

 

Hymn: #710 – “Once in Royal David’s City” –

Children 1  Once in royal David’s city Stood a lowly cattle shed,

Where a mother laid her baby In a manger for his bed;

Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.

 

2  He came down to earth from heaven Who is God and Lord of all,

And his shelter was a stable, And his cradle was a stall;

With the poor and mean and lowly Lived on earth our Savior holy.

 

Congregation 3  But our eyes at last shall see him Through his own redeeming love,

For that child, so dear and gentle, Is our Lord in heav’n above,

As he leads his children on To the place where he is gone.

 

4  Not in that poor, lowly stable With the oxen standing by

Shall we see him, but in heaven, Set at God’s right hand on high.

Then like stars his children crowned, All in white, his praise will sound.

 

Part 2: The Birth of Jesus

 

Narration:

Owen Did you know that it’s about 80 miles from Nazareth, where Mary and Joseph lived, to Bethlehem? That’s about how far it is from Milwaukee to Markesan. It would only take us about an hour and a half to get there, but it may have taken Mary and Joseph a few days to walk that distance! We hear more about their journey in Luke chapter 2.

 

Recitation:

3 – 5 grade And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.  Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. (Luke 2:1-5)

 

Narration:

Carter Can you imagine what that trip might have felt like for Mary? She was just about to have a baby! We can imagine that the only way she could have endured that kind of a trip at that point of her pregnancy was by God’s grace. We can be comforted, as I’m sure Mary was, by the words of Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an very present help in trouble.” Luke continues by telling us of Jesus’ birth.

 

Recitation:

K – 2  grade So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.   And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6,7)

 

Narration:

Keegan Did you notice that the Bible doesn’t actually say that Jesus was born in a barn? It says that he was placed in a manger, or feeding trough, for animals. These words tell us that Jesus was not born in a palace where a king normally would have begun his life. Instead, we see how Christ willingly began his life in a place where not even a poor individual would be born.  

 

All Children Hymn: #711 “See In Yonder Manager Low”

 

1  See in yonder manager low, Born for us on earth below,
See the gentle Lamb appears, Promised from eternal years.
Refrain:

Hail the ever blessed morn; Hail redemption’s happy dawn;
Sing through all Jerusalem, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

 

2  Lo, within a stable lies He who built the starry skies,

He who, throned in height sublime, Sits amid the cherubim

Refrain

 

3  Sacred Infant, all divine, What a tender love was Thine,

Thus to come from highest bliss Down to such a world as this.

Refrain

 

4  Teach, oh, teach us, holy Child, By Thy face so meek and mild

Teach us to resemble Thee In Thy sweet humility.

Refrain

 

Part 3: The Shepherds Hear About the Birth of Jesus

 

Narration:

Hayden Did you know that shepherds at this time were very low in society? The only thing they were trusted with was the sheep! Isaiah even compares them to nomads, people who wander from one place to another. Usually when a baby is born, all the important people hear about it first: Grandma, Grandpa, aunts, uncles, and so on. But God chose these lowly shepherds to be the first to hear this wonderful message. Why? Perhaps using these men shows us that this is news everyone should hear! Let us hear how the angels gave them the exciting message.

 

Recitation:

6th – 8th grade Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.   And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”  

 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  

 

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”  

 

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  

 

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  

 

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  

 

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (Luke 2:8-20)

 

Narration:

Carson Did you hear how everyone responded to this news? The angels praised God in a united chorus, the shepherds ran to spread the news, and Mary treasured these things in her heart. As you can see, there are many different ways to show your excitement on this special day. How are you going to share the message?

 

Congregation Hymn: “Angels We Have Heard on High” (CW 63)

( insert “Angels We Have Heard on High”  from hymn folder)

 

Part 4: The Wise Men Are Led to the Savior

 

Narration:

Anikah This message was proclaimed to the simplest of men, the shepherds, but it was also shared with some very important and intelligent men, the Magi from the east. Unfortunately, there is a lot we don’t know about the Magi. We don’t know exactly when they came to worship Jesus, we don’t know how many there were, and we don’t know what country they came from.

 

The Magi may have left their homes on the day Jesus was born, but we do know, based on certain facts the Bible gives us, that they didn’t arrive in Judea until at least a few months after his birth.

 

Perhaps this shows us the importance of praising Jesus throughout the year, not just on Christmas!

 

Ava We also are told that the Magi came from the east; however, the Bible doesn’t tell us which country. This is a story that every person on earth needs to hear.  Matthew recorded this event.

 

Recitation:

Leah Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1,2)

 

Karlys And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.

 

Savannah   And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)

 

Song: “I Am So Glad When Christmas Comes” (CW 51)

 

K – 4 grades 1  I am so glad when Christmas comes,

The night of Jesus’ birth,

When Bethl’em’s star shone as the sun,

And angels sang on earth.

 

2  The little child of Bethlehem,

He was a king indeed!

For he came down from heav’n above

To help a world in need.

 

3 – 8 grades 3  He lives again in heaven’s realm,

The Son of God today;

And still he loves his little ones

And hears them when they pray.

 

4  I, too, shall sing my Savior’s praise,

My joy, my crown, my Lord;

For he has made me his own child

By water and the Word.

 

All 5  And so I love each Christmas Eve,

And I love Jesus, too;

And that he loves me ev’ry day

I know so well is true.

St. 1, 4 © 1982 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. www.cph.org.

St. 2, 3, 5 © 1931 Augsburg Publishing House. All rights reserved.  Reprinted by permission of Augsburg Fortress.

 

Part 5: The Good News of Jesus Is for All

 

Narration:  

Jeremy Did you know that Jesus didn’t have to come into the world? After Adam and Eve fell into sin God could have just called it quits and started over. But instead, Jesus left his heavenly kingdom to be born on this earth. He lived a perfect life here on earth, he died on the cross, and he rose three days later. And he did it all because he loves us. God wants us to share this amazing news with the rest of the world. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples:

 

Recitation:

Elijah Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19)

 

Isaac teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. (Matthew 28:20)

 

Narration:

Austin Did you also know that Christ will return again someday? In the last book of the Bible, Jesus says,

 

Alex “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. . . . Surely I am coming quickly.”  (Revelation 22:16,20).

 

Evan We joyfully look forward to his return when He will deliver us from our sin, death and the power of the Devil. “For all of which it is our duty to thank, praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true.”

 

Hymn: “Mary, Did You Know?” by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene

 

Offering and Offering Hymn #55:2-3

 

2. Enter now my waiting heart,

Glorious King and Lord most holy.

Dwell in me and ne’er depart,

Though I am but poor and lowly.

Ah, what riches will be mine

When Thou art my Guest Divine!

 

3. My hosannas and my palms

Graciously receive, I pray Thee;

Evermore, as best I can,

Savior, I will homage pay Thee,

And in faith I will embrace,

Lord, Thy merit through Thy grace.

 

Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

 

Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

 

The Benediction

 

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

 

♫A-men  A-men  A-men.

 

Congregation Recessional Hymn: Joy to the World ( TLH 87 )

 

1  Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing.

 

2  Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ,

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy.

 

3  No more let sins and sorrows grow

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found.

 

4  He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness

And wonders of His love.