A Christmas Cracker Of Events, Happenings And Special Services So That Christmas Is Never Mis-spent E-Book

Robert Parker

• Herausgeber: Dolman Scott Publishers
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Seitenzahl: 171

Beschreibung

Worship in church can be very challenging, especially with young people. This book contains a range of services ideas designed especially for, but not only, young people. Many of those who lead worship in churches, schools, youth centres, etc, need to become very focussed on young people around Christmas time, but even when they think creatively, they have neither time nor the resources to implement their ideas. This book offers a wide 'off the peg' range of services/addresses for Advent and Christmas, through which we believe it possible to create a sense of wonder, awe and excitement. We hope that as worship leaders explore what follows, they will feel stimulated to dip into the contents offered and then create their own events and special services. As readers explore man's relationship with God, they will be led along paths that are as varied as the individual characteristics of those people. Each and every path leads to moments of personal discovery, and with these come satisfaction, great humour and joy. This book shares some of these awesome discoveries. The ideas that follow are an attempt to demonstrate how different congregations have explored the God/Man relationship and we hope the reader will be hugely stimulated and want to become creative in their own way; this is the main purpose for this book. The book is divided into 3 parts: Section 1 is an event which can fill the "Sermon Slot" in a family service or a school assembly whether it is a Eucharist or another form of worship. Section 2 is made up of a number of complete services, each of which stands in its own right. Section 3 contains some ideas for embellishing both Sections 1 & 2. These can also be used as standalone pieces or interwoven with other themes created by the reader.

Leseprobe

A CHRISTMAS

CRACKER OF EVENTS,

HAPPENINGS

... AND SPECIAL

SERVICES SO THAT

CHRISTMAS IS NEVER

MIS-SPENT

ROBERT PARKER

Published by Robert Parker 2022

Copyright © Robert Parker 2022

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright owner. Nor can it be circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without similar condition including this condition being imposed on a subsequent purchaser.

ISBN: 9798863248998

www.dolmanscott.co.uk

FOREWORD TO A CHRISTMAS CRACKER

Isn’t it remarkable? Here’s an old priest who’s still imaginative, still playful, still full of a sacred mischief. He’s “Tigger” in A. A. Milne. And he still, maybe more than ever, believes that the birth of the Christ is about all of us, that the Christ comes alive in us, by ‘peep’ and ‘popper’ all of the time. To put it another way, Robert Parker will never let the liturgies of the Church become burial rites. They’re about life; okay, life Good Friday by Good Friday, though Easter by Easter. Maybe, when we were kids, we didn’t get it. Now we do. All the better to make every Sunday a splurge of loving. That’s what A CHRISTMAS CRACKER is about.

A CHRISTMAS CRACKER, by title, announces “EVENTS, HAPPENINGS & SPECIAL SERVICES.” You could conclude that it’s a ‘how-to’’ book and put it down. Don’t. Ransack this book. To be very honest with you, this is a treatise about epistemology. Keep reading. This is a book about how we learn things, how we understand things, how we make those things useful for our living. It is not achieved passively. It’s achieved actively. In church, say, you dress up like Mary or Joseph or a shepherd or a Wise Man, you march around, you say things and sing, you wrap a box in Christmas paper and unwrap it to the Christ Child within. The memory, from childhood to old age, is in your eyes, in your ears, in your nose, in your hands and feet. It’s part of you, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually. It’s somehow you, accessible whenever – or especially – when darkness falls and you’re down.

In A CHRISTMAS CRACKER, Robert Parker will tell you how to. He knows how to. I think you’d be smart to give some things a try. There’s a lot to be gained.

I incite you to get going with this book, all the way back to “Epoch 1 – Hell on Earth” and “Epoch 2 – The Birth of Christ.” This is powerful stuff. Robert gets passionate here; he’s poetic. There’s terror (“PAIN”) and there’s a hope that turns to salvation. If the problem of Christianity is “to convert Christians to it,” as Soren Kierkegard said, here’s something that will do it. I plan to use “Epoch 1“ and “Epoch 2” with an adult group I lead.

I know the author, Robert Parker, well. And I’d like to know the author of his life and mine better than I do. A CHRISTMAS CRACKER will urge me on. Mid-way through this book, I realized that it’s a treasure. It’s far more than one man’s learning and one man’s inventions. It’s about one man’s soul.

The Rt. Rev. John S. Thornton (Retired bishop of Idaho).

Christmas is exciting, and when it comes to worship in Church or school, it can also be very challenging. Over many years of leading worship I have discovered that it is possible to create a sense of wonder, awe and excitement within these services. When it happens it is extremely thrilling for all concerned, and when a great number of youngsters of all ages are involved, it can be quite electrifying. I felt that I would like to share some of my experiences with you. I hope that as you read what follows you will feel stimulated to create your own events and special services but will perhaps wish to borrow extensively from all that follows. I also hope that you will enjoy yourselves immensely.

As we explore our relationship with God, people are led along paths that are as varied as the individual characteristics and ideas of each person. Each and every path can lead to moments of personal discovery, and with these discoveries comes satisfaction, great humour and joy.

I think that he has just had a moment of personal discovery

The ideas that follow are an attempt to demonstrate how different congregations have explored the God/Man relationship. For some readers, these events and the methods used to drive them may give no insight at all into the meaning of Christmas, but for others I hope that they will be hugely stimulated and want to become creative in their own way – and that is the main purpose of this book.

The book is divided into 3 parts:

Section 1 is an event which can fill the “Sermon Slot” in a family service or a school assembly, whether it is a Eucharist or another form of worship. It can be at any time of day: morning, afternoon or evening. Some of this section needs almost no preparation and could be a great boon to the overburdened parson, headmaster or preacher who, after years of dedicated work, feels that he or she is either “drying up”: or lacks the time to search for, and / or create, new ideas.

I wish the vicar would stop all these stupid surprises ... and just  get on with the service!

Section 2. This section is made up of a number of complete services, each of which can stand in its own right. The first two services in this section are presented with guidelines as to how to develop them. The other four are actual services and are presented just as they have occurred, and are therefore reproduced in full. In this way, the reader can see why and how they happened.

I would expect that most of those who choose to use one or more of them will wish to make massive changes and adaptations to suit their own particular situation. I invite you to use any one of the services in full if you wish to do so, or merely to take it as the germ of an idea, to be developed and used in whatever appropriate way resonates with you and in your own setting.

Section 3. This section contains some ideas for embellishing both sections 1 & 2 or simply using them on their own. Many of these ideas can also be interwoven with other themes created by the reader. These ideas, just like the sermon slots and the services, have brought a huge amount of joy and fun to the great many people with whom I have shared them. But please, please, don’t be bound by what I have done. Use the book in your own way to reach out to others, and so engage with them as they try to find and explore their own relationship with God.

CONTENTS

SECTION 1

Section

Description

Possible days / Sundays for use

1

Prepare ye the Way of the Lord

Advent Sunday

2

Advent Candles

Advent 1,2,3,4

3

Seven Candles of Failure

Advent 1,4

4

Christmas Gifts

Advent 2,3,4

5

The Watchers over Bethlehem

Advent 4

6

The Peace at Christmas

Advent/Christmas/Midnight Services

7

God’s Family

Christmas Day

8

Communication

Christmas Day

9

Pass the Parcel

Christmas Day

10

Happy Birthday, Jesus

Christmas Day

11

And the Word was Made Flesh

Christmas Day

12

Throwaway Wrapping

Christmas & Sunday after

13

Christingle

Christmas & Sunday after

14

The (Un)Intentional Mistake

Christmas & Sunday after

15

Christmas Decorations

Christmas & Sunday after

16

Magnesium

Christmas & Sunday after

17

Find the Hidden Christ

Epiphany

18

The Wise Men’s Journey

Epiphany Sunday

SECTION 2

Section

Description

19

The Blessing of the Crib

For aged 3- to 8-year-olds & adults

20

Christmas Round the World

For school age

21

A Tale of Four Kings

For school age to adult

22

Ring Out Those Bells

For school age to adult

23

Hell or Hope at Christmas

For school age to adult

24

From God to Man

For school age to adult

SECTION 3:MISCELLANEOUS IDEAS

Section

Description

Music & MovementCarols

Movement to DrumbeatParties

VideosMusic Again

Games

Puppet Shows

Jigsaws

12 Days of Christmas

Invitation to Church

And Finally the Registration Card

SECTION 1

NO 1 ~ PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD

Theme

Have you ever asked yourself the question ‘How does one put across to children the idea that, at the beginning of time, there was darkness?’ (the Bible tells us ‘There was darkness over the water’); that there was no life, nothing at all … just emptiness; The universe, as it then existed at the very beginning of time, was black, empty and desolate. It needed God to breathe into this emptiness the power of life, through His Spirit. His power came into the nothingness, and as that happened so began creation … Indeed, Christians believe this ‘breathing of God’s spirit’ had to happen for there ever to be any kind of creation or life at all. So how does one put across that concept, and how does one share that idea with a child? Well, perhaps we begin by exploring the fact that all of us … even children, experience moments of great darkness or deep despair … a time when it feels as if God is absent … And that is like nothingness, or ‘pre-creation’ …

1.  Turn off every light so that the Church is in complete darkness, there is inky blackness everywhere

For the Native tribes of America, fear and evil and death are represented by total darkness. The North American Natives won’t go out at night because they believe that evil roams abroad. (Read the poem Hiawatha)

2.  Light a taper, and then from it, one single candle in the Chancel

Creation is the coming of life and light. Creation is the bringing of order from chaos. It is God breathing his Spirit of Life into the darkness. Then, this Spirit of Life is passed on into our own individual persona; into our bodies and into our minds and spirit, and this ‘persona’ is created in us whether we are Christians or have another faith, or none at all. Because of Christmas, we Christians believe that Jesus has been sent into the world as the Saviour … the Bible uses the word ‘Christ’ as the one who comes as the light of the world, to bring a new meaning to Creation. The Creative process was begun by God, at the very first moment in time. And so creation was begun, and our world, our solar system, our galaxy (of which there are many) was a part of this creation. Many millions of years after the creative process began, Jesus comes to our world at Christmas, the darkest time of the year, to bring light to the world. As Christians we believe that he came to save the world from the ‘darkness’.

The darkness represents evil, sin and selfishness; Jesus comes to bring a new, vivid, and startling light, so that all the people of the world can see God and come to God. Yet, sadly, many people are afraid to face this light (God) because they know that once they are bathed in the light of God, that their dark lives of sin and selfishness might be exposed. If that happens, it means that their dark lives will be exposed to all the people around them, and to God himself. For that reason, they prefer to operate in darkness, so that their sin, their failure, is hidden or covered up.

3. Ask everyone to stand and then turn away from the light and turn back again to face it, and do this three times

However, at various times in our lives most of us realise that there are dark situations that we are facing when we need light to live, and so we turn back to God. Turning round to face God is the literal interpretation of the word “repentance”. This process brings new life to all. This new life is infectious, catching, spreading, and creative. It is life, and just like a brilliant light (a meteor entering the Earth’s atmosphere) can be spread to the four corners of the earth.

4.  The light then spreads from the Chancel to the whole Church as first a number of people standing in the aisle light a taper, and then, moving through the Church, everyone present lights their own candle (or night light) from the tapers which have taken their light from the one lighted candle in the chancel

Has anyone in the congregation got a match?

Drama / Presentation

The Church in darkness – totally black

One light in the Chancel

People turn to face the light, turn away from the light, and then repeat this three times

The light is then spread from the Chancel, through the whole Church(It is passed from person to person, each holding a candle / taper / night light)

Visual Aids / Props Needed

Candles, tapers, matches

Optional: one candle or light for everyone

Alternatively, use the Church main lights, instead of candles if necessary, turning them on in different parts of the Church at the appropriate moment

NO 2 ~ ADVENT CANDLES

Theme

Paula was born in Frankfurt, Germany. She came to England just before the First World War began to train to be a nurse. She stayed in an English home, living with an English family. On the first Advent Sunday that she was here, she went to her room to fetch her ‘Advent Candles’ which she had brought with her from Germany and took them down to show her English hosts.

The English couple had never seen anything like this before. Paula explained to the fascinated pair that each of the candles represented one of the Sundays in Advent and symbolised the nearness of the coming of Christ. She explained that the celebration of the birth of Jesus was only four weeks away, and now was the time to start preparing for His coming.

The first candle, to be lit on the first Sunday of Advent, symbolised that God was coming to the earth as a man. (Light first candle)

God gives light to the world.

The second candle reminds us of where we look to find out what God has done through history and is still doing today (light second candle). We refer to the Bible, and we call this day Bible Sunday. The Bible is revered as the word of God. We use the Bible both in Church and at home, because it explains the way that God has shown to mankind what kind of God He is, and how men and women have responded to the revelation of Himself, and all that He has done, and still does today.

On the third Sunday the theme revolves around the cousin of Jesus who was named John. Later he was called John the Baptist, and this is how the Bible refers to him. John the Baptist calls every one of us to prepare for the coming of Jesus (light third candle). So, if John called us to prepare, How do we do it?

We use puddings, presents, Christmas tree, cakes, and carols. Yes, of course … and all that is good. But our preparation must also include looking at what we ourselves have become, all our mistakes and failings … and if we do that properly then we should feel the emotion called ‘repentance’ … The meaning of that word is literally … ‘Turn round and face God.’ We must therefore prepare a way for God – and for Jesus – to come into our hearts.

We can’t properly prepare unless we know in our hearts that we are expectant (pregnant) that we both want and expect God to come into our lives (just in the same way a mother knows that she is going to have a baby, and so prepares for the baby that she is expecting).

The fourth Sundayin Advent reminds us that Christmas is now very near (light fourth candle). It reminds us that we should now make sure that we are finally ready and make our last acts of preparation. If we get all this right, and done in good time, then we have a better chance of being ready for Christmas

Day itself, for the birth of Christ. If we have prepared properly, we will understand that Christ has a light whose power overshadows all other lights, and that power will enter our hearts and minds.

Aids Needed

Candles, children, Advent wreath, involvement; these are powerful aids for our worship.

N.B. The collects from the Prayer Book used during the first Sunday in Advent corresponds with the theme illustrated by the first candle, the second with the second, etc. This is a powerful method of teaching / aid to learning, and can be used with children of all ages, and adults as well.

Have you got a ladder, vicar?

Drama / Presentation

The four candles for Advent should be placed on or near the Altar or lectern or some other strategic point in the Church where everyone has a good view, and remain unlit for the address. At each section of the talk a different child is invited to light one of the candles. The intensity of the light increases as each candle is lit, pointing us to the fact that the birth is getting closer and closer. The nearness of the Christmas event … the birth of Jesus … is now just around the corner.

Visual Aids

A simple set of ‘Advent Candles’ consisting of metal holders for four candles, angels, bells, etc., can be purchased from many department stores, otherwise a simply decorated board bearing four candles, or even four candles placed at advantageous positions in the Church … matches, tapers, candle, Bible, children.

Notes The Advent Candle theme can either be used on the first Sunday of Advent or can be used as a basis for four talks during the four Sundays of Advent, lighting one additional candle each week. Families quite often enjoy making their own set of Advent Candles and lighting them during Sunday lunch times at home.

NO 3 ~ THE SEVEN CANDLES  OF FAILURE

Theme and Preparation

In an attempt to portray my message, I decided to use seven candles in the shape of a cross in the aisle or choir, held aloft by children, initially alight, and then extinguished one by one. (The seven lights were extinguished one by one as we thought about our various failures.) We remembered that seven human failures were brought before Christ, and that he transformed or changed them. By extinguishing these candles of failure, we created a visual reminder that no matter how often we fail, and no matter in how many different ways, Jesus gives us the chance of new life (and at this point in my narrative the candles were then relit). As we prepare for Christmas, and get ready for the coming of Christ, it is important to look at some of the ways that those who were close to Jesus failed him. He was so often let down by those who were closest to him. Very often we focus on how people have let us down, but we should also focus on the fact that we too fail those around us. It can sometimes be in these same or similar ways that those around Jesus failed him 2000 years ago. As a part of our Advent preparation, we should offer our failures to God, and ask that they be transformed by His love.

Candle 1