For all those for whom they have a tender and surrendered faith because of all they have gone through.
Because you cannot surrender until you’ve been through a battle and so for all those who have felt like Advent Christmas or just Living has been a battle this year I want to pray the prayer of thanksgiving
that you are still here you are beloved and God is with you–
And I hope you have found yourself in the Christmas story whether it is in Mary, not so meek, Joseph conflicted but quietly obedient Magi, shepherd, even if it is the donkey, the innkeeper or the star
I hope and pray that you find a corner to belong in Because this is your story too
But if you do not, know, that’s ok Maybe the space for you is in the silence or the darkness of the night or the wavering light of the candle
God I hope you know that God is here God is with you God loves you no matter what
And that is what makes Christmas Especially when you feel tender and like you have to give up May God hold you in the Palm of God’s hand Whenever and wherever that happens
Amen.
Feel free to use/share/adapt with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta and if you quote the tweet be sure to credit Traci Rhoades and Rev. Jes Last
Please Support my Writing, I am Funding some of my Doctorate in Creative Writing as a Public Theologian through donations https://gofund.me/554d36e3 Thank you to all those who have donated, I have successfully completed 2 years thanks to your support.
Please Support my Writing, I am Funding some of my Doctorate in Creative Writing as a Public Theologian through donationshttps://gofund.me/554d36e3 Thank you to all those who have donated, I have successfully completed 2 years thanks to your support.
Characters: Mr Tumnus, Lucy, Narrator (Can be Played By Lucy), Mrs Beaver (Can be played by Mr Tumnus) Two Friends, Mary (non-speaking), Other Nativity Characters (Optional), All reading parts can be read from lecterns.
Congregation says Merry Christmas and Aslan Unfreeze Christmas: Can be pompted by one of the Lead Characters without a script
Narrator: Here Are theInstructions everyone, when the music stops, please Freeze, when the music starts, you can unfreeze!
(Music Starts)
Mrs. Beaver Here in Narnia we are having a hard time. It is always winter; Always winter and never Christmas.
Mr. Tumnus: I am excited though, because I have invited my new friend Lucy from the Land of Spare Oom over to Tea—and the Queen has Not found out about our friendship.
(Music Stops)
For some reason the Queen hates humans. Oh no look everyone is Frozen You are all frozen out there.
Lucy: Oh no look, what happened?
Mr. Tumnus: They must have been celebrating without the Queen’s permission and she turned them into stone.
Aslan (Someone holding a Stuffed Lion walks on stage): Roar
Mr Tumnus & Lucy: Aslan Unfreezes Christmas
(Everyone Unfreezes, Music Starts)
(Aslan exits)
Mr Tumnus: Oh my gifts and packages! That must have been Aslan! Unfreezing their hearts for Christmas!
Lucy: Merry Christmas
Congregation: Merry Christmas
Scene 2
(Music Stops)
(Two People frozen back to back)
Mr Tumnus: Oh dear I do not like the look of this, this does not look of this, we must be following the Queen’s winter.
Aslan—(can be a different person playing Aslan—roars and unfreezing them Music Starts)
Congregation: Aslan Unfreezes Christmas
1st Friend—I’ve been looking for you everywhere
2nd Friend-I’m so glad I’ve found you
(the two people hug)
Scene 3
(Music Stops)
Girl Holding a Babydoll by a manger Frozen
(Other people can be other characters in a manger scene as is appropriate/easy or not or can come on to sing)
Ms. Beaver: I remember this story
Mr. Tumnus: Yes the White Witch really is preventing Christmas now, by freezing this one.
Aslan (again can be the same person or someone different) roars to unfreeze the girl Music Starts)
Congregation: Aslan Unfreezes Christmas
Girl puts the babydoll into the manger
Congreation: Merry Christmas
Everyone comes onstage: to sing (with the congregation if you choose)
Reader to close: Aslan has truly unfrozen Christmas, Look! For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders—and he is named, wonderful counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
Aslan: Roars One last Time
Silent Night or Away in the Manger or Your Favorite Christmas Hymn for Everyone to Sing
See Also: Advent Prayer (which might be good to add in/replace)
This is a Meditative Worship for those who need Comfort over the Christmas Season. It may take place at anytime, even in place of Christmas Eve if service if that is (perhaps) too painful for you this year. You can do this without any supplies or with candle(s) to light. (If you have an Advent Wreath you may wish to light it up to the week you are at and add a Comfort candle)
***
A Prayer For an Empty Advent:
God,
I’m reminded again
that it’s ok that Advent
is empty
Wasn’t Mary’s Magnificat
about filling up the empty
with Good things!
Weren’t the Angels Sent
to gift the silent world
with Holy Songs?
Wasn’t the whole and entire point?
To fill the world a little more with the love of God.
To put Jesus physically, right here on Earth!
God, remind us that it’s not only ok, but traditional to feel empty at Advent.
And if we are trudging, the long trudge, especially this year,
please send the Holy Spirit to trudge with us we pray.
And to remind us, it’s ok if Advent feels empty this year.
God, for those of us who haven’t felt like putting up a tree,
or hanging garlands–those of us who have only half heartedly decorated
Or not decorated at all–
It’s ok. We can blue, and sad.
You don’t need any festooning.
You don’t need any bells or whistles.
You are God.
Present in the very midst of Sorrow–
Isn’t that why we light the candles? Because sometime we need the reminders
that you are present, especially when we cannot see Hope, Peace, Joy or Love in the World?
That’s why today we are lighting an extra candle in our hearts. The candle of Comfort. For you–Wonderful Counselor, promise that with Christ too.
Amen
Picture Thanks to Rev Erin A. Jacobson Reading of Isaiah 40:1, Isaiah 55:1,11
Isaiah 40: 1, 55: 1, 11
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Comfort Ye My People
Comfort Ye My People from “The Messiah” Magnificat Remixed
Magnificat Remix: (Based on Luke 1:46-55)
Holy is our God, How Holy is our God that we are able to Magnify Xem in our tiny acts?
God’s Mercy is plentiful, bringing comfort to generation upon generation.
Scattering those who think they have power, and empowering those feel emptied out!
God always, always remembers God’s promises.
God sends the rich away hungry, and fills the hungry with good things.
God brings those who sits on thrones down, and lifts up those who are low in spirit.
This is the God we worship and love, the God, wonderful Counselor, the Abundant God, the Guardian of Peace.
This is our comfort, Fill us up God, especially when we feel desolate, we pray.
Lighting of the Comfort Candle Candle (if you chose you may light a candle at home)
Closing Prayer:
Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ be with me. Amen*
Benediction: May you make it through this Christmas knowing there are no requirements. Instead, may God Console and Comfort You and may Christ’s Peace be with you. Amen.
Picture Thanks to Rev. A. Erin Jacobson
***
My Thanks to Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl and Rev. Marie O’Connell for the inspiration for this Virtual Worship and Rev. Erin A Jacobson for contributing the images
Ascribe to the Lord, all the glory due God’s Name!
We will Worship God in holy splendor with all the earth!
Prayer of Confession: God, we confess that we are not always full of the good news. Sometimes we stop short of sharing God with others. We are uncertain about how to share, or are afraid of how to frame our faith. Teach us to share Christ in a loving and compassionate way we pray, Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: God is good, all the time. Hear the good news: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God, teach us the good news, remind us of it everyday we pray. Amen.
Children: What do you good with good news? Who would you tell the good news to first? How is good news spread? Also a great Resource: An Unexpected Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM1XusYVqNY
If you find these resources useful please consider contributing to my Doctorate in Ministry in Creative Writing!
My soul waits, for with God is the power to redeem!
I wait for God, more than those who are waiting for the morning
Come, let us wait for the joy that comes with God!
Confession: God, I confess that sometimes I confuse abiding joy with the fleeting feeling of happiness. Sometimes I forget the you are working for joy to the entire world. You want every single person to be able to experience security–food, shelter, companionship. I confess that I am not always working towards that goal. Help me to build a kingdom where everyone can experience deep and abiding joy. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: God loves us and forgives us. Let proclaim the joy with truth: In Jesus Christ we are forgive.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God, let us remember that our God is a God of Joy. Our God does not dictate unnecessary suffering, but instead wants love and peace. Help us to hold onto that we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession: God we are thirsty for your presence, because we know when we get it our purpose will become clear, and our need to pursue and accumulate anything and everything will disappear, and we will finally, finally be at peace. But God, we confess, we are not at peace yet, we continue to thirst for more, we continue long for all that we do not yet possess. Forgive us, and help us to see the feast you set before us and to be satisfied, we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Christ’s mercy is from everlasting to everlasting, we are already forgiven. Let us glory in the good news; In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of Dedication/Day: God you are enough. Let us remember and dedicate ourselves to you today and everyday we pray. Amen.
God you know our questions before we even ask them, we are struggling this year, can these bones live, only you know
And you reassure us, saying that you will send us the Word we need
Give us the word of Hope, we need
Come let us gather around the Word of the Lord
Confession: God, we confess that we do not know if these bones can live. Sometimes, we cannot even ask the questions about resurrection. We are too busy struggling along. We confess that we are weary to bone. Weary of the evils of the weary, weary of injustice, weary of illness, weary of sorry. We confess that we forget to ask for hope. Forgive us, and teach us to see and know that you are already at work in the world. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Jesus Christ is the Hope of the World, assuring us of the truth that we can tell one another: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God, the struggle is real, because you are already here, making things happen. Remind us of your presence, from our first breath. Inspire us with your Holy Spirit, and encourage us as we need it we pray. Amen.
Advent Candle Suggestion: In our Church we do Candles as our Children’s Time, We have our small collection of children light the candles youngest to eldest (whoever is there), those who haven’t gone go first. It is impromptu, not planned. It saves on having to schedule and ensures that the candles are lit and we spend children’s time explaining the meaning of the candle and how it relates the story of the week. If you don’t have children, I bet you could do this with your deacons as well.
Week 1: Hope/Prophesy
God you whisper to us, when we dare not hope suggesting to us the impossible
Mortal do you think these bones can live?
God it is in your multitude of knowledge, that we say the answer back to you, you know
Speak hope to the bones
We will speak hope together
Come let us speak the hope of the Holy Spirit today, and Live!
Lighting Hymns: Live Into Hope, Taize: Bless the Lord my Soul, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (v. 1)
Week 2: Peace/Purpose
God promises that all those who thirsts will drink, all those who hunger will be fed
Come, the banquet is set, all are invited
Truly peace shall reign, for everyone shall have enough
Come, and listen, so that you may live. I will make you an everlasting covenant
Who wants to taste and See the Lord?
Come, let us practice this peace today and everyday
Your joy shines through troubles, more than just happiness, God’s Word is life sustaining Joy!
All things come to being through God, and without God not one thing came into being.
Each of us have a spark of that joy within us!
Come let us renew our joy with God!
Hymns: O Come O Come Emmanuel v. 2, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence v. 2 & 3, Joy to the World Taize: The Kingdom of God, O Come All Ye Faithful
Week 4: Love/Good News
Hymns: The First Nowell, What Child is This
God we are thankful you unleashed your love into the world
Good News has come
There is nothing like the love of God
Filling the world with good news
Reminding us that hope, joy and peace are possible, fulfilling the promises of the covenant
Come let us whisper that God is coming soon!
Hymn Suggestions: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence v. 1 & 4, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus v 3 & 4, O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go, Of the Father’s Love Begotten, Taize: Magnificat
Christmas
All is well, Christ is here
Hear the Good News of Great Joy.
Christ has come, the baby is here!
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Guardian, the Heir of Peace!
Come let us worship the Lord
Glory to God, One Earth Peace, and Goodwill towards humankind!
Prayer of Confession: God we confess that sometimes your instructions confuse us. You tell us both to live our lives and to look towards heaven. You know we are only human, so it is difficult for us to do both at the same time. Forgive us when we get distracted or confuse. Remind us that practicing hope, and peace here on earth is worth it. And help us when we go astray, we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: God’s love is from everlasting to everlasting, know the truth in your heart: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
Prayer of the Day/Dedication: God it is a good thing you are the Prince of peace, and that you leave pieces of it for us to follow, because we definitely need help on that. Guide us to your peace today and everyday we pray. Amen.
Hymns: Take My Life, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, O For a Closer Walk with God, Abide with Me, Lord Make Us Servants of Your Peace
Children: God promises peace. Ask the children to imagine what peace is like–help them to imagine peace as creativity not just silence or stillness. Discuss how we might practice peace now.
If you find these resources useful please consider contributing to my Doctorate in Ministry in Creative Writing!
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