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Christmas Eve

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by Tom Bryant, Sep 1, 2009.

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  1. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    What do your churches do for Christmas Eve services? We do 2. I am hoping to "tweak" it a little so we're not always doing the same. Ours last between 30-40 minutes. We have sung carols, short message, candlelight Lord's Supper service and then light the candles as we sing Silent Night.

    Any ideas?
     
    #1 Tom Bryant, Sep 1, 2009
  2. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    We have a song service that have traditional Christmas hymns sung. There isn't a big message but we use different forms of communication (through music, choir, video, etc) to tell the story. Often we keep the mood dignified and also offer communion. It usually last about 90 minutes. :)

    This is one of the best times for the choir to be part of service for us and to really use our musicians well. The focus is on worshipping together and celebrating Christ. We try not to focus on the preaching this night.
     
    #2 preachinjesus, Sep 1, 2009
  3. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    We do worship, readings, drama/dance, communion then the candlelighting "Silent Night". Here are three of the drama/dance things we did this last year:

    My two daughters are in this one. My oldest has the blue streamer and my younger has the pink one.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hb04Bmc_A&feature=channel_page

    In this one, my two younger children are involved. My baby is the girl on the very left who puts her actual security blanket on the baby doll and my son is on the right who puts his stuffed lamb at the side of the manger.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdKvqsnneGU&feature=channel_page

    Finally none of my children were involved in this but it was very moving anyway. ;)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_TRQNmB4PM&feature=channel_page

    If you're interested, I can try to get the "script" we used for the evening. The woman who puts these together does a most amazing job and it brings the glory of Christ's birth right into the congregation.
     
    #3 annsni, Sep 1, 2009
  4. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    Let's see over the years....

    The two most recent churches I have been involved with have one or two Christmas Eve services which may (or may not) involve singing of songs, including Christmas songs, candle and lightings, the Lord's Supper, skits, readings, preaching.
     
    #4 SaggyWoman, Sep 9, 2009
  5. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    I did one where There was a progression toward serious. Start with a light carol/song, testimonies of most fun Christmas - poem or reading - testimony of most meaningful Christmas etc. Some of the older folks had some really neat accounts from their far past.
     
    #5 exscentric, Sep 9, 2009
  6. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    Tom, I think you're on the right track. I wouldn't feel the need to try to be different just for difference sake. It's Christmas Eve. We need a refocusing on the fullness of time coming (Gal 4:4-5). I would say this: keep it brief. 30 minutes is probably plenty. People have a ton of things happening on Christmas Eve. Here in Appalachia, many people have their Christmas on Christmas Eve. So it's hard to do almost anything. So don't feel the need to go long or be constantly evolving. It's Christmas Eve. I like the carols with Lord's Supper and a devotion. If you have the luxury of a full blown service, go for it, assuming you don't have a Christmas day service. If you want some variety, talk to some Methodist or Presby ministers. They do something every Christmas Eve, so they have to have some ideas (I've gotten some great insights on Lord's Supper services from CoCs or DoCs who observe it every Sunday)

    Hope this wasn't a complete waste of space.
     
    #6 TomVols, Sep 10, 2009
  7. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    I agree about not making major changes. It has become a tradition for alot of people who visit parents during Christmas.

    Thanks for all the ideas and thoughts. We're trying to put it together now so I'll try to come back and share.
     
    #7 Tom Bryant, Sep 11, 2009
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