Christmas Eve/Day
December 24/25

With thanks to page sponsor:
Jan Richardson
The Advent Door
(0910)

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources for each individual pericope:     

Isaiah 9:2-7 / Isaiah 62:6-12 / Isaiah 52:7-10
Roman Catholic reading for Midnight Mass: Isaiah 9:1-6 (see also study page for Isaiah 9:1-4)
Roman Catholic reading for Mass at Dawn: Isaiah 62: 11-12
Roman Catholic reading for Mass during the day: Isaiah 52:7-10
United Methodist reading for Christmas Eve: Isaiah 9:2-7
United Methodist reading for Christmas Day: Isaiah 52:7-10

Psalm 96 / Psalm 97 / Psalm 98
Roman Catholic reading for Midnight Mass: Psalm 96:1-13
Roman Catholic reading for Mass at Dawn: Psalm 97:1-12
Roman Catholic reading for Mass during the day: Psalm 98:1-6
United Methodist reading for Christmas Eve: Psalm 96
United Methodist reading for Christmas Day: Psalm 98

Titus 2:11-14 / Titus 3:4-7 / Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12)
Roman Catholic reading for Midnight Mass: Titus 2:11-14
Roman Catholic reading for Mass at Dawn: Titus 3:4-7
Roman Catholic reading for Mass during the day: Hebrews 1:1-6
United Methodist reading for Christmas Eve: Titus 2:11-14
United Methodist reading for Christmas Day: Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12)

Luke 2:1-14, (15-20) / Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20 / John 1:1-14
Roman Catholic reading for Midnight Mass: Luke 2:1-14
Roman Catholic reading for Mass at Dawn: Luke 2: 15-20
Roman Catholic reading for Mass during the day: John 1:1-18 or John 1:1-5, 9-14
United Methodist reading for Christmas Eve: Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)
United Methodist reading for Christmas Day: John 1:1-14

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library:
    • Year A: Proper I - Proper II - Proper III
    • Year B: Proper I - Proper II - Proper III
    • Year C: Proper I - Proper II - Proper III
  • Roman Catholic Lectionary Readings (NCCB/USCC) from the New American Bible.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: Christmas 1 BCP, Christmas 2 BCP, Christmas 3 BCP / Christmas 1 RCL, Christmas 2 RCL, Christmas 3 RCL.
  • The Roman Catholic Lectionary for Mass (1998 USA Edition). At Felix Just S.J.'s The Roman Catholic Lectionary For Mass - a site featuring comprehensive tables of editions of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
• Images and Movies:
  • Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Madonna and Child/Holy Family
    • Nativity
    • Shepherds
  • Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Incarnation
• Special Day Resources, Christmas
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
  • Preaching This Week: Christmas Eve / Christmas Day at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2009. Commentaries on lectionary readings by Terence E. Fretheim, Marion L. Soards, and Ginger Barfield.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Christmas, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal:
    • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Christmas Set I
    • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Christmas Set II
    • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Christmas Set III
  • Preaching This Week Commentaries on Christmas Eve  and Christmas Day lectionary readings by Mark Throntveit, Michael Joseph Brown, and David Tiede at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2008.
  • Lectionary Commentary, Worship Resource, Cultural Resource, The African American Lectionary, 2009.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Christmas, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching the Good News of Christmas, by a collection of process pastors and theologians, Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Christmas Eve, 2008, Bruce G. Epperly, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Preaching Helps: Christmas Eve / Christmas Day, 2009). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Jesus Now, Christmas Day, lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Christmas Day, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • The Nativity of Our Lord, December 24, 2007, December 25, 2007, Joy L. McDonald Coltvet, Currents in Theology and Mission.
  • Lectionary Study, Christmas Eve, Christmas Dawn, Christmas Day, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation, 2009.
  • "Justice for the Downtrodden," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches, 2006.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Christmas C, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Readings, Analysis of Texts and Preaching Paths, Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • Social Justice Lectionary, list of links by Rev. Dr. Bruce Sweet, United Church of Canada.
  • Stewardship Sermon Starter, Stewardship Now. ELCA, 2009.
  • World Hunger Sermon Starters, ELCA, 2009.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas.
  • Lectionary at Lunch: MP3, Windows Media, and Real Audio files of lectures by professors at Concordia Seminary, St Louis, MO (LCMS).
• Lists of recommended articles are available with ATLAS subscription for these texts:
  • Isaiah 9:2-7 / Isaiah 62:6-12 / Isaiah 52:7-10
  • Psalm 96 / Psalm 97 / Psalm 98
  • Titus 2:11-14 / Titus 3:4-7 / Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12)
  • Luke 2:1-14, (15-20) / Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20 / John 1:1-14
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
  • "O Little Island of Crete," G. Kevin Baker, Blogging toward Sunday, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2009.
  • Sermon Brainwave, December 24/25, 2009. Lectionary podcast featuring Profs. Karoline Lewis, David Lose and Matt Skinner, discussing the week's passages in light of current events. At Luther Seminary's WorkingPreacher.org.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, Whole Lotta Chruchin Goin On Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2009.
  • Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2009.
  • Think About It: Christmas Eve / Christmas Day, Sermon Notes/Themes on current topics with complimentary PowerPoint images, Rev. Dorothy Okray.
  • "Christmas Day: Witness of that Light," "Revisiting the Secret Room," Jan Richardson, The Advent Door, 2009. (Use of images.)
  • Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2009. (LGBT perspective)
  • "I think to myself, 'What a Wonderful World,'" Peter Woods I Am Listening, Christmas Eve/Day, 2009.
  • "Materialism is Good," Debra Dean Murphy, Intersections: Thoughts on Religion, Culture, and Politics, 2009.
  • Giving the Gift and Sharing the Grace, Pastor Sharron R. Lucas, Stewardship of Life Institute, 2009.
  • "Blogging toward...Christmas?" Blogging toward Sunday, Tom Steagald, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2008.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, Christmas Eve Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2008.
  • "Where the Foreign Meets the Familiar," "Door 24: The Secret Room," (Luke 2:1-20); "Door 25: The Book of Beginnings," (John 1:1-14); Jan Richardson, The Advent Door: Entering a Contemplative Christmas, 2008.
  • This Sunday's Readings, Christmas Day, Martin Warner, Church Times, 2009.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Christmas Day A, B, C, 2008. Sarah Dylan Breuer.
  • "Bizarro-World," Dan Deffenbaugh, Seeds of Shalom, 2008.
  • Christmas Eve / Christmas Day Year B, Lawrence Moore, disclosing new worlds, 2008.
  • "How Silently, How Silently, The Wondrous Gift Is Given," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
  • "The Christmas Mirror," Joshua Eli Plaut, Reform Judaism, 2004.
  • "Living in the Shadow of the Manger," Margaret Eletta Guider, O.S.F., (other resources at) "Children," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
  • "A New Song for a New Rule," Walter Brueggemann, "Getting Ready for the Unexpected," Sojourner's, 2009.
  • "A Christmas Story You've Never Heard: The Angels," Gordon Atkinson, Real Live Preacher. Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality, The Witness, 2005.
  • The Christian Century archives:
    • "Zealous Hopes," Kathleen Norris, 2005.
    • "Let the Imbongis Sing!" Peter Storey, 2000.
    • "For Grown-ups," Fleming Rutledge. 1999.
    • "Go out in Joy," Rosalind Brown. 1998.
  • Finding the Grace in Christmas, Louie Crew, Proclaiming Gospel Justice, The Witness.
  • "Home for Christmas," Pilgrim Preaching, Keeping company with biblical texts and the people who hear and preach them, a weblog for preaching, by Mary Hinkle, Luther Seminary.
  • Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other resources.
• Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Sermons that Work: Christmas Eve, the Rev. Rov Gieselmann, Christmas Day, the Rev. Dr. Frank Hegedus, ECUSA, 2009.
  • Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "Luminarias," the Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston, Day 1, 2006.
  • "Sermon for Christmas Day," Bishop Steven Charleston, Day 1, 2005.
  • "Birth of the Light," Christmas Sermon by Nathan Mattox, 2005.
  • Christmas Sermons, Pastor Edward F. Marquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "A Feast Juxtaposed," Katherine E. Willis Pershey, any day a beautiful change.
  • "The Christmas Message," Dr. Edwina Hunter, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1997.
  • "Fear Not," the Rev. Barbara Crafton, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club.
  • "Have a Defiant Christmas," John Shea, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2000.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Christmas Eve / Christmas Day, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Beyond Candy Cane Lane," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Consumerism," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
• A list of links to on-line Bibles and general Bible study resources.
• A list of links to scholarly and preaching discussion groups and their homepages.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.

OnLine Worship and Liturgy Resources

• The Text This Week's Christmas Resources Page.
• Richard and Charlene Fairchild's comprehensive "A Holy Christmas".
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Christmas Eve / Christmas Day, 2009): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Christmas Eve/Day, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2009.
  • Advent Wreath Meditations, Christmas Eve, 2009, F. Richard Garland, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Worship Resource, Cultural Resource, The African American Lectionary, 2009.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Christmas Eve C, Christmas Day C, 2009, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • LCA Worship Resources, Christmas Proper I, Christmas Proper II, Christmas Proper III, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Mustard Seeds, Blue Christmas C, Christmas Eve C, Christmas Day C, 2009.  Blue Christmas B, Christmas Eve B, Christmas Day B, 2008. Blue Christmas A, Christmas Eve A, Christmas Day A, 2007. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Worship Resources, Christmas C, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • Christmas Eve B, Christmas Day B, Lectionary Liturgies, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Alternative Lessons and Carols, Katherine Hawker, Outside the Box.
  • Liturgies Online, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • A Christmas Liturgy in a Minor Key, Gary L. Lake Dillensnyder.
  • A Ceremony of Lessons and Carols, Process & Faith.
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Christmas Eve / Christmas Day, 2009. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Worship Resources by Lisa Frenz, Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, Portland, OR. (Assorted services, including candlelight and choral services.)
  • Christmas Liturgy, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand. Adapting Christmas to the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia:
    • Year A
      • Christmas Eve service of Lessons and Carols
      • Christmas Day family service
    • Year B
      • Christmas Eve service of Lessons and Carols
      • Christmas Day
    • Year C
      • Christmas Eve early evening carols with children
      • Christmas Eucharist lessons and carols for late evening
      • Christmas Day
  • Liturgies for Christmas (Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve, The Christ Mass on Christmas Eve, The Christ Mass on Christmas Day, ideas for Christmas Liturgies), Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
  • Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, Nativity, by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings, Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
  • Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary: Midnight Eucharist, Christmas Day, Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Prayers of the People - Christmas Day I, Christmas Day II, Christmas Day III. General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • Introductions to lectionary readings for readers, Christmas Set I, Christmas Set II, Christmas Set III. Chris Haslam, Diocese of Montreal.
  • The Billabong, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
  • Lector's Notes: Christmas Vigil, Midnight Mass, Mass at Dawn, Mass During the Day, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • "A Prayer or meditation for use on Christmas Eve," "A Prayer for Use on Christmas Morning or the First Sunday after Christmas," Elli Elliott.
  • Collect NZPB p. 555 and Collect NZPB p. 556, "Liturgy: Prayer Reflection," reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • A Prayer for Christmas Eve, Rev. Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer, 2009.
  • Worship Resources, Christmas, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • Christmas Prayers, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Offertory Prayers for December, 2009, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • "Finding Joy in Unexpected Places," Safiyah Fosua, UMC GBOD, 2009.
  • "Messiah's Grand Entry," the Rev. Roger Scott, UMC GBOD, 2009.
  • A Call to Worship for Christmas Eve/Day, the Rev. Nathan Decker, UMC GBOD, 2009.
  • Prayers of the People, Christmas, 2009, Lowell Grisham, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Christmas, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Prayers for Worship, David von Schlichten, Lectionary Homiletics.
  • World in Prayer, the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Lodi, California. Prayers. Prayers and litanies based on each week's world news.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library:
    Year A: Proper 1, Proper 2, Proper 3.
    Year B: Proper 1, Proper 2, Proper 3.
    Year C: Proper 1, Proper 2, Proper 3.
• Graphics and Bulletin Materials:
  • Art in the Christian Tradition: Year A, Year B, Year C, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Clip Art, Christmas, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Follows Latin American Roman Catholic gospel reading, though most gospels texts/themes are found in the index. Liberation emphasis.
  • Images for this week's readings, Year B, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • Mustard Seeds, Blue Christmas C, Christmas Eve C, Christmas Day C, 2009.  Blue Christmas B, Christmas Eve B, Christmas Day B, 2008. Blue Christmas A, Christmas Eve A, Christmas Day A, 2007. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • "Two Nativity Scenes," Robert Hodgson, eBulletins reflections, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Christmas C, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year A index.
  • SAMUEL at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • "Where the Foreign Meets the Familiar," "Door 24: The Secret Room," (Luke 2:1-20); "Door 25: The Book of Beginnings," (John 1:1-14); Jan Richardson, The Advent Door: Entering a Contemplative Christmas, 2008.
  • Bulletin Cover Art for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Will Humes, Word & Table.
  • CHURCH PowerPoint, Christmas Eve/Christmas Day 2009. Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • "Whose Story Would You Rather Believe," (Christmas Eve) reflection by Paul Bellan-Boyer, "Hindsight is 20/20," (Christmas Day) reflection by Rev. K. Jason Coker, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
  • Agnus Day, Lectionary cartoon by James Wetzstein.
  • Scripture Pics, Weekly RCL-related image.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "O Wondrous Mystery," an Advent/Christmas Hymn for Children, Richard Turner, ST MICHAEL, UMC GBOD.
    • "In This Night We Hear Rejoicing," A Hymn for Christmas Eve, F. Richard Garland, AR HYD Y NOS, 2009. UMC GBOD.
    • "Dear Was the Babe," Choral Anthem for Christmas, Sandy Rogers. United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "Still, Still, Still," Austrian Christmas Carol, arr Dean Mc Intyre, 2008. United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "A Carol for Christmas," Andrew Pratt, 2007, Music: PASSION CHORALE. United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "Hurry Little Children: A Spiritual Christmas Carol," SATB Choral Anthem, Linda Dickson and George Mann, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "The Carpenter's Carol," SATB Choral Anthem, Linda Dickson and George Mann, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "The Stardust Carol," SSAA (SSA) Choral Anthem, Linda Dickson and George Mann, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "O Come, All Ye Faithful," handbell arrangement by Dean McIntyre, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "The First Noel," Christmas Choral Arrangement (choir, congregation, optional child's solo), Sandy Rogers, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "Goat Herds," "The Light," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn, weekly new, relevant hymn set to traditional tunes. Specially written for use in the Southern Hemisphere.
    • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Christmas Eve/Day, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • A Few Christmas Suggestions, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
    • Lectionary Hymns, Vigil of Christmas, Solemnity of Christmas, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
    • Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
    • Choral Anthem Project, Vigil of the Nativity, Midnight Mass, Solemnity of the Nativity - Dawn, Solemnity of the Nativity - Day, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
    • The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
    • Traditional Hymns for Blended and Contemporary Worship Volume One: Advent-Christmas-Epiphany, by Dean McIntyre, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
    • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
    • Gathering, Christmas Eve/Day, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2009.
    • O Antiphons, Rev. Bosco Peters, Liturgy.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Christmas, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
    • Together to Celebrate, Christmas 2009, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
• Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • "Sermon of the Week," / "Mensajes para ninos," Sermons 4 Kids, Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons & Children's Sermons, Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com.
  • Christmas Spiral Puzzle, Christmas Word Jumble, Charles Kirkpatrick, sermons4kids.com.
  • The Christmas Story Crossword Puzzle, downloadable and interactive online, based on the NRSV Christmas stories from Matthew and Luke. Bruce Gillette, Limestone Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, DE.
  • Lectionary Puzzles: Christmas Proper I, Christmas Proper II, Christmas Proper III. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
• For Children:
  • CatholicMom.com: Coloring Page, Mass Worksheet, Crossword Puzzle, and Word Search based on weekly gospel text.
  • Children's Activity Sheets: Activities for Children, based on the Revised Common Lectionary, by Dorothy A. DeBisschop, Great Hill UMC, Seymour, Connecticut. At Bass Mitchell's homiliesbyemail.com.
  • Coloring Pages/Puzzles. Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons & Children's Sermons, Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com. (Scroll to bottom of page.)
  • Gathering, Christmas Eve/Day, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2009.
  • Christmas Childrens Sermons, the Rev. Edward Markquart, Sermons from Seattle.
  • Ideas and Talks for Christmas, Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
  • "Sweet Christmas!" Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
  • "Reflecting the Light," and "Jesus and the Three R's," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Nativity of the Lord, 2009 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • "Jesus Is the Living Word of God," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "The Neglected Gift," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "By His Own Mighty Word He Holds the Universe Together," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
• Drama:
  • "Of Pigs and Paintings," all-age drama for Christmas Eve, Rev Dr Robin Hill and Rev Alec Shuttleworth, Church of Scotland.
  • The Story of Christmas, Annal's Version. An Improvisational Pageant. Christmas Shopping for the King, Children's Christmas Play. Lisa Frenz, Mt Carmel Lutheran Church, Portland, Oregon.
  • "A Feast With The Shepherds," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
  • Dramatic Reading, John 1/Genesis 1, Theresa Coleman, reverend mommy's randon thoughts.
  • "The Innkeeper's Wife," Nina Wallestad, Dramatic License. Conditions of Use.
  • "Lamb of God," Nina Wallestad, Dramatic License. Conditions of Use.
  • "Three Men and a Baby," David S. Lampel, His Company.
  • "The Writer," John McNeil, dramatix.
  • "Credo," John McNeil, dramatix.
  • "Signs and Wonders," An Interactive Christmas Eve based on Luke 2:1-20, Jim Hatherly.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.