30th October 2012: Thanks to all those who shared their Christmas ideas with us over the last six years! If you used anything which might be useful to someone else, or have found a useful link to web based resources, please email it to us!

As usual Robin Hill has got in with the first resource for 2012 – a sketch entitled Beryl & Cheryl's Christmas Sketch. Hopefully there will be more to add in the coming weeks.

The site is primarily used by Church of Scotland ministers - but it is great to see that it is being accessed more widely.

Thanks to all who contributed ideas in 2012.  With over 4,000 unique visitors (different computers) in December (and almost 3,000 visitors in November - those who plan ahead!) the site has been well used!  I used Scott Guy’s Christmas Rap, the Bethlehem Rhapsody which Colin Brough sent a link to and Alan Sorensen’s Balloons with an Angel message. 
Some folk didn’t quite grasp the idea of a message from an angel though – the one in the balloon I got read “Hibs for the Scottish Cup!”  Still, everyone enjoyed hitting the balloons round the church.  Top of the downloads was Andy Chittick’s Family Service – Gifts with 500 downloads!

This Sunday I’m using a clip from the Superman Returns with the line 'You wrote that the world doesn't need a Saviour, but every day I hear people crying for one.'   Here’s the link if it’s of use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1iHPQOKOFY  Might be the first one on an Easter page if I get round to putting it together! 

For those who saw Neil Urquhart’s Men in Black last Christmas, here’s the link to this year’s version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9xTUB73WXY&list=HL1355988321&feature=mh_lolz

Graham Duffin

From Ritchie Gillon

An updated version of the 'Christmas According to Films' talk Click to open word file

From Alan Sorensen

Balloons with an angel message – or paper planes. A dead simple but very effective idea, with two variations on it. If you need templates for angels or paper planes with angels email alan.sorensen@ntlworld.com or gduffin@loanheadparishchurch.co.uk

Click here to open word file Balloons and Angels

From Elspeth Harley:

Two easy to perform sketches Christmas sheep and reluctant shepherd and wise men.

Click here to open word file - Christmas sheep drama

Click here to open word file - Reluctant shepherd and wise man

From Paul McKeown

We do choruses with actions for the children. Why not prayers?

Here is a Physical Prayer I've used in church and also at assemblies. Best done with two folk, one reading the prayer and the other leading the actions. One person can do both, but it's not easy!

From Scott Guy:

Here is a rap I wrote some years ago which others might find useful for Primary schools etc. Click here to open word file

From Paul McKeown

Some video cliips on youtube that might be useful to others. All are under 5 minutes in length.  The first two are my own

1) Busy Christmas - a movie aimed for use in All Age Worship with images put to Stephen Fischbacher's song "Busy Christmas". It highlights the manic excitement and preparation that come with getting ready for Christmas, and then ends with a gentle reminder of what the season is really about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyeBWjSFa_4&feature=youtu.be

2) Bethlehem Down. We used at our watchnight last year to move from 'karaoke carols' (!) into the service proper at 11:30. It worked beautifully.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGnxRRAuJrw&list=UL

3) Beatbox Nativity - All Age worship. Fun presentation of the Biblical Story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyuzSzdpE38&list=FL-YwzL97PASNyZFKxxIf73w&index=34&feature=plpp_video

4) The Skit Guys - Better to Give Than Receive - funny sketch on the excesses of giving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-VpAG_EXX4&feature=plcp

5) Christmas In A Nutshell - Short cartoon presentation of the meaning of Christmas, suitable for all ages

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXgH8ZIz9jQ&list=FL-YwzL97PASNyZFKxxIf73w&index=35&feature=plpp_video

6)  The Christmas Tale: a realistic and quite gritty cartoon presentation of the Christmas story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHSk0kf_PeQ&list=FL-YwzL97PASNyZFKxxIf73w&index=36&feature=plpp_video

7) We Three Kings - a funny modern take on the journey of the three kings and the pressures of Christmas and giving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yApHxQhlGpQ&feature=my_liked_videos&list=LL-YwzL97PASNyZFKxxIf73w

8) Retooning the Nativity - a short cartoon dispelling some of the myths around the Christmas story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGYBAXQQLaQ&list=FL-YwzL97PASNyZFKxxIf73w&index=11&feature=plpp_video

Friends and Heroes Christmas animation is available again this year free of charge –
new link http://www.friendsandheroes.com/uk/he-chose-shepherds?utm_campaign=121116basenews&utm_source=nativity_video_link&utm_medium=email

From Andy Chittick

Four complete family services – one based on opening gifts for characters from the Christmas story with bible readings and carols - Family service gifts (click to open word file); the second around the recollections of Hannah the daughter of the innkeeper – Hannah's story (click to open word file); the third imagining the Christmas story unfolding from the viewpoint of two angels – Mission Christmas (click to open word file); the fourth with two reporters interviewing characters from the Christmas story – Search for a superhero (click to open word file)

Two stories – an adaptation of Lucado's Crippled Lamb – crippled lamb (click to open word file) and a true story of a couple reconciled at Christmas after 35 years apart – New York Christmas (click to open word file)

From Iain Ramsden:

Interactive Watchnight: I have used this 'interactice watchnight service' and found it very effective. The reader and Minister read alternately. I got the idea from somwhere and have 'updated it'.

The reader stands at the Lecturn (or wherever I suppose) and reads the scripture readings (in italics) while the Minister (or whoever) reads the bits in between, in explanation.

I have only added the dialogue but can add the whole service if anyone wishes it ie prayers, hymns etc. It is timed to start at 11.30pm and finish the dialogue at midnight (depending on how fast i speak!) have a look and see what you think. Feel free to use it.
click to open word file

From Linda Pollock:

Here is a wee thing I used last year to good effect with the school children at their Christmas Service - it works well with the Christmas Eve Family Service too.

You will need:

1. Flip Chart Paper & easel.
2. Colourful Markers.
3. Someone who can draw or a lack of self-conciousness as you try to draw!!
4. A few adults who will be willing to stand at the front and hold up the flip chart papers.
   Gather the children together so that they are able to see the flip chart & ask the following question: What occasion, event, have we been preparing for these past few weeks? (Answer= Christmas!)
   
   

Then ask:

What sort of things have you been doing to make the house ready for this special celebration? (Allow only one answer at a time because with every answer you (or your artist) are going to draw the picture of the answer!)

Examples of answers: (Be prepared to be surprised!)

Buy presents - so you draw a picture of a gift-wrapped present.

Invite an adult to hold the picture up at the front where the kids and others can see it clearly every time.

Send cards - so you draw a picture of a Christmas card.

Buy a turkey - so you draw a picture of a turkey.

Open the Advent Calendar - so you draw .....

Decorate the house - so you draw...

Put up the Christmas Tree - so you draw...

Hopefully one of the children will mention the nativity and church etc... so you draw a picture....

When you think you've exhausted the answers stand back and look over the pictures and then taking one picture at a time say,

" hmm... I see a picture of a turkey... would it still be Christmas if there was no turkey? The children will likely respond that it still is Christmas... what do Vegetarians do at Christmas... what do people, say in Africa, do where turkeys are too expensive or unavailable....

SO then you take the picture from the adult, thank them for their help, ask them to return to their seat and scrunch up the picture of the turkey.

Go through each picture and repeat the exercise until you have the picture of the nativity left... ask the following question: "If we remove all the presents, all the food, all the decorations, all the cards all the whatever it is we think we must do to make Christmas special... if we do all this is it still Christmas?" Hopefully the kids will respond with a big loud "YES!" - realising - and helping the adults to realise - that all we truly need for Christmas to be a celebration is the birth of Jesus. Go on then to explain that without the birth of Jesus there would be no Christmas.... and it is wonderful that we are able to celebrate and give gifts in His name, to remember the love of God and to share that love with others.

I hope you find this helpful it was good fun trying to draw the pic's and the kids loved my inability to draw - I of course told them I was modelling my art on Picasso!

A little extra ..End with a prayer of thanksgiving and to do this invite everyone present to think for a moment quietly of one thing they are grateful for... give them a couple of minutes and examples to help them think (e.g. Family, chocolate advent calendars... the subject can be deep and meaningful or fluffy and light! Then ask them to raise their hands if they would like to share one thing they are grateful for. Ask one person at a time, repeat their point for all to hear and say, "thank you God, amen." You could invite the congregation to repeat the amen with you.

From Catherine Hepburn:

'Instant DIY Nativity'

This arose 16 years or so ago from the worry of a Sunday School co-ordinator who, in our rural congregation, did not know if we would have 12 or 2 children present at our Nativity Play service. We went Instant DIY - no rehearsal needed.

With a big bag of simple props (an appropriate prop per character): shawl for Mary, walking stick for Joseph, Gold sparkly cloth for Angel Gabriel, Gold tinsel for any other angels, toy lambs for shepherds (and eventually some little crooks made by a friendly carpenter), star for star angel (and gold tinsel), crowns for Kings/Magi, gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (jars, boxes, bottles...) for Magi or their gift bearers if a lot of children (or adults wanting to participate). A doll swaddled in white towel as baby Jesus, a manger (originally an orange box with a woollen cushion that looked haylike, now - thanks to friendly carpenter - a little manger, easily carried around). And if cast available and expanding Biblical story.. an apron for Innkeeper, animal masks for donkey, cows etc...

A storyteller tells the Nativity Story (Luke and Matthew minus Herod) - with as much help from children and congregation as required and wanted - asking for volunteers to be each character in the story as they appear in it and 'dressing' each character with their prop as their part in the story arrives, involving as much action or not as is appropriate for Mary and Joseph to get to Bethlehem, also Shepherds and angels, and Magi following the star, until the stable tableau is complete.

Often that is when the children sing the first verse of 'Away in a manger' with adults joining in verses 2 and 3. The congregation's Manger gift is brought forward if it is the church Nativity Play Sunday Service.

Before the 'actors' go back to their seats, they are asked to leave their prop at their place in the tableau. It leaves a visual reminder of the story for the rest of the service.

The first time I did this (Church Nativity Play Sunday) there were barely enough children for the main parts. An elderly gentleman was in church for the first time since he had suffered a stroke. He was determined to be in the story as the Innkeeper. The congregation prayed him up the steps and into the stable where he stood next to Mary and Joseph and the manger radiating joy. Unless you receive the Kingdom of God like a child.....

Once you have the bag of props, this is simple, flexible and has always, one way or another 'worked'. We have always arrived in the stable at Bethlehem whether with flocks of Primary one angels or just one or two wee ones, whether the angels wear their tinsel around their necks or, finding it scratchy, wave it like a banner of glory.

From Lynn McChlery:

Cadder Christmas Drama - a pantomime-style corporate reading that goes well with all ages. Everyone in the congregation needs to have a sheet & you need 2 adult readers to be anchor people - both need to have a strong public presence. You also need dressing up clothes for a king, a shepherd and an angel. Children can be chosen on the spot from the audience for these roles - they don't need to rehearse but they do need to be confident enough. Give each one the dressing up clothes and a script with their part clearly marked so they know what they're reading.

You should "warm people up" by rehearsing bits of the script in advance with the whole audience, e.g. the running feet and the shouts. After that, go for it with gusto!! (Link to word document)

Chocolate oranges & Brussels: Again you need 2 adult presenters. You need a wrapped chocolate orange and a wrapped box containing hand-made chocolates: in this case, chocolate Brussels sprouts. You make the sprouts by boiling them lightly for about 2 minutes only til they're barely soft. Drain, chill them in the fridge for a few hours, then cover with melted chocolate. Put them in cake cases then a posh-looking box, and gift wrap.

Adult presenters tell the children they have Ch'mas gifts for each other and exchange gifts. The one receiving the choc orange goes first - open it, delighted, my favourite etc. Then ask the giver why s/he gave you this gift for Ch'mas. The giver explains that the gift tells you something about the Ch'mas story.

* gold paper - riches, a crown, a king - Jesus

* globe shape - for the whole world - God so loved the world

* for everyone! break the orange by dropping it (e.g. from the pulpit!) then ask if anyone wants to share - get some kids up to have some. Talk about shepherds and angels telling everyone the good news.

One receiving the chocolates opens gift next - delighted, hand-made chocs. Assume these are for sharing too & ask a few kids up to share. Their reactions when they try to eat them will speak for themselves!

Indignation - what's that to do with the Ch'mas story?

Ask kids why you get Brussels sprouts at Ch'mas - they're good for you, give you things your body really needs. Sometimes we think Ch'mas is all about the nice surface things - tinsel, trees - and so it is; these things are good. But underneath is something that's really good for us, nourishing for our souls: God's gift of His Son, love and forgiveness.

Memorable - Our local school kids were talking about chocolate sprouts for quite some time.

From Colin Brough:

A selection of youtube and other clips I have used in the past:

Paperless Christmas: A series of short clips that together tell the whole Christmas story - and on towards the Cross http://www.paperlesschristmas.org.uk/downloads/

Christmas Eve service, 2010, Fintry, Dundee; I did it as a "clips and carols" kind of thing, with more spoken input before and after the last clip. My notes are online: http://www.fintry-church.org.uk/SermonsPDF/Xmas2010c.pdf

Digital Nativity: How would the story of Jesus birth have been told had digital media been around 2000 years ago? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sghwe4TYY18 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZrf0PbAGSk

Similar concept to each other, differently articulated. Great for part of a Christmas eve service.

Advent Conspiracy: This is more of a challenge to Christians to reflect on how we live in a season of consumerism. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IN0W3gjnNE

Bethlehem Rhapsody:

This is a bit funny/silly, a puppet retelling to the tune of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody! Sunday School party anyone? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW1pbuyGlQ0

One Baby's Impact: Words and images to a musical background. Apart from the slightly cheesy "prayer" at the end, this might provide a thoughtful intro to run at the start of a Christmas Eve service. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb1AsyltkpA

Robin Hill

Beryl & Cheryl's Christmas Sketch - click to open word file