Christmas Family Liturgy
Merry Christmas!
Our desire is that worship would be a normal part of our home on Christmas mornings. Just like those who were present at the birth story of Jesus were moved to worship, we hope that our response to this Christmas season is worship as well! When we worship our Great God and Savior Jesus, our little ones (and not so little ones) will follow our lead and worship as well. We hope that this short liturgy helps us remember Jesus, and centers our hearts on him as we enjoy Christmas day.
If you have an Advent candle, it would be great to light it as you go through this liturgy. Doing physical things like lighting candles can help set the environment for special times of worship as a family.
A Christmas Morning Prayer, to be read out loud by a family member
Our Father in Heaven, today all across the world people celebrate the birth of the Son of God. That the Eternal God would choose to take on flesh, live the life that none of us could, and take our sin and punishment is more amazing than we could ever comprehend. While we gather as a family today, would we remember the Light of Life that came down from Heaven. We honor you today with our minds and hearts, placing you in the highest place in our hearts.
Our decorations, our giving of gifts, our parties with friends; these have never been the point of Christmas. They are but small ways in which we repeat that “sounding joy” first proclaimed by angels in the skies near Bethlehem. Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from You above. Our hearts are grateful for the enjoyment of today.
Though there was no room at the inn to receive you upon your first arrival,
We would prepare you room here in our hearts
And here in our home, Lord Christ.
Along with the Spirit, we who are your bride say, “Come quickly Lord Jesus.”
psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
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a time of thankfulness
One aspect of worship is thankfulness. We have a tendency to move on to the next thing without taking time to thank God for what He has given us, taking time to remember God’s blessing is good for us.
Have each member of the family share something that they are thankful for. Encourage your family to think about it for a moment. We can thank God for tangible things like our family, friends, our home, etc., but in addition, challenge yourselves and those doing this exercise with you to also share a part of the Gospel that they are thankful for.
Tip: It is often good to let an adult go first to set the tone for sharing.
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a time of reading
Read Luke 2:1-20
Before you read, encourage your family to pay attention to the reactions of those around Jesus’s birth.
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a time of singing
Take a moment to sing Go Tell It On The Mountain. Feel free to sing acapella, or find it on the Spotify playlist.
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Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is bornWhile shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a Holy lightGo, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is bornThe shepherds feared and trembled
When, lo! Above the Earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birthGo, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is bornDown in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And brought us all salvation
That blessed Christmas mornGo, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
Close with prayer...