A Christmas Program for Young Children. Copyright ... SAMPLE. Place a small,
undecorated Christmas tree where it can be easily accessed by the children and.
A Tree for Christmas A Christmas Program for Young Children Copyright © 2004 by Concordia Publishing House 3558 S. Jefferson Avenue St. Louis, MO 63188-3968 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without purchasing this product from Concordia Publishing House. Written by Gail Marsh This publication may be available in braille, in large print, or on cassette tape for the visually impaired. Please allow 8 to 12 weeks for delivery. Write to the Library for the Blind, 7550 Watson Rd., St. Louis, MO 63119-4409; or call toll-free 1-888-215-2455; or visit the Web site: www.blindmission.org. Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Hymn texts with the abbreviation LW are from Lutheran Worship, copyright © 1982 by Concordia Publishing House. Hymn texts with the abbreviation SGL are from Songs of God’s Love, copyright © 1984 by Concordia Publishing House. Manufactured in the United States of America. For ordering information, please contact Concordia at 800-325-3040 or visit Concordia at www.cph.org. Ask for product #35-1340.
Place a small, undecorated Christmas tree where it can be easily accessed by the children and clearly seen by all worshipers. Christmas tree lights should already be positioned on the tree, but are not lit until noted in the program. Small boxes of ornaments should be labeled and placed near the tree. You’ll need a box containing a tree-top angel, a box of short garland strips, a box of candy canes, and a box of colorful plastic ornament balls. During the program, children will decorate the tree as directed in the script.
Welcome
SA MP LE
Leader: We gladly welcome you! Join with us now as we welcome Jesus, our Savior and newborn King. Oh, Come, Little Children (SGL, p. 9, words adapted) Adults sing as children enter
1. Oh, come, little children, oh, come, one and all; To Bethlehem haste to the manger so small. God’s Son for a gift has been sent you this night To be your Redeemer, your Joy and Delight.
2. He’s born in a stable for you and for me; Draw near by the bright, gleaming starlight to see, In swaddling clothes lying, so meek and so mild, And purer than angels, the heavenly Child.
3. See Mary and Joseph with love-beaming eyes, Are gazing upon the rude bed where He lies; The shepherds are kneeling with hearts full of love, While angels sing loud alleluias above. 4. Kneel down and adore Him with shepherds today; Lift up little hands now and praise Him as they; Rejoice that a Savior from sin you can boast, And join in the song of the heavenly host.
Reader: Did you ever wonder why we see Christmas trees each Christmas? This special tradition can help us remember the true reason we celebrate. Just listen!
O Christmas Tree (traditional melody, words adapted) Children sing
SA MP LE
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, You need some decorations! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, You need some decorations! We all rejoice to see you here Because we know Christ’s birth is near. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, You need some decorations!
Reader: Before we decorate our Christmas tree, let’s take a closer look at it. See how it stands so tall? Each branch seems to point toward heaven. And no wonder! That’s where Christmas first began.
God in Heaven
(Children’s Finger Play) God in heaven up above (Point upward.)
Looked upon His world with love. (Shield eyes; hands on heart.) He made a plan, a plan to save (Nod head.) All people from sin and the grave. (Roll hands.)
The Lights
Reader: (as Christmas lights are illuminated) Most Christmas trees have beautiful lights that glitter and shine. The lights remind us of the Savior whom God promised to send, the light of the world, Jesus. Reader: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)
Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel (LW 31:1, 6) Adults sing; children join on refrain
1. Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel!
SA MP LE
Refrain:
2. Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high, And cheer us by Your drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Refrain.
The program continues in the same fashion with the use of readings, songs, finger plays, and props to introduce and explain why we put the following items on the Christmas tree: the Angel, the Garland, the Candy Canes, and the Ornaments. Adults participate in singing with the children at various times throughout the program.
