Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Christmas Plays: No Stable too Small

No Stable Too Small: Fifteen Christmas Plays for Churches of All Sizes

Lois Anne DeLong (Author), Barbara Anne Antonucci (Author)

Here's a collection of humorous, down-to-earth plays that bring a fresh perspective to the Christmas story through such creative devices as imagining the thoughts and feelings of fringe characters (like an innkeeper or a servant to one of the magi) or by updating the story with contemporary settings and characters. 

No Stable Too Small offers a variety of practical material for any situation, ranging from shorter plays with small casts and lines that can be easily mastered by younger children to more elaborate pieces with sophisticated themes for older children and adults. And they're ideal for use with today's young people -- the dialogue reflects the way they really talk, yet never detracts from the biblical message. These flexible scenes offer a mix of speaking parts for all age groups, from preschool through adult, and are especially valuable for small congregations that lack the resources to mount large-scale productions. 

No sets are required, and only simple costumes and minimal props are needed. The plays can be performed by smaller churches with as few as 8-10 cast members, or parts can be easily divided to accommodate groups as large as 25-30. And with a running time of approximately 20-25 minutes each, it's easy to fit them within a Christmas Eve or Advent Sunday worship service. 

Some of the charming presentations include: 

  • Love Finds a Way
  • It Wasn't the Hilton, You Know
  • Christmas Eve at Angel School
  • Because God Said So, That's Why
  • No Small Parts
  • Unto Us a Child Is Born"... Next on Omar 
  • Miracles? No Problem! ...and eight more! 

Lois Anne DeLong is currently a freelance writer and editor in Bay Shore, New York. She previously served 25 years in public relations, publishing, and marketing for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. A graduate of New York University, DeLong is an active member of Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Brentwood, New York. Barbara Anne Antonucci was born and raised in Brentwood, New York, and is a lifelong member of Brentwood Presbyterian Church. A graduate of St. Joseph's College, Antonucci now resides in Monroe, North Carolina.

No Stable too small is available from Amazon




Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Book: The Ultimate Christmas Wishlist

We all need hope in our lives, but many struggle to know where to look for it. This short, warm and profound book by well-known evangelist Rico Tice makes a compelling case for Christianity and the hope that it provides.

Based on Isaiah 9:6 (a passage often used in Christmas services), readers will see how Jesus – the Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father and Wonderful Counsellor – is the ultimate gift as he delivers what they really want: hope, peace, purpose and guidance.

This gospel presentation is ideal to give away at Christmas.

Contents

  1. What Do You Want for Christmas?
  2. Hope
  3. Peace
  4. Purpose
  5. Guidance

Booklet: Making the Christmas Connection

This book will help you connect the Christmas story with God and how He wants to connect with us....

J. John in this book unpacks who is God and how he connects and interacts with us, and the Christmas story plays a major role in this

Find out and discover something more about who God really is and exactly how he feels about us. Find out how we lost our connection with God and how our connection can be restored.




Saturday, November 22, 2025

2025 A down to earth Christmas - Carols and Readings

 I have prepared the following Carols and Readings service to serve especially the smaller or people limited congregations of the Lutheran Church of Australia in New South Wales and the Lutheran Church of New Zealand.   Anyone else is also free to use these resources

2025 Carols and Reading Service - Down to Earth Christmas

2025 Christmas Reflection - Down to Earth Christmas - this can be used either with the carols and readings service or separately also available at  https://sermoncentral.com/sermons/god-comes-down-to-earth-richard-schwedes-sermon-on-christmas-296698 

Instant Christmas Play -  this can be used either with the carols and readings service or separately

I pray your Christmas time not only brings joy to people but also helps people engage with the God who came down to earth for us, to bring reveal his life giving love...

        Bishop Richard

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Christmas Resource: The Really Good News of Christmas – For Me! (free)

In 2017 Australians loved this fresh telling of the Christmas story, and this year we they have improved the story to help churches reach children and families, with the book and resources.   The Really Good News of Christmas – For Me!

The Australian Bible Society are giving away the little books of The Really Good News of Christmas - For Me, along with digital resources. 

They would love everyone  to engage in the Bible story of Christmas.

To order your booklets visit https://www.biblesociety.org.au/goodnews/ 

To view the booklet visit https://issuu.com/biblesocietyau/docs/rgn2_samplepages_single/2

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Book: Chistmas is not your birthday

Every year, we say we’re going to cut back, simplify, and have a family Christmas that focuses on the real reason for the season―Jesus. But every year, advertisements beckon, the children plead, and it seems easier just to indulge our wants and whims. Overspending, overeating, materialism, and busyness rob us of our peace and joy and rob Jesus of his rightful role as the center of our celebration.

This Christmas, cut through the hype that leaves you exhausted and broke at the end of the year. Instead, experience the peace of knowing that God is truly with us, the joy of giving sacrificially, and the love of a Savior who gave everything he had for us. In five short, engaging chapters, Pastor Mike Slaughter inspires readers to approach Christmas differently, and be transformed in the process. 

Chapters
1.  Expect a Miracle 
2. Giving Up on Perfect
3. Scandalous Love 
4. Jesus’ Wish List
5. By a Different Road




Thursday, November 09, 2017

2017 Christmas and Advent resources

Advent and Christmas resources

Lutheran Church of Australia
Christmas worship resources including children's presentations,
Advent Year B
Grow Ministries and Grow Ministries Advent 

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Living our Baptism 5 gifts of discipleship
Essay:  The Advent wisdom project 
Bible Studies Advent
Bible Studies Christmas
Congregational Communication Tools
Daily Lectionary Advent
Daily Lectionary Christmas

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod resources including:
Banners, bulletins, stoles, wreaths and candles
Gifts, Bible studies, books, church supplies and music
FAQ - history of Advent and the meaning of the Advent wreath
FAQ - What date was Jesus born?
Who is Jesus?
Chapel Talks for Advent
Church Year: Sundays and Seasons
LCMS Lectionary
LetUsPray
Good King Wenceslas (It’s all about Mercy)
Unwrapping the Gifts
Christmas Mourning
Advent Devotions
Advent Devotions Transforming this Christmas beyond our circumstances.
Advent Devotions in Spanish
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Christmas Collection on CD
Advent Chain and Christmas Ornaments
Advent Joy-A-Tude
The Advent Wreath Devotional
Christmas Wrappings, Devotional
Scripture Advent Chain Instructions
Christmas Ornaments (4) — Downloadable
One Extraordinary Night — Bible Study by Donna Pyle
No Stranger in the Manger — Bible Study by Donna Pyle
The Joy of Christmas Mustard Seeds Packet

Wisonsin Evangelical Lutheran Church
Article Too much Christmas
Article Traditions with a purpose
Teen Devotions 


Books, gifts and church resources
CPH
Augsburg Fortress
North West Publishing
Sola Publishing 
Australian Church Resources 


Worship
Textweek
Includes readings, images, movies, commetaries, lectionary reflections, group studies, worship resources, prayer, hymns, resources for children and drama


Advent Devotions
Lutheran Hour Ministries free devotions for congregational distribution
Luther Seminary
Higher Things
Vibrant Faith - taking Advent Home

www.lutheranmission.blogspot.com 
previous years entries

Bible Society of Australia
Free resource: the really Good News of Christmas
/https://www.biblesociety.org.au/reallygood/


Advent Candle Lighting resource


Books and Devotions
 

Thursday, December 08, 2016

Australian Lutheran World Service: Gifts of Grace

Are you tired of meaningless, throw-away gifts?
Would you like to bless others as you bless family and friends with gifts at Christmas, for birthdays, on anniversaries?
Then ALWS Gifts of Grace is for you!
Whether you provide Welcome Meals in a Kenyan refugee camp … help build a school in South Sudan … give a farmer in Cambodia a piglet … or simply offer a family a Lutheran Long Drop Loo… you will bring love to life!
There are 24 gifts to choose from, with six gifts under $10!

NEW! We’ll send you a POP-UP Grace Card for each gift you choose.

There are four joy-filled designs, and inside a photo and description of the gift you give. You also receive matching envelopes PLUS a receipt to claim your gifts as a tax deduction!
You give the Grace Card as your gift to friends, family and work-mates. Meanwhile, our ALWS partners will deliver the care your gift represents.
What a beautiful way to share your values and bring love to life!
For more information visit  http://www.alws.org.au/index.php/what-you-can-do/gifts-of-grace


Tuesday, November 03, 2015

Kids Book: Why do we call it Christmas?

Why do we call it Christmas...helps you and your family discover why we celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th? and why we hang stockings and decorate trees? and how Santa Claus became such a big part of the holiday?
Many people who have purchased the book have been very pleased in the way that the book brooches the subject of Jesus and Santa in a theological but child friendly way.
From the creator of VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer along with his friends Buck Denver, Captain Peter, Sunday School Lady, and others...


Advent Program: Truth in the Tinsel

Truth in the tinsel is an interactive devotional experience....each day you will be lead through a passage of scripture, make a Christmas ornament that corresponds to the reading and engage in discussion with your family.

There are 3 resources available

The truth in the tinsel ebook, which is the main resource for families...
Click here to buy Truth in the tinsel ebook costs $7.99

The truth in the tinsel ornaments templates (for those who want a head start on making the ornaments)
Click here to buy Truth in the Tinsel ornaments costs $3.99

The truth in the tinsel church curriculum ideal for Youth club, Sunday school etc.
Click here for Truth in the tinsel church curriculum costs $49.99

Click here to visit ohAmanda.com.

Friday, October 09, 2015

Spoken Word - The Bible - spoken truth- spoken Gospel

The spoken word is like rap...but gentler....
Dai Woolridge - spoken on the bible engages people with not only what the bible is...but it's impact on our lives and our world....

Watch the video


Endorsements
 “When I heard Dai Woolridge perform his spoken word, I was  more than just impressed. I felt that he had mastered the ability to use this particular art form as an instrument that would captivate an audience, on the one hand, and communicate a clear message of the Gospel, on the other.”  Tony Campolo – Professor of Sociology at Eastern University

“Dai Woolridge’s spoken word pieces are excellent – engaging, entertaining, thoughtful,intelligent and moving.”
Graham Kendrick – Worship Leader

The Spoken word also offers resources for Christmas, Easter, blessed and remembrance...

For more details visit http://spoken-truth.com/the-book/

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Top 20 Christmas Carols

Oxford University Press publishes most of the carols the world knows and loves — the one that has just popped into your head is probably one of theirs — with newly-composed Christmas titles added every year. 
Their top 20 Christmas Carols according to orders and rights requests are:
1. Shepherd’s pipe carol — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 2 and 100 Carols for Choirs 
2. Hark! the herald-angels sing — Mendelssohn arr. David Willcocks, from Carols for Choirs 1 and 100 Carols for Choirs 
3. The twelve days of Christmas — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 2 and 100 Carols for Choirs
4. Star Carol — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 3 and 100 Carols for Choirs 
5. O come, all ye faithful — David Willcocks, from Carols for Choirs 1 and 100 Carols for Choirs 
6. Once in royal David’s city — Gauntlett arr. David Willcocks, from Carols for Choirs 2 and 100 Carols for Choirs 
7. Angels’ Carol — John Rutter 
8. Candlelight Carol — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 5 
9. Jingle bells — Pierpont arr. David Willcocks, from 100 Carols for Choirs 
10. O little town of Bethlehem — Vaughan Williams, from Carols for Choirs 1 and 100 Carols for Choirs 
11. A merry Christmas — arr. Arthur Warrell, from Carols for Choirs 1 and 100 Carols for Choirs 
12. Jesus Child — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 3 and 100 Carols for Choirs 
13. Nativity carol — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 2 and 100 Carols for Choirs 
14. O Holy Night, Adolphe — arr. John Rutter 
15. I saw three ships — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 3 and 100 Carols for Choirs 
16. Ding dong! Merrily on high — David Willcocks, from Carols for Choirs 2 and 100 Carols for Choirs 
17. Joy to the world — John Rutter, from 100 Carols for Choirs 
18. On Christmas Night – Bob Chilcott 
19. What sweeter music — John Rutter 
20. The shepherd’s farewell — Hector Berlioz, from Carols for Choirs 1 and 100 Carols for Choirs - For more information visit:  Oxford University Press

Movie: Joyeux Noel

JOYEUX NOEL (Merry Christmas) tells the true-life story of the spontaneous Christmas Eve truce declared by Scottish, French and German troops in the trenches of World War I.  Enemies leave their weapons behind for one night as they band together in brotherhood and forget about the brutalities of war. Diane Krüger (Troy), Daniel Brühl (Good Bye Lenin!) and Benno Fürmann (The Princess and the Warrior) head a first-rate international cast in a truly powerful, must-see film.



Download

DVD

Monday, December 15, 2014

Christmas Blessing: May the feet of God walk with you

The Christmas Blessing - May the feet of God walk with you is a popular blessing for many Lutheran congregations in Australia

   

Sheet music is available from SongSelect  or through the song writer Robin Mann by purchasing All together again music edition 

if you use this song don't forget to register it on your ccli records 

Wednesday, October 29, 2014