Pastors and Worship Leaders: Are you looking for a script that really works for a one hour Christmas Eve Service(s)? Here’s one that I developed and have used successfully. If you like this script and are planning to use it this Christmas.. May I suggest that you support this blog with a small gift ($2-$5) via this PayPal account.. I’ve also added links to the songs and media.
Apple Cider in the foyer (with Christmas music playing)
(In auditorium) Christmas Music Playing with
Video loop: ‘Christmas Tree Snow Loop’
(5 min. before) Christmas Around the World Video count-down
or Glitter Countdown (5 minute)
Screen Background Bethlehem small star:
(Stage lights up)
Worship Leader: Greeting and welcome
(House lights down)
3 Singers: 6 Piece Band: 2 Narrators (Stage Left):
Congregational Song: Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Congregational Song: Joy The World/Unspeakable Joy
Video: A Baby Is Coming
(Narrator 1 standing with music stand & light w/spotlight)
Narrator 1: Scripture readings: The Birth Of Jesus (all scripture readings are on the screen: Bethlehem small star background)
(While this is read: Mary & Joseph & baby (played by kids) come to the manger or you can use graphics on a screen to reenact the story)
(Luke 2:1-7) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Congregational Song: O Holy Night
Narrator 2 reading: The Shepherds and the Angels
(While this is read: 2-3 shepherds & an angel (played by kids) come to the manger)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Instrumental or Vocal Solo: Mary Did You Know?
Narrator 1: reading:
(While this is read: Angels (played by kids) come to the manger)
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ”Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.”
Congregational Song: Angels We Have Heard On High
Narrator 2 reading:
(shepherds go to the manger)
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Congregational Song: O Come All Ye Faithful
Narrator 1 reading:
(While this is read: 3 Wisemen (played by kids) come to the manger)
(The Visit of the Magi: Matt 2:1-11) After Jesus was born in Bethlehem … Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the One who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed.
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the Child. As soon as you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
Video: Seek
Offering Announcement: (with emphasis on giving to the widows & homeless)
Announcement Video (promo for New Year Sermon Series)
Solo: Noel
Christmas Thoughts: Pastor ‘s message (15-20 min)
Congregational Song: Silent Night (the candles are lit)
Closing Song (2x chorus only): “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”
If you like this script and are planning to use it this Christmas.. May I suggest that you support this blog with a small gift ($1-$5) via this PayPal account. (You can also use a credit card). Thanks!
Also… Check out my new book.. “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure’ available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions. This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.
Comment from Facebook: Chris Barrigar: For us Anglicans this format is the old Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. In our culturally diverse urban congregation we also read a portion of each reading in one or two the languages of our congregation members. Each year we typically have 15 to 20 languages represented – a very moving symbolism of the Christmas Good News being for all nations.
I am the special events committee chairperson for my church, and am trying to coordinate an “Advent” service and end with a candlelight for participation of the congregation.