Sunday 25th December 2005
Call to Worship
Lighting of the Christ Candle: Joan
Song: Hark the herald angels
Prayers
Song: For unto us a child is born
Setting the Scene: Film Trailer for, The Lion, The Whitch and The Wardrobe
Welcome everyone. it may seem strange to incorporate "Narnia" within a Christmas Day service; but actually the film is about many important Christmas themes... such as the fact that the world we see isn't the whole of reality. Here's how the Bible describes Jesus' coming from one world into another..
Bible Readings: Luke 2:8-20
Song: What child is this
Ice Breaker: Narnia Quiz
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When CS Lewis wrote the Narnia chronicles he wanted to retell the Christian story in a new way. He wanted people to come at it with fresh eyes and see the truth of the one who comes to a place that appears to be "always winter, and never Christmas". He wanted his readers to se that Jesus brings hope to a world where people have no hope, he brings light to a world where people live in darkness. The white witch in his stories held the whole country in her icy grip – Jesus comes to dispel evil and set the people free. A reason to celebrate this day!
Question 1: Why are the children sent to the country?
C) there are air-raids in London
Question 2: Who is the first to reach Narnia?
Question 3: What is a faun?
Question 4: Who tells the children about Aslan?
Question 5: Where do they plan to meet Aslan?
Question 6:Who befriends the White Witch?
Question 7:What gift does Father Christmas give Susan?
Question 8:What does he give Lucy?
Question 9:What is Cair Paravel?
Question 10:Who are the children following when they return to the lamppost?
Presents: What are you hoping for today? What did you receive today?
Gift under the tree. From the Runchmans – open and share.
Hymn: See Him lying in a bed of straw
Talk / Sermon:
Christmas Day 2006 - what goes into today to make it special:
Presents
Church
Family
Food
The queen
The great escape/sound of music?
I suppose a lot of us associate Christmas with food. There are so many food traditions associated with today
Christmas pudding,
roast turkey,
oranges in your stocking,
mince pies,
chocolate yule logs…
The supermarket shelves look quite different at Christmas time because there's so much "seasonal fare" on display.
I don't know if you've been to see the Narnia film yet, but the story has a lot to say about Christmas. It's about a magical country where it's "always winter but never Christmas". And then Christmas comes back. Father Christmas makes a guest appearance with presents for everybody. So I suppose it's not surprising that the Narnia story – and C S Lewis's novel The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, on which it's based – mention food again and again.. Here are some of the things you find in the Narnia story. I wonder if those of you who know the story can remember where it all fits in.
THE NEW WORLD
(Produce a piece of toast and perhaps a cup of tea. If this is physically difficult, a picture on card or on a screen will do!)
http://preetamrai.com/weblog/images/kaya_toast.jpg
This comes very early in the story – when Lucy goes into the wardrobe, finds herself in a new world, and is invited home for tea by Mr Tumnus the fawn. She realises that she's arrived in a strange new world that she doesn't understand very well at all. But Tumas greets her with tea and toast.
It’s a real welcome – - a simple meal, but it helps them to get to know each other and to start to build trust and friendship.
When the shepherds saw the angels they must have felt that that were seeing a new world, one they didn’t understand. This new world had just opened before them – an angel had materialized in front of them. It says they were "terrified", and you can understand why – they'd never seen an angel before, and they couldn't work out what was going on! No wonder the angel has to begin by saying, "Do not be afraid." The shepherds journey to Bethlehem to meet the Holy family, and in so doing they build trust and friendship.
I think something similar happens nowadays when people discover Gods love for them, No, they don't see an angel, not usually! But they become aware that there's a new world they never suspected before – a whole dimension of life with the invisible friendship of God; and although they may feel afraid of making friends with someone you can't see, they realize quickly that, just like the angel, God doesn't want to terrify us. He wants to bring something very special into our lives, and that's what Christmas is all about. Jesus comes to share all of life with us, to build relationship to share in the tea and toast of life as well as the Christmas dinner.
THE BIG TEMPTATION
(Produce some Turkish Delight…)
http://www.leescandies.com/images/turkish%20delight.JPG
In the Narnia story we find Edmond the younger son, being tempted to persue his own desires over the sake of other people. His desires were to eat as much Turkish Delight as he could! This is what the White Witch gives Edmund, to persuade him to do her will. He can't get enough and dreams of having more.
Why did Jesus have to come to Bethlehem all those Christmasses ago? Because we're all a bit like Edmund – easily persuaded to do the wrong thing. This Christmas, as we celebrate, we need to remember people who are starving and homeless, and realize that so much of the trouble in our world is because of human greed and selfishness.
The angel said, "Today a Saviour has been born to you". A "Saviour" means "someone who rescues someone else". Jesus came to earth to deliver us from our own selfish desires, to help us overcome evil and to live in a different way.
THE DAWNING HOPE
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Christmas Pudding? Do you like it?
This is what the White Witch finds the animals eating by the side of the road after Father Christmas has visited Narnia. They're having a party. It's a sign that her evil rule is over, and the true King, Aslan, is coming back.
When the animals eat their Christmas Pudding in Narnia, gradually the ice melts all over the country. The evil power is gone. Yet in that moment, something very dramatic happens: she claims the life of Edmund because he is a traitor, and so he must die!
You probably know what happens next. Aslan lets the witch kill him instead. But because of "the deeper magic" which the witch doesn't understand, Aslan comes back to life and the stone table cracks in two!
As today you eat your Christmas pudding, be aware that Jesus didn’t just come as a baby, but he rose again and returned, and he hasn’t finished with us yet.. The Christmas story is not over yet, the baby who came, and died, rose again and is now seated at Gods right hand, is coming back. The Christmas story doesn’t end with the crucifixion, but continued through the resurrection to this day.
Conclusion:
http://www.keyway.ca/jpg/earth.jpg
Today we celebrate His first coming as a baby in a Manger, to some poor folks who were chosen by God. This Christmas Day , God thought giving his son Jesus offers us the greatest gifts–of new life. The gift of forgiveness, the gift of freedom, the gift of love. These are gifts that no one can gift wrap and leave under the tree, but God gives us Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes – and Jesus grows and gives himself for us wrapped in a purple robe, crowned with thorns – he give his life so that we can live.
There is an old Fanny Crosby Hymn where she takes the idea of Jesus, the Lion – as referred to by the prophet Hosea (chapter 5), the words say:
Hosanna in the highest, all glory everlasting,
The cross and its banner triumphant shall wave;
Hosanna in the highest, all glory everlasting,
The Lion of Judah His people will save.
O the Lion of Judah hath triumphed forever,
O the Lion of Judah is mighty and strong.
This Christmas may the deeper magic of Gods love and the glory of Jesus – the lion of Judah , bring you his peace and blessing. Amen
Carol: From the squalor
Prayers & Intercessions
Florence K, Norman Kember, Tsumani, a year of hurricanes, earth quakes,
Father, we give thanks to you for the friendship and support of men and women of goodwill of every nation who have responded with concern to the capture of the peace workers in Iraq .
We thank you for Christians and Moslims who have stood together in the cause of humanity and peace, and who have prayed and worked for the release of Jim Loney, Tom Fox, Harmeet Singh Sooden and Norman Kember,
We continue to pray for your good will to be done.
We pray that Norman and Jim, Tom and Harmeet may still be alive - that they are being well treated - that they have enough to eat and drink and are not cold -
We pray that they are able to face each day with your strength and grace, knowing that their brothers and sisters uphold them in prayer. And we pray that they will come safe home
We pray for Pat Kember, and for the families of all the hostages.
God of all comfort, support and help them, and keep hope alive in their hearts.
We pray for those who are labouring for their release - bless their perseverence -enhance their skills and understanding, and grant them a successful outcome.
We pray for their captors, that faced with the reality of men of sincerity and peace they will nor find it in their hearts to kill or abuse, but will be recalled to their own humanity, and act in those ways that will be acceptable to you.
God of love, justice and peace, hear our prayers, for Christ's sake
Amen
Hymn: O come, all ye faithful
Christmas Blessing