Sing a Song of Christmas!”
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Kids’ Christmas Program December 24, 2015 4:00 PM “Sing a Song of Christmas!” Have you ever wondered who wrote the Christmas carols we know and love so much? This worship service highlights the history and meaning of many of the familiar songs we sing at Christmas. As the story of each song is told, we will sing and celebrate together our joy in Jesus, the newborn King! Song: “Christmastime” Wednesday Night Live Singers Ring Christmas bells, ring them loud with a message bringing peace on the earth, tidings of good cheer. Come carolers, come and join with the angels singing, “Joy to the world!” Christmas time is here again. Children gather around and listen, you’ll hear the sound of angels filling the sky, telling ev’ry-one Christmastime is here. Ring Christmas bells, ring them loud with a message bringing peace on the earth, tidings of good cheer. Come carolers, come and join with the angels singing, “Joy to the world!” Christmas time is here again. Loved ones close to our hearts and strangers in lands afar together sharing the joy. Emmanuel, go tell the world He has come to dwell. The time is near, with one voice let the world rejoice. Ring Christmas bells, ring them loud with a message bringing peace on the earth, tidings of good cheer. Come carolers, come and join with the angels singing, “Joy to the world!” Christmas time is here again. Christmas time is here again. Christmas time is here again. The Story of “The First Noel” Noel, noel. “Noel.” That’s a word we use a lot during the Christmas season. It comes from a Latin word that means “birth.” It’s also the French word for Christmas! The word Noel means Christmas for us, too. Even though the word comes from Latin, the song called “The First Noel” is an English carol. It is an old song, sung by so many people for so many years, even though we don’t know if any one person wrote the words. It tells the story of the angels and shepherds and wise men, and their joy in Jesus! Song: “The First Noel” Verse 1: Lyla Dollar, Lilly Erickson, Kayden Erling, Esther Langness, Ruth Ann Langness, Hannah Schmitt The first Noel the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel. Verse 2: Lyla Dollar, Lilly Erickson, Kayden Erling, Josh Federico, Brooklynn McMacken, Hannah Schmitt, Holly Schmitt They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east beyond them far; And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel. Verse 3: Lilly Brinkman, Josh Federico, Esther Langness, Ruth Ann Langness, Hannah Schmitt, Holly Schmitt And by the light of that same star Three Wise Men came from country far; To seek for a king was their intent, And to follow the star wherever it went. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel. The Christmas star is pretty important in this song. In this song the star announces the birth of Christ to shepherds on Christmas night. And later the star announced Jesus’ birth to the wise men. What a star! What a story! Some of the first people to meet Jesus were gathered together by that star. Do you think that Christmas star is still shining? It shines on us—and in us—and through us. We shine with joy in Jesus! The Story of “Away in a Manger” Now let’s learn about “Away in a Manger.” People like to call this hymn “Martin Luther’s Cradle Song.” Except that Martin Luther didn’t really write it. An American poet, James Murray, wrote it in 1884, shortly after the 400th anniversary of Luther’s birth. Maybe that’s why we call it Luther’s cradle song! It is sung to different tunes. We’ll sing it now using one of the more familiar melodies. Song: “Away in a Manger” Verse 1: Sunday School Kids in Grades 4 and Younger Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. Verse 2: Lyla Dollar, Lilly Erickson, Kayden Erling, Ruth Ann Langness, Hannah Schmitt, Holly Schmitt The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. Verse 3: Lilly Brinkman, Josh Federico, Esther Langness, Brooklynn McMacken, Hannah Schmitt, Holly Schmitt Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And take us to heaven to live with Thee there. When I sing this carol, I feel like I am looking right into Jesus’ manger bed. I want to kneel and fold my hands to pray. This carol is a great prayer—for Christmas or for any other time. And it’s not just a prayer for us, but for all children loved and protected by God. Do you think we can include adults in this prayer? Of course. In Jesus, adults, too, are all children of God: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith” (Galatians 3:26). Who would have thought that a baby in a manger bed would be the Savior of the world? Only God could come up with a plan like that! Handbells Song: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” Wednesday Night Live Ringers The Story of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” The next Christmas hymn we are going to sing is very different. It is called “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Charles Wesley wrote this song more than 250 years ago, in 1739. The tune is by the famous composer, Felix Mendelssohn. Charles Wesley wrote over 6000 hymns in his lifetime, and we still sing a lot of them today. He wrote this song especially as a hymn for Christmas Day. This is not a Christmas lullaby like “Away in a Manger,” but instead a triumphant song of joy and praise. Get ready to join the angels in praising Jesus, the newborn King! Song: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” Verse 1: Sunday School Kids in Grades 4 and Younger Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Verse 2: Lilly Brinkman, Lyla Dollar, Lilly Erickson, Esther Langness, Ruth Ann Langness, Holly Schmitt Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold Him come, Off-spring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the God-head see, Hail the incarnate Deity! Pleased as Man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel! Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Verse 3: Lilly Brinkman, Lilly Erickson, Kayden Erling, Josh Federico, Esther Langness, Brooklynn McMacken, Hannah Schmitt Hail, the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Wow! That song didn’t sound like a lullaby! No, this is a strong statement of what we believe about Jesus. A statement of what we believe is called a creed. The word creed means “I believe.” These are some of the “I believe” truths we sing about in this hymn. I believe…that Jesus has reconciled us to God. That means he has made us friends with God. I believe…that all creation praises God! I believe…that our songs and praises join the praise of the angels and all of creation. I believe…that Jesus was born of a virgin. I believe…that Jesus is both human and divine. I believe…that we call Jesus Emmanuel because that name means that God is with us. I believe…that Jesus is the Light and life of the world. I believe…that Jesus conquers death for me. I believe…that Jesus gives me new life! All that is in this hymn?! I believe it is. What a hymn! What a Savior! Song: “For the Glory of the King” Wednesday Night Live Singers Angels shouting declarations as the stars reveal the wonder of the joy of all the heavens. O holy night. Breaking through the veil of hist’ry, shining through the waiting darkness, gathering to shout salvation a glorious light. This is the moment we’ve all waited for. This is the moment we’re created for. For the glory of the King. For the honor of His name. For the day of his renown, and everlasting fame. Ev’ry breath is filled with song. Ev’ry thought is turned to praise. Ev’ry heart is lifted up and becomes an offering. For the glory of the King. Come and bow in expectation where the great and lowly gather.