In most families Christmas
Eve and Day are busy, chaotic times. It
is not easy to get a family that includes overly-excited children to
church. But, it is worth the
effort. Children (and their parents)
actually need it. The church helps when
it articulates for parents clear reasons
to make the effort. Here is my starter
list of reasons.
To hear the story read or
told in an important way on the “night it happened” – Children
like hearing the story of their birth on their birthday and celebrating other
big events on “the very day it happened.”
So, the story which may have been acted out in a pageant and discussed
in church school and read at home, feels more “real” when read on Christmas Eve
or Day in the sanctuary.
To go to church at night –
These days children are at church most often during the day. To go at night to a decorated, even
candle-lit church is almost magical.
When the family makes this an important part of Christmas – even in the
middle of the chaos – just being there reminds children what is most important
about Christmas.
To be with a crowd telling
the story –
Joining church friends in a packed sanctuary reminds children that this story
is something bigger than just their family traditions. They are part of a huge family of families who
celebrate Jesus’ birth.
To sing the carols at
least one more time
– Not many families sing together at home
and not many children’s groups sing religious carols any more. That means we need to be intentional about
singing with the carols with the children.
And, who would want to miss singing “Silent Night” in the Christmas Eve
sanctuary while hugging your child!
To create a context in
which to discover the truth about Santa – If Santa is all
there is to Christmas Eve once children learn “the truth,” Christmas is just a
greedy gift grab. But, if Christmas Eve
has always circled around the story of Jesus told in the sanctuary, the truth
about Santa can be fit into that context and the Christmas celebration gets richer.
To create memories -
Worshiping on Christmas Eve or Day as a family creates over the years a treasure
trove of memories. Some of them shine
with wonder. Others make for eye-rolling
stories that are retold every Christmas.
These memories are precious for both the children as they mature and the
parents as they age.
What would you add?
Nice list! Is it OK to reprint this list and share it with families in our congregation?
ReplyDeleteSo that as adults we can learn from children's wonder and incredible spirituality. Often we allow ourselves to miss out and we don't have to!
ReplyDeleteI love this thought.
DeleteIt wasn't Christmas Eve, but when growing up one of the most wonderful services was the Christmas Carol Service, the Sunday night before Christmas.
DeleteBecause Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.
ReplyDeletecould we post this to our church facebook page indicating authorship?
ReplyDeleteYes, you can post it. Attrribute it to worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com by Carolyn C. Brown
DeleteGreat thoughts. Raising children in church is important, especially over these special holidays.
ReplyDeleteIf we never include children in our services of worship on Christmas Eve or Day or at other times for that matter, what makes us think they will feel part of the larger church family and want to join us in worship when they grow up?
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, a few children might be noisy sometimes, or cranky, or fall asleep. That's okay. The Midnight Mass is a service with a lot of action and not too much talking. The homily is usually short, and there's a lot of music, so most children will make it through just fine.
ReplyDeletewe tried get church Christmas eve and one became a minister. in fact he posted this blog.
ReplyDeleteWe have a lovely family that has made the midnight service their tradition. Since the children were infants they come to the service in their pajamas. Every year they choose the new pj's they want to wear to church on Christmas Eve.
ReplyDeleteWe have a live Nativity at our church on Christmas eve and a candlelight service at 11:00. Just beautiful and comforting.
ReplyDeleteMy Mother used to read Luke to us right before bed, after we'd been to church, midnight service. Myself and sibs still do.
ReplyDeleteOur eye roller! Baby girl, age 14 months, got sick during the processional due to shots the day before. Daddy went out with her to take her home. Keys were locked in the car. Came back in and got Grampa's keys. By then mom and four-year-old girl decided to go home with him, leaving Gramma and Grampa and Uncle in the pew and with no car. Daddy took all the girls home in Grampa's car. Worship finally ended. Gramma, Grampa and Uncle waited outside the church in below zero weather while Daddy drove Grampa's car back to church, bringing keys for his car. Everyone ended up at home.
ReplyDeleteOh my! An eye roller indeed! And all "baby girl" contributed was understandable shot reaction. The adults did the rest. We all need all the help we can get on Christmas Eve and every other day:)!!!
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