Opening Words: A Responsive Reading

I invite you to draw near.
Let us gather together.

I invite you to open your eyes to the sights and your ears to the sounds.
Let us gather together in the embrace of each other, in the love that is Christmas.

I invite you to find wonder and mystery and to believe in miracles.
Let us gather together to discover the hope that is Christmas.

I invite you to draw near.
Let us gather together to find Christmas.

Chalice Lighting

Light of Warmth,
Light of Hope,
Light of Love,
Light our way this morning as we journey to find Christmas.
Light our way now and forever onward.
(turn on chalice flame)

First Story: The Three Wise Women by Mary Hoffman
(Dial Books for Young Readers)

Sharing the stars, symbols of light

#237 The First Nowell
Singing The Living Tradition

Joys and Concerns

Choir Anthem: A Gift for Every Child by Sally K. Albrecht

Second Story: Red Parka Mary by Peter Eyvindson
Sharing the hearts, symbols of love

Offertory
"Much of what is Christmas is a feeling -- a mood, a time of year filled with fellowship and generosity. As we give now, let us feel the joy of giving that is so much a part of the spirit of Christmas. We will now accept the offering."

Third Story: The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
(Houghton Mifflin Co (Juv))

Sharing the bells, symbols of hope.

#248 Oh, We Believe in Christmas

Mitten Tree

A long-standing Christmas tradition in our church, and many Unitarian Universalist churches, is the decorating of the mitten tree. The tree starts off bare, with no decorations on it, just as a tree is found in it's natural environment. We've taken the liberty of putting on some white lights to make it a little more festive!

We gather around the tree as we sing Deck the Halls and drape mittens and scarves and hats on the tree. We all know how cold our winters are, and we want to show that we care about others who may not have such essentials as a pair of mittens or a warm hat to wear. We celebrate the sharing and the warmth that we can give to others this day.

This year the mittens will be donated to_______________.

Let us join in singing Deck the Halls, #235 in the hymnal Singing The Living Tradition.

#235 Deck the Halls

Closing Words

It happened in the time of Rabbi Akiva that he was walking near the gates of the old City of Jerusalem. The wise sage saw an old man carrying a lantern. He hobbled slowly and carefully as he trudged along. But as the old man passed, the Rabbi saw that this old man with the lantern was the blind man of the town.

So the rabbi approached the old man and asked him," Old man, you are blind. You can not benefit from a lantern. Why do you carry one so carefully? Why a light for one who cannot perceive it?"

"Ah," said the blind man "but YOU can see the light. And with that light YOU can tell me if there are pitfalls in my way. In that, light is a benefit for me. You can use it to do the good deed of "loving kindness" in helping one less fortunate that yourself."

Rabbi Akiva nodded at the wisdom of the old man. For those who cannot physically see can see in another realm. The light of the spirit of human kindness glows bright. And wisdom is not held by ages alone.

May this season of lights bring you all health, happiness and joy. May you never know from want, cold, fear, or loneliness. And may the light of the season bring you, and all of us, peace.

#347 Gather the Spirit

The symbols we shared during our service
HEARTS were made by the Grade 5 and 6 class out of braiding twine tied with red yarn -- one of many great craft ideas from The UU Kids Book (Brotman-Marshfield, 1989).

BELLS were purchased at a wholesale craft shop and red yam was tied on them so that they could be hung on a tree.

STARS were made by making foil origami triangles and gluing them together. Consider buying pre-cut origami foil paper -- it's much easier than cutting wrapping paper. We punched holes and put gold shiny thread through to hang them.

I am sure there are many ways to make the ornaments; folks can do what works best for them! We had the kids make them over the preceding weeks. We had them in baskets which the kids passed around while we hummed the song that was to be sung next. It worked really well!!