Whose Day Is it?

Short Talk (SHT183) Christmas: Whose day is it? © Jane Hulme 2019 Aim of Short talk: Use of Short talk: Main themes: Biblical references: Lectionary: Props: To encourage people to focus upon and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus. This is a short All Age talk picking out one issue from the Lectionary Gospel reading of the Sunday main service. The talk stands alone and assumes that the Gospel Bible reading may not yet have been read to the congregation. It could be used for example, for the whole congregation before the children go out to their age specific groups, leaving the adults with a full sermon later. Christmas Day, Jesus, Celebration, Saviour Luke 2:1-20 Year A – Christmas Day You need a table at the front of church on which you lay out your props. You need the following props: • 3 pieces of different coloured tinsel • A plate with Christmas treats on it; eg. Mince pies, Christmas biscuits etc • A pair of socks wrapped up in Christmas wrapping paper • A slotted spoon wrapped up in Christmas wrapping paper • A way of playing some party music • A couple of photographs of family members • A roll of lining paper on which is written in large letters: “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11 NIV) 1) You need someone to play some party music on the music machine when appropriate. 2) You need someone else briefed in the congregation to stand up at the appropriate point and shout out: “It’s Christmas Day.” They then hand you the scroll of lining paper. People needed: SHORT TALK: “Christmas: Whose day is it?” .................................................................................................................. (Enter dancing to the front of church, to the sound of party music playing. When you arrive at the front, the music quietens down but can still be heard.) What a wonderful party day this is. • It has finally arrived after all of the waiting and after eating 24 chocolates from my Advent calendar! © Jane Hulme 2019 2 Oh, I love partying; it is the day to do it isn’t it? • I think that we should call this day “Partymas” (Music is turned off) Just look at all the decorations. (Pick up the 3 pieces of tinsel as you talk and wrap them around your shoulders, • I especially love tinsel; so many different colours and so twinkly. • Perhaps we should call today “Tinselmas.” Mmm, what can I smell? (Pick up plate with mince pies, Christmas biscuits etc and start to eat one of them before putting the plate back on the table.) • Oh, that is delicious.....really yummy. • Look at all of this food and this is just for starters! • You know I really think that this day should be called “Feastmas.” But what is that I see? (Pick up photographs of your family, look at them then put them on the table) • Pictures of my loved ones and they will be coming over today. • We will have some fun together, although I guess that there will be the usual arguments! • Perhaps we ought to call this day “Familymas.” Oh, how exciting.....guess what I have just spotted? • A couple of presents for me. (Pick up both presents and show them to the congregation) • Shall I open them? • Let’s see what is in this one. It looks rather exciting. (Open present that contains the socks. Pull them out and show them to the congregation) (Said with sarcasm!) Ah great....a pair of.....socks!! • Not exactly exciting, but I guess they’ll be useful. This looks interesting. (Pick up present that contains the slotted spoon and wave it around,, then undo it) • What have we got here? • A ....slotted.....spoon. • A slotted spoon? What sort of present is that? • Is someone having a laugh? I hope that there are more interesting presents waiting for me back home. • I saw loads of them under the tree before I came out earlier. • Yes, I have finally decided what this day is called..... “Presentmas” Let’s celebrate together all the wonderful presents we have been given today, shall we on this great “Presentmas Day?” (Member of congregation jumps up and shouts: “It’s Christmas Day.” They hand you the roll of lining paper then they sit down again) © Jane Hulme 2019 3 Christmas Day.... • Christ-mas Day. • Let’s see what is inside this roll of paper. • I need 2 volunteers to help me. (Receive 2 volunteers and unroll the lining paper, reading what is written ie:) “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord.” • A Saviour has been born for you and for me, and He is Christ the Lord. • So that is what this day of celebration is all about. It is about celebrating the arrival of Jesus Christ, to be our Saviour. • That is why this day is called Christ-mas Day......it is all about Him! And we can celebrate Jesus coming with joy and partying because He loves us, and He is good. • We can celebrate Jesus coming with tinsel and decorations because He is the King of Kings. • We can celebrate Jesus coming with food because one day we will join in with the heavenly banquet when we see Him face to face. • We can celebrate Jesus coming with family because we have been invited into God’s family, • and we can celebrate Jesus coming with gifts because He is the greatest gift of all. Christmas Day – it’s Jesus’ day of celebration, • so let’s celebrate! © Jane Hulme 2019 4