Children's Christmas Advent 2

Psalm 98:4     21 st Century King James Version 

4 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth! Make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise!


Hymn : I heard the Bells vs 1 and 2

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.





Why do Churches have bells???



Most Churches have bells.

People ring Church bells to celebrate something happy, to announce good news.

Bells are used to tell us that something good is coming. Santa even puts jingle bells on his reindeer.

Church bells ringing remind us that God is calling all of us.

We are all called to Church to hear the happy news the angels shared long ago. The good news is that Jesus was born. Today our choir is going to sing like the angels and our band is going to play their musical instruments like the angels long ago.


Luke 2: 13-14 When Jesus was born the angels sang "Glory to God in heaven. Peace to all men and women- On earth who please God."


The angels were so happy about  Jesus birth because God loved us so much God sent this little baby to grow up and teach the whole world about peace and love and happiness. God wants us all to be happy and live a good life, and Jesus is still changing the world even today beginning with you and me.





Hymn Hope is A Star verses 1 and 2


1. Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.

Refrain:
When God is a child there's joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.

2. Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
giving a promise of safety and worth.





Children's prayer


Dear God, thank you for Jesus and this Christmas time of year when we come to Church and celebrate Jesus Birthday and ring out the bells and sing.


Hymn Ding Dong! Merrily on High


Ding dong merrily on high,
In heav'n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv'n with angel singing.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!


E'en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And "Io, io, io!"
By priest and people sungen.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rime
Your evetime song, ye singers.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Sermon : Children's story : The littlest angel


A long time ago. There were no decorated Christmas trees, no Christmas presents, on choirs singing. But there were angels in heaven.

I would like all the children to help me with the sound effects for this story so listen very carefully, and see what the actors are doing.

The story is about the Littlest Angel, The littlest angel is at the top of the steps near the singers in the choir, and for our story today, all the singers in the choir are also angels.

The littlest angel had just got her wings and was just learning how to fly. Angel Gabriel (Eric) Stood up and in a ringing voice made an important announcement. Tonight, we fly to earth, to sing songs of great joy, for a very special Prince is being born, a Prince of peace for the whole world.

The littlest angel jumped up and down. What a great way to celebrate!

The littlest angel put her hand to her head,and  thought  maybe the other angels would not let her go, she could not fly fast enough to keep up.


 She got an idea, she would get a head start, if she left now, so she could get there at the same time as the other angels. Maybe she could even stop and pick some special star flowers with golden centers, and very white petals, to give as a gift to the new baby.

So off the little angel went down to earth.

All angels have a very good navigation system.

The littlest angel knew she could land close to the town of Bethlehem where the baby Prince would be.

But, when the little angel landed. It was starting to get dark. She looked around. Where was the town of Bethlehem.

Then she looked down and saw thetown and the dirt road going to it.


 Now the littlest angel had 2 star flowers in her hand which she had already picked.


All of a sudden, the littlest angels stopped and listened :  she heard a mother dove cooing sadly from a high tree branch near her.

Everybody say coo, coo, coo. Oh no, her baby had fallen from the nest and was too young to fly.

The littlest angel put down the 2 star flowers and gently picked up the little bird and flew up to place the baby back in the nest.

Suddenly, the little angel stopped /a bell rang through the quiet night. What was that?

The little angel picked up 1 flower and started to walk on the path again. This time she stubbed her toe on a stone in the road.

The little angel started hopping around holding her injured foot. Everybody say ouch, ouch, ouch!

All of sudden, the littlest angels stopped and listened she heard a lamb baa­ing. Everybody ~ baa, baa, baa.

She looked down and there was a lamb in the bushes, beside the path. The little lamb had hurt it's foot too.

The littlest angel put down her star flower. She picked up the little lamb and put it over her shoulder and continued down the path. Come with me to Bethlehem the little angel said to the lamb.

Suddenly, the angel stopped, another bell rang out through the quiet night. What on earth was that sound?
 
 The lamb was starting to get so heavy. How much farther was it.

All of a sudden the little angel looked up and saw the brightest star she had ever seen shining over a stable. (shine light on star) Could that be the place?

 There in the stable sat a young woman holding a newborn baby in her arms. A man wearing robes sat looking at the baby.

The littlest angel set the lamb down in the stable near the mother and baby. Where it could rest its sore foot.


The littlest angel held up her hands to show she did not have a gift for the baby.

But Mary looked up at the littlest angel and told her you already gave two great gifts tonight.Each time you heard the bells ring out / it was because you helped / one of God's creatures / that needed help. Your  I good deeds caused the chimes of love to ring out tonight.

Because of this / I want you to visit earth every year on my baby Jesus'birthday and bring this music to people of good will.

Doh! The littlest Angel was so happy. such a big job for one so little! She flew back to Heaven as fast as she could. And  every Christmas, if  you listen very closely, you'll hear this magical bell ring out - that is, if you've been kind and good throughout the year.! That means that  when you can /to do good things 0 to help God's creature's and to help other people all year long.



Christmas Bells (to the tune of Jingle Bells 

Christmas Bells, Christmas Bells Ringing through the air

Telling of the birth of Christ

To people (or children) everywhere Oh! (repeat)


Down in Bethlehem Came a little baby boy In a stable dark and dim Bringing hope and joy


Bells on churches ring To celebrate that night

That Jesus came new life to bring

He's The Way, The Truth, The Life ... Oh!


Christmas Bells, Christmas Bells Ringing through the air

Telling of the birth of Christ

To people (or children) everywhere (repeat)