I attend a small Baptist Church...around 50-60 people on any given Sunday. Every year at Christmas we do a somewhat traditional Christmas program.
This year I've decided to mix it up a bit (I'm part of about a 4-6 person worship team) and the worship team is going to do the program. Part of this is because attendence is down some, and I don't want half the church to be in the choir. I want more people to enjoy it.
So what I am doing this year is combing through tons and tons of music and putting together about 7-10 songs that our group will do as a mix; Solo's, Duet's and the group as a whole.
What I want is something that's a bit non traditional in the sense of things to read between the songs. I think our congregation is so used to the same reading each year (or similar) that I want something that will get them involved in the sense that an audience can get involved.
Any suggestsions?
Christmas Program
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Bobby Hamilton, Oct 29, 2010.
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You could have them read passages for the many different names for God and tell what those names mean. (Savior, Alphea and Omega, Lamb, Vine, etc.)
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One of the Christmas services which made quite an impression on me was a few years ago when the young people in the church performed the Christmas story behind a sceen in silhouette, as it was narrated by a young teen sitting at a desk speaking out loud what he was writing. The performance was very effective and moving.
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But if you're excluding half the church so you can have an audience for your "team," then you will have one contentious Christmas. -
About 7 people (aside from our group) showed up. We will let anyone who wants to participate, participate. Either by reading, a song they want to sing..etc.
Hence why I was asking you guys on advice for that, not suggestions that I'm excluding the church and having a contentious Christmas. -
That's kind of cool, I like that.
I've got about 4-5 songs picked out. One gal (who's not in our group) is going to do a solo, and I think an older couple who is usually in the choir wants to do a reading. I want to put it together to reflect a kind of program. -
I've done and seen done some very effective Christmas programs where teh worship team did just what you are suggesting.
Rightly told messages intermingled with rightly sung and placed songs (and don't be afraid to get out of the traditional hymn book!) can really have an impact on the people and yet require very a small production in time, space, and expense.
I did it once when I approached the Christmas story from Paul's perspective by reading Galatians 4:4-6 with Isaiah 7:14, intermingled with the more traditional Christmas passages in Matthew and Luke.
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. -
I know the Actual song leader has a few non traditional hymns he would like to use, and I actually have a song or two I want to Cherry Pick out of the programs we've done the last few years.
What I want to do is keep the readings somewhat brief, but I want them to be profound. I want the points to come across strong. -
I think you have a great idea. You might want to take a look at what Max Lucado's books about Christmas. I especially like his questions he wanted to ask Mary.
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This year, our church choir is doing something different from past years. We're doing a Gaither homecoming-style program.
The folks will be seated on the platform, and various members will do solos, duets, our men's quartet, and, of course, the choir. We're pulling favorites from past Christmas cantatas over the years.
The types of music will run the gamut from slick to hick. -
I wish we had the congregation to do it.
I've attended large churches and small ones. Each have their advantages. -
We're blessed by some people who can read music and have strong voices, and at least five who can sing solos.
We're sitting down because some of our folks are getting older and have trouble standing for 30 minutes. -
That's pretty close to where we are.
Had a meeting yesterday. Went well. Hopefully this is a good sign of things to come. -
I need some good Christian Christmas readings. Any help?
I've obviously taken some Bible passages, looking for some other readings somewhere between 1-2 minutes each. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've done some searching online but can't seem to find anything solid. -
I'm not completely on board with Max Lucado, but he is a gifted writer that can turn a phrase as good as most other great writers.
Check here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1595548521/?tag=baptis04-20 -
Thanks. I may see if I can find that book and see what I find in it.
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Story of the Christmas truce
If you want to take a look at Oh Holy Night: The Peace of 1914, I'd be glad to email you the pdf, 8 mb; 96 pp.
See my website or amazon for short review