Christmas Eve Resources
Last year, we hosted the Easy Bake Christmas Eve Exchange where ministry leaders shared their little to no prep Christmas Eve service resources. We’ve opened access to that folder again this year, and shared all of the resources below just in case you are looking for something either for Christmas Eve or the Sunday after Christmas. If you have some favourites that you are willing to share freely with the community, let us know and we’ll add it to this post for others (maybe for this year, or for those who need ideas in years to come).
Christmas Eve – Kids (or really any ages) Interactive Script
*All Kids are at the left side of the stage ready to enter as called**
Narrator: Entering stage left with a small brown packaged gift
“Joy to the world! Since the very beginning, when people chose to turn from God, the world has been a dark place. Things fall apart. We all face pain and brokenness and difficult times. God knew how desperately we needed HOPE . . . RESCUE . . . and He knew we needed a reason to choose JOY. So God planned an incredible gift. Now you and I know that something like that can’t be put inside a box, but maybe this will help up think about the story. I love to tell it, again and again. And maybe tonight my young friends can help me do just that. Are you ready?”
*Look to kids + helpers and make sure everyone is ready to go
Narrator: “God whispered about this gift to prophets and poets over hundreds of years.
But the very first person to discover that God’s gift was coming right NOW was a girl named Mary.”
*Enter child with a blue head scarf, walk to middle of stage and stop
Narrator: “Mary was an ordinary teenager living in the ordinary town of Nazareth in the middle of nowhere special. And yet, God chose her. He sent an angel with this incredible message.”
Christmas Quest: Bible Trivia Extravaganza!
True or False: Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem on a donkey.
Answer: False - although it is commonly included in the story, the book of Luke never mentions a donkey.
Who announced to Mary that she would conceive a child?
Answer: The angel Gabriel
What guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of Jesus?
Answer: A star (Matthew 2)
In which city was Jesus born?
Answer: Bethlehem
Who visited Mary and Joseph in the stable after Jesus was born?
Answer: Shepherds
What gifts did the Wise Men bring to Jesus?
Answer: Gold, frankincense, and myrrh
Which angel appeared to Zechariah to foretell the birth of John the Baptist?
Answer: The angel Gabriel
Who were the parents of John the Baptist?
Answer: Zechariah and Elizabeth
What did the angels say to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus?
Answer: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (Luke 2:14)
Finish the lyrics: "Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the newborn _____."
Answer: King
In "Silent Night," what is described as "round yon virgin mother and child"?
Answer: Holy infant so tender and mild
Which Christmas carol is known as the "Bohemian Carol" and celebrates the arrival of the three Wise Men?
Answer: "We Three Kings"
In which Gospel do we find the detailed account of the birth of Jesus?
Answer: Luke
What does the name "Immanuel" mean?
Answer: God with us
Who proclaimed, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given"?
Answer: Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6)
Where did Mary place the baby Jesus after His birth?
Answer: In a manger
Christmas Eve Service: "Bethlehem's Gift"
Introduction: The Setting of Bethlehem
In the town of Bethlehem, a bustling marketplace resonated with the vibrant hum of anticipation. The air was charged with the scent of spices, and the night sky sparkled above, hinting at an extraordinary event about to unfold.
Act 1: Mary and Joseph's Journey
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7
In the midst of this lively atmosphere, a young couple named Mary and Joseph embarked on a journey, not just to fulfill a census but to fulfill a divine prophecy. As Joseph, a descendant of David, pondered the unfolding events, the angelic echoes of Isaiah's words resounded in his heart: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).
Hymns/Song Suggestion:
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
"Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)"
Act 2: The Shepherds' Awakening
Scripture: Luke 2:8-20
In the outskirts of Bethlehem, shepherds tended to their flocks
Craft: Bethlehem Gift Jars
Materials:
• Small, clear glass or plastic jars with lids
• Battery-operated tea lights or fairy lights
• Craft materials for decorating (fabric, ribbons, twine, burlap)
• Small nativity cut-outs
• Artificial straw or hay
• Small decorative tags
• Glue
• Scissors
Prepare the Jars:
Provide each participant with a small clear jar.
Encourage them to remove the lid and set it aside for decorating.
Create the Bethlehem Scene:
Inside the jar, place a small amount of artificial straw or hay to represent the manger
Add Nativity Elements:
Glue in silhouette cut-outs within the straw. Position them to create a scene.
Decorate the Lid:
Use fabric, ribbons, twine, or burlap or consider painting it dark blue with glittery stars.
Attach a Decorative Tag:
Have participants write a short message or verse related to the Christmas story on a small decorative tag. Attach the tag to the jar using twine or ribbon.
Light up the Jar:
Place a battery-operated tea light or fairy lights inside the jar and reattach the lid
Service Outline: "Gifts of Faith, Love, and Hope"
Provide materials in small bags for families to grab as they arrive:
· clear ball ornament
· string
· sand or artificial snow
· 3 strips of paper
· Markers and/ pencils.
Welcome and Introduction
Reflecting on the Gift of Jesus
Emphasize Jesus as God's gift to save, guide, and support us.
Highlight the significance of Christ as the greatest gift, providing purpose and anticipation for the future.
Sharing Christmas Gifts
Ask: what is the best Christmas Gift you’ve ever received?
Acknowledge the gifts people received.
Show: some of your favourite gifts from previous years
Using Our Gifts
Draw parallels between physical gifts and the gift of Jesus.
Highlight the importance of actively using the gifts received.
Emphasize that a good gift becomes great when used.
Craft Activity: Christmas Ornament Time Capsule
Throughout the service, give prompts for each strip of paper:
Way #1: Christ’s Gift of Faithfulness
Give a reflection about Christ’s gift of faithfulness.
After this short message ask:
How has God been faithful to you this year?
What are you thankful for in your life?
Ask families to write done one of their responses on a slip of paper.
Way #2: Christ’s Gift of Love and Sacrifice
Give a reflection about Christ’s love and sacrifice
After this short message ask:
What is one way you can love someone differently this year?
What is something loving that someone did for you?
Ask families to write done one of their responses on a slip of paper.
Way #3: Hope For The Future
Give a short reflection about Christ’s hope for the future
What are you hopeful for in the next year – how can you make sure Christ is at the center of that hope?
Ask families to write done one of their responses on a slip of paper.
Encourage participants to seal their thoughts in the ornament, adding sand by the end.
Reflection and Closing
Reflect on the meaningful ways the church family has experienced God's work.
Conclude with excitement for witnessing God's continued work in the upcoming year.
Invite everyone to display their unique Christmas ornament time capsules at home as a reminder of God's faithfulness.
Benediction
Offer a closing prayer, expressing gratitude for the gift of Jesus and anticipating a blessed year ahead.
Paper Star Activity for Christmas Eve Service
A simple and way to engage the congregation in reflection and prayer during the Christmas Eve service.
Preparation:
Cut out star shapes from construction paper or cardstock (approximately 5–6 inches wide). Or provide templates for attendees to trace and cut themselves.
Provide pens, markers, or crayons for writing or decorating.
Set up a small Christmas tree, a wall display, or a hanging line with clothespins where the stars can be displayed.
During the Service:
Explain the activity's purpose as a way to reflect on the light of Christ and share prayers, hopes, or blessings.
Encourage everyone to write a response to one of the following prompts:
A prayer for peace or hope this Christmas.
A word of thanks for God’s faithfulness this year.
A blessing or message they want to share with the community.
Decorating:
Allow families or individuals to decorate their stars with drawings or colours.
Sharing the Stars:
Invite everyone to bring their stars forward and place them on the tree, pin them to a display, or hang them on a string.
For a quieter service, this can be done during reflective music or a carol.
For a more interactive service, invite a few people to read or share what they wrote on their stars before hanging them up.
Conclusion
Tie the stars to the theme of Christmas, such as the star that led the wise men to Christ, and encourage attendees to reflect on how they can bring light into the world. The stars can remain as a visual reminder of the congregation's collective prayers and blessings through the next several weeks.
Granny Mae’s Christmas Play - A Retelling of the Christmas Story based on Luke 2:1-20
Characters: Narrator, Mary, Gabriel, Joseph, donkey, 4 innkeepers, barn animals, sheep, shepherds, angels
Narrator: Many years ago, there lived a girl named Mary. She was a good girl. One day, an angel named Gabriel stopped by to visit her. Mary was scared. Scared half to death. And who wouldn’t be? So Gabriel said to her...
Gabriel: Don’t be afraid Mary!
Narrator: Gabriel told Mary that she was going to have a baby, and that the baby would be Jesus. Gabriel told her that God himself would be the father and that he would send his Holy Spirit to make the child grow inside of her. Mary thought about what the angel said. She was a smart girl. She didn’t jump into anything. And after she thought awhile, she gave her answer.
Mary: If that’s what God wants, then that’s what I’ll do.
Who is Going to Bethlehem? A Christmas Program
This service outline weaves together music, scripture readings, reflections, and dramatic narrations to guide worshippers through the Biblical and spiritual significance of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus. The service is designed to inspire contemplation of the past, engage with the present, and anticipate the future, highlighting God’s continuous work in the world. Includes readings from Ruth, 1 Samuel, Micah, Isaiah and Luke.
Video Christmas Pageant
A flexible Nativity pageant format designed for Christmas Eve, where families act out short scenes from the Nativity story either by pre-recording videos at home and submitting them ahead of time. Scripts are tailored to participants, making it accessible for all ages, and filming can happen at home, outdoors, or in the church. Pre-recorded scenes are edited together for a seamless presentation, or live performances can transition smoothly with carols or scripture readings. Simple costumes are optional, and families focus on their assigned scene, allowing for creativity and reflection on the Christmas story.
Blessing Exchange
Encourages congregants to share meaningful blessings or prayers with one another, building connection, gratitude, and the spirit of giving during the Christmas Eve service.
Preparation:
Provide small slips of paper or notecards (preferably festive or thematic paper).
Set up a station with pens or markers, or place them in the pews before the service.
(Optional) Provide envelopes for participants to place their blessings in.
During the Service:
Introduction:
Explain that the Blessing Exchange is an opportunity to share words of encouragement, hope, or prayer with someone else in the congregation.
Tie the activity to the Christmas story, emphasizing the blessings shared between Mary, Elizabeth, the shepherds, and the wise men as they celebrated Jesus' birth.
Writing the Blessing:
Invite attendees to write a short message or blessing. Examples include:
“May the light of Christ fill your heart with peace and joy this season.”
“Praying for you to feel God’s love and strength in the coming year.”
“Wishing you and your family hope and peace this Christmas.”
Encourage congregants to write from the heart, making their blessing personal or reflective. Children who are pre-writers can decorate their blessings with drawings and doodles.
Exchanging the Blessings:
Option 1: After writing, have participants randomly exchange blessings by placing them in a basket and drawing a different one.
Option 2: Encourage attendees to walk around the sanctuary, find someone, and personally hand them their blessing.
Option 3: For smaller or closer-knit congregations, blessings can be passed directly to a neighbour in the pews.
Reflection:
Once everyone has received a blessing, encourage a moment of quiet reflection to read the message and pray for the person who wrote it.
Close the activity by emphasizing the importance of sharing Christ’s love through words and actions.
Concluding the Activity:
The Blessing Exchange can be accompanied by a carol or prayer to tie the moment into the broader themes of the service. Encourage everyone to take their blessings home as a reminder of the joy and community of Christmas.