Celebrate
Community Care Ministries – Visitation Program
December 2015
Celebrate Christ!
Objects needed: Bell, Christmas stocking, miniature Christmas tree, candy cane, toy snowman and an angel tree-topper. Christmas carol songbooks/songsheets (Large print for residents—see attached file)
Welcome & Introduction of The Salvation Army Volunteers
Carol Sing (Select several):
| SB#84 – Joy to the World!
CF#2 |
TB-103 – same
CF-1 |
HTD4-T9 (3 vs.)
|
| SB#86 – O little town of Bethlehem
CF#8 |
TB-156 – same
CF-2 |
HTD3-T5 (3 vs.) |
| SB#77 – Away in a Manger
CF#16 |
TB-564 – Manger Scene
CF-4 |
HTD6-T14 (3 vs.)
|
| SB#82 – Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
CF#1 |
TB-322 – same
CF-1 |
HTD4-T5 (3 vs.) |
| CF#24 – It Came upon the Midnight Clear | CF-6 | |
| CF#23 – I Heard the Bells | CF-5 | |
| SB#89 – Silent Night
CF#25 |
TB-800 – Stille Nacht
CF-6 |
HTD4-T15 (3 vs.) |
Prayer
Devotional – Celebrate Christ!
What do you love about Christmas? (Allow residents to answer) There are so many things I love about Christmas: beautiful music, yummy Christmas cookies, sparkling lights and candles, lots of presents, laughter, and so many other things!
Today I brought with me some of the things we use at Christmas as decorations to celebrate this very special time of year, Christ’s birthday. These objects help us to remember the reason we celebrate Christ’s coming so long ago, and what that means for us today. (Ask for helpers to hold the items as you talk about them; have volunteers read the verses listed)
-
BELL
Long ago the birth of Christ was heralded by the angels and the news “rang out” that Christ was born!
Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
2. Stocking
God gave Christ as our gift from Him. He loved us so much that he wanted to fill our “stockings” (our lives) with love and give us the gift of Heaven. It is only through Him that we have salvation.
Romans 6:23 (NIV)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
John 3:16 (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
3. Christmas Tree
Christ loved us so much that he was born that He could die for us on an old rugged tree to take away our sin.
Romans 5:8 (NIV)
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
4. Candy Cane
Christ endured the suffering of the cross, was beaten, and shed his blood for us.
Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
5. Snowman
If we receive Christ and confess Him as Lord, our sins will be washed whiter than snow.
Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)
18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
- Angel
Even the angels in heaven rejoice when one person accepts the gift of Christ and eternal life.
Luke 15:10 (NIV)
10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
This Christmas, as you look around and see the many decorations, remember that Jesus came to give you forgiveness of sins, and to provide a way for you to have eternal life with Him. If you would like to ask Jesus into your life as Leader and Savior from sin, pray this prayer with me:
Dear Jesus,
I know that I’m a sinner and need Your forgiveness.
I believe that You died for my sins.
I want to turn away from my sins.
I now invite You to come into my heart and life.
I want to trust and follow You as the Lord and Savior of my life.
In Your name, and in Whom I celebrate this season, Amen!
Closing Carol:
| SB#85 – O Come, All Ye Faithful
CF#6 |
TB-552 – Adeste Fideles
CF-2 |
HTD3-T1 (3 vs.) |
Prayer
