Archdiocesan Value Education

Centre - AVEC
Don Bosco Youth Services – Matunga, MUMBAI 400 019
Tel: 24154477 E-mail:
PRAYER avecmatunga@gmail.com
SERVICE
CHRISTMAS

PREPARATION: The Indian lamp could be lit against the background of a sunrise. As per your
creativity, think of how you could best bring alive the role play with appropriate props and
slides.

1. INTRODUCATION:
Teacher Animator: We have gathered together to celebrate a very special feast. Today we
celebrate the birthday of someone very dear to each one of us. This birthday is not an ordinary
one and there is something special about it. The lamp lit before us gives us a feeling of joy and
warmth. The flames glitter and dance to the tune of the breeze. It looks lovely and makes us feel
good. This is exactly what Jesus is doing today as he is being born in our hearts. He is the rising
sun that quenches the dark corners of our lives and permeates us with His radiance. Let us join in
the hymn JOY TO THE WORLD, thus expressing our happiness at the birth of LIGHT.

2. HYMN: Joy to the World

3. SCRIPTURE READING: Phil 2: 14-16

4. ROLE PLAY
Teacher Animator: Every child that is born in the world is a message of hope. Jesus was not
very different, however Jesus was Hope itself. We always wish for something good, something
beautiful. This becomes true when we give our small lives to Jesus and tell Him to help us.
Therefore Jesus said “I am the light of the world” and today on his birthday Jesus is inviting us
to join his light party.

(This playlet could be acted out with soft background music, it could also be integrated with
slides)
- “Light is Born” -

Commentator 1: In the country of darkness the night was endless. The sun had never risen.
Because the people had lived so long in the dark they were gloomy and sad. Worse still, they
were not aware of the gloom. The streets the house, public places were very, very dark.

Commentator 2: One day a little child appeared in that country. That child was holding a light
in his hands and began strolling on their streets.

Commentator 1: Some of the children of the country of darkness looked out of their houses in
amazement. They asked their elders.

*Building a New Humanity Through Universal Values*

 Archdiocesan Value Education
Centre - AVEC
Don Bosco Youth Services – Matunga, MUMBAI 400 019
Chorus 1: Who is Tel: 24154477 E-mail: avecmatunga@gmail.com
this child?
Child 1: What is he carrying in his hand?
Elder 1: He comes from the country of light and he is holding light in his hands.
Elder 2: He wants to make us blind.
Elder 3: Children hurry up, come inside and do not look.

Commentator 1: But the children kept asking questions.

Chorus: We want to join this boy. We want to go to the country of light

Commentator 2: Finally the grown-ups got up and went to bed. Many children of the country of
darkness left their homes and joined this child, the bearer of light. He shared his light with them.
Now there was not one child, but many children walking up and down the country of darkness
with lights in their hands.

Commentator 1: But the people did not want the light.

Commentator 2: The number of children with lights in their hands multiplied. They filled the
streets with lights and with it joy and warmth.

Commentator 1: The elders met to discuss what to do with their children. They told them
sternly.

Elder 1: Put out the lights at once.

Elder 2: It is hurting us.
Elder 3: To keep the light burning goes against the customs of our country.

Commentator 2: So the elders took their children and locked them up in their homes

Commentator 1: The children cried bitterly. They were unwilling to put out their lights, so much
so that the fire within their hearts to keep the flames burning set their own houses on fire. The
elders were consumed. Some of them joined the light wagon. Strange but true, from then on from
all over the country of darkness slowly and progressively the sun the source of all light arose to
herald the dawn.

5. REFLECTION:
Teacher Animator: We are the children of Light and Christ is the light who illumines our lives.
We shall now welcome Him into our midst, for He Himself has said “I am the light of the world,
whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness. Let us silently
reflect on these questions.

*Building a New Humanity Through Universal Values*

 Archdiocesan Value Education
Centre - AVEC
Don Bosco Youth Services – Matunga, MUMBAI 400 019
1. Do I belong to Tel: 24154477
the country E-mail:
of darkness where avecmatunga@gmail.com
there is no love, no peace but only hatred,
jealousy, fighting and war? (If possible slides could be integrated to make reflection meaningful)

2. Do I belong to the light party where each one cares for the other, is kind, loving, helpful and
forgiving?

3. Am I like the elders and grown ups who do not want to light their own lives and also put off
the light in others? (Pause in silence)

Teacher Animator: Yes dear friends, Jesus is the baby who will light up the world. But he
needs us to keep this light always burning and shining bright. How shall we do this?

(4 children with lit candles or lamps will move forward and each one will pray)
1. Lord God, I will let this light shine by being obedient to my parents and elders.
2. Lord, I will do my duties well and study diligently and in doing so your light will shine.
3. Lord, I will make a lonely person happy and I will share my things with those in need.
4. Lord I will forgive those who hurt me and I will not use bad words.

Teacher Animator: Each of us will now in silence say what we will do in order to be God’s
Light bearers. That is the best birthday gift we can give to Jesus this Christmas. Let us felicitate
the Christ Child as we listen to this song.

6. CHRISTMAS CAROL: “Jesus Brother Jesus, Happy Birthday to you….” (Cassette:

Everyday its Christmas) OR any other suitable hymn.

7. CONCLUSION
Teacher Animator: As Jesus the Rising Sun radiates His brightness, chasing the darkness of sin
form this world, we too must be people of light, spreading the message of love and salvation in a
true relationship with God and neighbour. As one more year ebbs away, let us promise never to
let our lights of love fade.

Hymn: Gone are the Shadows (Pray Sing. 158)

Adapted from a Prayer Service prepared by Rev.Sr. Dolores FMA - RAYS Mag. Vol. 26 Nov-Dec. 1991
Contributed by: Amrut Dhara

*Building a New Humanity Through Universal Values*