Why do we eat CHRISTMAS CAKE?

These rich fruit cakes were a sensible celebratory food as they didn't spoil quickly, and could therefore be made in advance to have in ready for guests whenever they arrived, or could be taken on a journey to give as a gift, in days when travelling was a slow process. The fruitcake as we know it today evolved from plum cake recipes in England.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Monday 5th January - Friday 9th January:

Week of prayer, seeking the Lord's guidance for 2009. Times to be advised.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Each child is helped to take an orange (representing the World) and insert four cocktail sticks into it (representing the four seasons). Fruit, nuts and sweets can then be attached to the cocktail sticks to represent the fruits of the Earth. A red ribbon is then tied around the centre of the orange as a reminder that Christ died for us all. Finally, a small lighted candle is placed on top to symbolise Jesus Christ, Light of the World.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Saturday 3rd January:

Michael & Kathy House invite everyone from church to join them in their home for a New Year's coffee morning between 10.30am and 12 noon.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

What is CHRISTINGLE?

The first Christingle service was held in Marienborn in Moravia in 1747, when the pastor, John de Wattville, wanting to find a new way of telling the Christmas story to children, gave each child a lighted candle tied with a red ribbon. He asked them to relight them at home and place them in their windows to show the Light of Christ to passers by. The tradition was kept alive by the Moravian church and in the United Kingdom was adopted by the Children's Society in the 1950s as a way of raising awareness of their work. Many churches and schools now hold Christingle services any time from Advent to the end of the Epiphany season.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Saturday 3rd January:

Michael & Kathy House invite everyone from church to join them in their home for a New Year's coffee morning between 10.30am and 12 noon.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

By the late medieval period the singing of Christmas carols had become a tradition. St Francis of Assisi (around 1220AD) promoted the use of carols to spread the Christmas message by translating songs sung in Latin into languages spoken by ordinary people in Europe for use in formal church services.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Thursday 25th December:

Short Christmas Day Service in church starting at 10am

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Why do we sing CAROLS at Christmas?

Singing to and about their gods was part of all pagan festivals, including the winter ones. When Christmas was established on the 25th December in the fourth century, the church initially tried to stop people singing these pagan songs, but then changed track, and decided to encourage the singing of Christian Christmas themed songs in their place.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Saturday 3rd January:

Michael & Kathy House invite everyone from church to join them in their home for a New Year's coffee morning between 10.30am and 12 noon.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Why are CANDLES a Christmas symbol?

Because Jesus is the "light of the world"! In the pre-Christian mid-winter festivals sun gods were worshipped, and the candles were a symbol of the needed light of the sun.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Thursday 25th December:

Short Christmas Day Service in church starting at 10am

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

What is BOXING DAY?

In medieval times, the day after Christmas churches used to distribute the money that had been collected in the "almsbox" (charity box) to the poor and needy. This evolved into the tradition of giving tradesmen a "box", meaning a gift or money, on the first day of the week after Christmas.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Happy: Decorate your door with holly
Fa la la la la, la la la la

Mopy: Dad as Santa looks a wally
Fa la la la la, la la la la

Happy: Have a fun time, free from school work
Fa la la, la la la, la la la

Mopy: Try not to drive your parents berserk
Fa la la la la, la la la la


Happy: If you have one, light a fire
Fa la la la la, la la la la

Mopy: If your chimney’s blocked, it’s dire
Fa la la la la, la la la la

Happy: Start the dancing at the party
Fa la la, la la la, la la la

Mopy: Do things with glitter if you’re arty
Fa la la la la, la la la la


Happy: Christmas holidays go quickly
Fa la la la la, la la la la

Mopy: Too much food and you’ll feel sickly
Fa la la la la, la la la la

Happy: Sing the carols, learn the story
Fa la la, la la la, la la la

Mopy: Of how Jesus shows God’s glory
Fa la la la la, la la la la

Happy: Decorate your door with holly
Fa la la la la, la la la la



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Shepherds leave by door at back of stage. A group of people are to sing “Silent Night”. While this is going on kids need to sneak onto stage quietly and set up nativity scene behind screens. When they are sorted, need stage hands to move screens away. Shepherds re-enter church by side door and go back up the steps on to the stage when “Silent Night” finishes.

Shepherd 1: Look! Here he is, just as the angel said!

Shepherds fall on their knees again to worship at manger.

Shepherd 1: Thank you Lord for sending our Messiah, thank you Lord for sharing him with us, thank you Lord, thank you!

Shepherd 2: [jumping up] We can’t keep this to ourselves, we should tell everyone!

Shepherd 1 is nodding in enthusiastic agreement. Shepherd 1 goes down stairs on the left,
Shepherd 2 goes down stairs on the right, go down either aisle saying - in an excited manner- the following directly to individuals seated there:

Shepherd 1: Christ the Lord is born!

Shepherd 2: An angel came to us and said we would find baby Christ in a manger in Bethlehem and we did!

Shepherd 1: Good news for everyone! The Messiah is born! He is here with us now!

Shepherd 2: The Messiah is here!

Then Shepherds rush back up aisles and exit by the side door, saying on their way out:

Shepherd 1: Praise God!

Shepherd 2: Thank you Lord!

Shepherd 1: Thank you God!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Angel appears above middle screen as spot light is turned on, shepherds fall to their knees, turning away and covering their faces in fear

Shepherds: Aaah!!!

Angel: Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Yes! All people, even you. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord!

Shepherd 1: [putting hand up cautiously] Um, excuse me your bright shineyness…Are you sure you’ve got the right address? It’s just that we’re um…we’re just shepherds – [pointing to Shepherd 2] he’s not even a very good shepherd! It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve been delivered someone else’s message by mistake…

Angel: [checking note in hand] To the shepherds watching their flock by night, first hill east of Bethlehem…that’s you isn’t it?

Shepherd 2: Er, yes…

Angel: There you go then! [regaining composure] God has chosen you to be among the first to see the new born king. Go see him for yourselves. He’s your Saviour. And this will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger

Sudden burst of choral music representing host of angels: “Glory to God in the highest! And peace on earth, Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest! And peace on earth, Good will towards men, towards men, goodwill towards men, Glory to God, Glory to God in the highest!” etc etc (from Chorus 17, Handel’s Messiah).

Spot light turned off, angel disappears. Shepherd1 jumps up, looks at Shepherd 2 still on his knees in a dazed state

Shepherd 1: Come on! Let’s get to Bethlehem and see for ourselves this amazing thing the Lord has let us in on!


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Shepherds Go To Bethlehem

(Luke 2:8-20)

Two or three screens will have to be moved centre stage, with a step ladder hidden behind for the angel to go up! (and later, the kids can set up their nativity scene behind the screens too). Two shepherds on stage one on the left, one on the right, facing half in to talk to each other and half to the congregation. Shepherd 2 miming doing a head count, pointing to each sheep in turn

Shepherd 2: 83, 84, 85…

Shepherd 1: Finished the head count?

Shepherd 2: How can I count them properly if they won’t stand still?!

Shepherd 1: Call yourself a professional! Get organised!

Shepherd 2: Is that number 86 or 87? They all look the same to me!

Shepherd 1: “Ample experience of shepherding” you said on your application…

Shepherd 2: Will you stop milling about! I don’t know what’s the matter with this lot tonight, they’re so restless

Shepherd 1: Let me do it! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5….

Angel appears above middle screen as spot light is turned on, shepherds fall to their knees, turning away and covering their faces in fear

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Sunday 21st December:

Carols by Candlelight in church starting at 5pm, followed by coffee/tea and mince pies.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

What does the ADVENT WREATH represent?

The circle of the wreath reminds Chrisitans of God, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that Chrisitans have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolise the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son, Jesus

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Sunday 21st December:

Carols by Candlelight in church starting at 5pm, followed by coffee/tea and mince pies.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Where do our Christmas traditions come from?

Why do we have ADVENT CALENDARS?

They were designed to help children focus on the coming of Jesus by having a "window" to open each day from December 1st to December 24th with a picture behind it of something related to the nativity. "Jesse Trees" were used in this way too - see Christmas Decorations and Christmas Tress. But modern day Advent Calendars are often a countdown to Christmas devoid of anything to do with Jesus, and instead have pictures of cartoon charaters and contain chocolates.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Thursday 25th December:

Short Christmas Day Service in church starting at 10am

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

REALLY, REALLY interested in the origins and history of Christmas?? Click on the links for a in-depth explanation of How It All Started or Some of the up's and down's of Christmas since Pope Julius 1st!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Saturday 3rd January:

Michael & Kathy House invite everyone from church to join them in their home for a New Year's coffee morning between 10.30am and 12 noon.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Why do some Christians NOT celebrate Christmas?

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Sunday 21st December:

Carols by Candlelight in church starting at 5pm, followed by coffee/tea and mince pies.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

What do people make of Christmas today?

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Where do our Christmas traditions come from?

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Tuesday 16th December:

Starting at 7pm, joint Care Group Christmas Party in church. Invite friends or family or anyone you can think of who would benefit from a Christmas Party. Each group will be doing a performance of some description! Please bring a plate of food or drink to share

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

The nativity play was invented to teach people about the birth of Jesus in an entertaining and easy to understand way and really helped with the Christianisation of the 25th December. Displacing the winter songs that were traditionally sung in public with carols telling stories with Christian Christmas themes was also effective in spreading the message of Jesus, especially after Francis of Assissi had some translated out of Latin into languages spoken by the average person!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.