Monday, December 9, 2013

Children's Sermon giving them each a large Jesus stocking to hang

The Empty Stocking is from the movie "The Bishop's Wife" which is an old black and white classic movie. Within the movie is a sermon written by the Angel Dudley for the Bishop to preach on Christmas Eve.  It is one of my favorite movies and sermons.

Tonight I want to tell you the story of the empty stocking.
Once upon a time on a midnight clear there was a Child's cry,
a blazing star hung over a stable and
wise men came with birthday gifts.
We haven't forgotten that night down through the centuries,
We celebrate it with stars hung on the Christmas tree
and the cry of bells and with gifts.
Especially with gifts.
We buy them and wrap them and put them under the tree.
You give me a tie; I give you a book,
Cousin Mary always wanted an orange squeezer
and Uncle Harry could use a new pipe.
Oh we forget no one, adult or child.
All the stockings are full - all this is, but one.
We have even forgotten to hang it up. 
A stocking for the Christ child born in the manger.
It's his birthday we are celebrating - let's not forget that,
Let us ask ourselves what He would with for most,
then let each of us put in our share:
Loving kindness, Warm hearts, a Forgiving Spirit,
a Generous Life - all the shining gifts which make up
God's Peace on Earth.

Then I ask the children to take their Jesus stocking home and hang it with the other.
I ask them to put something in it to represent their gift this year to Jesus. Maybe a heart
or a picture of themselves. Something they want to give baby Jesus.

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