Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church
8th December 2024
Human Cast:
· Narrator 1
· Narrator 2
· Reader/Prayer
Knitted Cast:
· Mary
· Joseph
· Baby Jesus in the manger
· Two Shepherds
· Two Sheep
· Three Wise Men
Narrator 1:
Welcome, everyone, to our Knitivity!
This morning, we’ll unravel the story of Christmas stitch by
stitch.
You’ll help bring it to life as we meet our delightful cast
of knitted characters.
As we follow the threads of the story, we’ll hear the words
of Scripture and watch as this woolly wonder comes together. Let’s start with
the Gospel of Luke, which introduces two key figures: Mary and Joseph.
Reading: Luke 1:26–35, 38
(The Annunciation: Gabriel appears to Mary)
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month the angel
Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to
a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The
virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and
said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But
she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this
might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be
afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And
now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him
Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the
Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his
ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of
Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary
said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The
angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the
Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[c] will be holy; he will
be called Son of God.
38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the
servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel
departed from her.
Here we have Mary, a young woman chosen by God to carry an extraordinary gift.
(Encourage the person with Mary to bring her to the front.)
Narrator 1:
And Joseph, a carpenter from Nazareth, was soon to be her husband. When he heard the news, he felt a little… tied up in knots. But an angel appeared to him too, and he knew he had to stay by Mary’s side.
(Encourage the person with Joseph to bring him to join Mary.)
Narrator 2:
Together, they travelled to Bethlehem, threading their way through the crowds, weaving their way towards an inn where the innkeeper let them snuggle down with the animals in the table. The city was bursting at the seams! And when they arrived, they discovered…
Reading: Luke 2:6–7
(Mary gives birth to Jesus and lays him in a manger.)
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.
(Mary gives birth to Jesus and lays him in a manger.)
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.
Narrator 1:
And here he is—Baby Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
(Invite the Baby Jesus figure and the manger to be placed at the front.)
Narrator 2:
This humble manger reminds us that sometimes, the greatest treasures come in the simplest of packages.
And so, the scene begins to take shape: Mary, Joseph, and Jesus—the first stitches of the Christmas story.
(Pause briefly to allow reflection.)
And here he is—Baby Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
(Invite the Baby Jesus figure and the manger to be placed at the front.)
Narrator 2:
This humble manger reminds us that sometimes, the greatest treasures come in the simplest of packages.
And so, the scene begins to take shape: Mary, Joseph, and Jesus—the first stitches of the Christmas story.
(Pause briefly to allow reflection.)
Reading: Luke 2:8–14
(The shepherds hear the angels proclaiming the good news.)
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!”
Narrator 1:
Now, let’s add some shepherds to our Knitivity.
(Invite the two shepherds to brought forward.)
Narrator 2:
They were out in the fields, minding their own sheepy business, when suddenly, the sky lit up! Angels appeared, singing a song that was woolly wonderful: "Glory to God in the highest!"
(Encourage the congregation to imagine the scene, perhaps with a soft "baa" or two from the audience.)
Narrator 1:
The shepherds quickly rounded up their flocks, including these two lovely sheep.
(The sheep figures are brought forward to join the shepherds.)
Narrator 2:
And off they went, faster than you can say “woolly jumpers,” to see this miraculous child.
Reading: Matthew 2:1–2, 9–11
(The wise men follow the star and offer gifts.)
The Visit of the Magi
2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east[ and have come to pay him homage.”
9 When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east,[a] until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped,[b] they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Now, let’s add some shepherds to our Knitivity.
(Invite the two shepherds to brought forward.)
Narrator 2:
They were out in the fields, minding their own sheepy business, when suddenly, the sky lit up! Angels appeared, singing a song that was woolly wonderful: "Glory to God in the highest!"
(Encourage the congregation to imagine the scene, perhaps with a soft "baa" or two from the audience.)
Narrator 1:
The shepherds quickly rounded up their flocks, including these two lovely sheep.
(The sheep figures are brought forward to join the shepherds.)
Narrator 2:
And off they went, faster than you can say “woolly jumpers,” to see this miraculous child.
Reading: Matthew 2:1–2, 9–11
(The wise men follow the star and offer gifts.)
The Visit of the Magi
2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east[ and have come to pay him homage.”
9 When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east,[a] until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped,[b] they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Narrator 1:
Meanwhile, far to the east, three wise men—or perhaps we should call them knit-wits—had seen a bright star in the sky.
(Encourage the three wise men to be brought forward.)
Narrator 2:
They followed the star, traveling for miles and miles. Surely they must have felt a bit unravelled along the way! But they pressed on, bringing gifts to honour the newborn King: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Narrator 1:
And so, they arrived at the stable, completing our nativity scene. Let’s take a moment to admire the tapestry of this story, carefully woven together by God’s love.
(Pause to let the entire scene come together: Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus in the manger, the shepherds, the sheep, and the wise men.)
Narrator 2:
This Knitivity reminds us that the Christmas story is one of humble beginnings, of ordinary people called into extraordinary roles, and of God’s love knit into the fabric of our lives.
Narrator 1:
Just as each stitch in our knitted figures was crafted with care, so too are we made by God, each of us part of a beautiful pattern of love and hope.
Just like knitting, God’s love takes patience, care, and a willingness to bring together all the strands of life.
Narrator 2:
May this story stay with us, a thread that ties us to each other and to the miracle of Christmas; and may your Christmas be as warm and cozy as a hand-knitted blanket.
Let us close in prayer.
Meanwhile, far to the east, three wise men—or perhaps we should call them knit-wits—had seen a bright star in the sky.
(Encourage the three wise men to be brought forward.)
Narrator 2:
They followed the star, traveling for miles and miles. Surely they must have felt a bit unravelled along the way! But they pressed on, bringing gifts to honour the newborn King: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Narrator 1:
And so, they arrived at the stable, completing our nativity scene. Let’s take a moment to admire the tapestry of this story, carefully woven together by God’s love.
(Pause to let the entire scene come together: Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus in the manger, the shepherds, the sheep, and the wise men.)
Narrator 2:
This Knitivity reminds us that the Christmas story is one of humble beginnings, of ordinary people called into extraordinary roles, and of God’s love knit into the fabric of our lives.
Narrator 1:
Just as each stitch in our knitted figures was crafted with care, so too are we made by God, each of us part of a beautiful pattern of love and hope.
Just like knitting, God’s love takes patience, care, and a willingness to bring together all the strands of life.
Narrator 2:
May this story stay with us, a thread that ties us to each other and to the miracle of Christmas; and may your Christmas be as warm and cozy as a hand-knitted blanket.
Let us close in prayer.
Closing Prayer:
Loving God,
We thank you for the gift of this day,
for the story of Christmas,
and for your Son, Jesus,
who came into our world,
wrapped in love like a blanket of wool.
Help us to remember that,
just as each stitch in our knitted figures was made with care,
so too are we made by your hands,
each of us a part of your perfect design.
May we carry the warmth of your love with us,
weaving peace, joy, and kindness into every day,
as we follow the light of Christ,
our Savior, and Shepherd.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
Hymn
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
the stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
Be near us, Lord Jesus, in a world full of pain,
Where hatred and sorrow so often remain.
Teach us to bring kindness, to care for the least,
And knit us together in love’s holy feast.
The earth groans in sorrow, yet your light still shines,
Through humble beginnings, your justice aligns.
Empower your people to bring hope anew,
And weave us as threads in the work you will do.
v.1 John T McFarland (1851-1913) #157
Reflection: Holy Love in a Troubled World
As we look at our completed Knitivity, it’s tempting to imagine that the Christmas story is a soft and sentimental tale, full of warm stables, twinkling stars, and joyful shepherds.
But the world into which Jesus was born was anything but peaceful or idyllic. It was a world of violence, oppression, and uncertainty.
Mary and Joseph lived under Roman rule, where the wealthy and powerful exploited the poor and vulnerable.
The trip to Bethlehem wasn’t a romantic journey—it was a forced migration, imposed by an occupying empire for the purposes of taxation.
Jesus was born in a stable not because of its charm, but because there was no place for him elsewhere.
From his very first moments, his life reflected the marginalisation and vulnerability of so many in our world today.
And yet, into that world—so broken, so divided—God came.
Not in power or privilege, but as a fragile baby, vulnerable to hunger, cold, and violence.
God came into the mess of human existence not to escape it, but to redeem it from within.
Facing Our World Today
Today, we still live in a world marked by violence, selfishness, and environmental crisis.
Wars displace families, just as they displaced Mary and Joseph.
Greed drives inequality, hoarding resources while others go without.
Our planet groans under the weight of our misuse, with ecosystems unravelling like a threadbare garment.
And yet, the story of Christmas reminds us that hope is not absent, even here.
Just as Jesus was born into a world of chaos and pain, so too can new hope and new life emerge in our time.
But hope doesn’t come passively. Mary and Joseph responded to God’s call with courage.
The shepherds left their flocks to witness the good news.
The wise men travelled far, offering gifts in humility.
Christmas is not just about receiving the gift of God’s love; it’s about participating in it—becoming agents of hope, justice, and change in the world.
What Does This Mean for Us?
As we face the challenges of our time, the Knitivity offers us some powerful themes to hold onto:
1. Vulnerability is Strength:
Loving God,
We thank you for the gift of this day,
for the story of Christmas,
and for your Son, Jesus,
who came into our world,
wrapped in love like a blanket of wool.
Help us to remember that,
just as each stitch in our knitted figures was made with care,
so too are we made by your hands,
each of us a part of your perfect design.
May we carry the warmth of your love with us,
weaving peace, joy, and kindness into every day,
as we follow the light of Christ,
our Savior, and Shepherd.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
Hymn
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
the stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
Be near us, Lord Jesus, in a world full of pain,
Where hatred and sorrow so often remain.
Teach us to bring kindness, to care for the least,
And knit us together in love’s holy feast.
The earth groans in sorrow, yet your light still shines,
Through humble beginnings, your justice aligns.
Empower your people to bring hope anew,
And weave us as threads in the work you will do.
v.1 John T McFarland (1851-1913) #157
Reflection: Holy Love in a Troubled World
As we look at our completed Knitivity, it’s tempting to imagine that the Christmas story is a soft and sentimental tale, full of warm stables, twinkling stars, and joyful shepherds.
But the world into which Jesus was born was anything but peaceful or idyllic. It was a world of violence, oppression, and uncertainty.
Mary and Joseph lived under Roman rule, where the wealthy and powerful exploited the poor and vulnerable.
The trip to Bethlehem wasn’t a romantic journey—it was a forced migration, imposed by an occupying empire for the purposes of taxation.
Jesus was born in a stable not because of its charm, but because there was no place for him elsewhere.
From his very first moments, his life reflected the marginalisation and vulnerability of so many in our world today.
And yet, into that world—so broken, so divided—God came.
Not in power or privilege, but as a fragile baby, vulnerable to hunger, cold, and violence.
God came into the mess of human existence not to escape it, but to redeem it from within.
Facing Our World Today
Today, we still live in a world marked by violence, selfishness, and environmental crisis.
Wars displace families, just as they displaced Mary and Joseph.
Greed drives inequality, hoarding resources while others go without.
Our planet groans under the weight of our misuse, with ecosystems unravelling like a threadbare garment.
And yet, the story of Christmas reminds us that hope is not absent, even here.
Just as Jesus was born into a world of chaos and pain, so too can new hope and new life emerge in our time.
But hope doesn’t come passively. Mary and Joseph responded to God’s call with courage.
The shepherds left their flocks to witness the good news.
The wise men travelled far, offering gifts in humility.
Christmas is not just about receiving the gift of God’s love; it’s about participating in it—becoming agents of hope, justice, and change in the world.
What Does This Mean for Us?
As we face the challenges of our time, the Knitivity offers us some powerful themes to hold onto:
1. Vulnerability is Strength:
Just as God chose to come into the world in the vulnerability
of a child, we are called to embrace the strength found in humility and
compassion.
Real change begins when we are willing to confront the pain and brokenness around us.
2. Community is Essential:
Real change begins when we are willing to confront the pain and brokenness around us.
2. Community is Essential:
The Christmas story isn’t just about individuals—it’s about
people coming together.
Mary and Joseph, shepherds and wise men, all gathered around Jesus.
In a world of division, we must weave stronger communities, caring for one another and working together for justice.
3. Creation Matters:
Mary and Joseph, shepherds and wise men, all gathered around Jesus.
In a world of division, we must weave stronger communities, caring for one another and working together for justice.
3. Creation Matters:
Jesus was laid in a manger—a feeding trough for animals—and his
first visitors were shepherds.
This story reminds us that God’s care extends to all creation.
As we face a climate crisis, we are called to protect and nurture the earth, honouring it as God’s gift.
4. There is Always Hope:
This story reminds us that God’s care extends to all creation.
As we face a climate crisis, we are called to protect and nurture the earth, honouring it as God’s gift.
4. There is Always Hope:
The star the wise men followed still shines, calling us to
believe that even in the darkest times, light will break through.
But like the wise men, we must act.
Hope is not passive—it calls us to live differently, to challenge systems of greed and violence, and to bring God’s peace to a world that desperately needs it.
Conclusion
The Christmas story is not escapism—it’s resistance.
It’s a declaration that even in a world of darkness, God’s light cannot be extinguished.
It’s an invitation to join God’s work of restoration, to be threads of hope woven into the fabric of a broken world.
So as we leave our service this morning, let’s carry the lessons of the Knitivity with us.
Let’s remember the vulnerability of Jesus, the courage of Mary and Joseph,
the faith of the shepherds, and the persistence of the wise men.
And let’s commit ourselves to be people of hope
—living, loving, and working for a world
where peace, justice, and joy reign,
just as they did that holy night in Bethlehem.
Amen.
But like the wise men, we must act.
Hope is not passive—it calls us to live differently, to challenge systems of greed and violence, and to bring God’s peace to a world that desperately needs it.
Conclusion
The Christmas story is not escapism—it’s resistance.
It’s a declaration that even in a world of darkness, God’s light cannot be extinguished.
It’s an invitation to join God’s work of restoration, to be threads of hope woven into the fabric of a broken world.
So as we leave our service this morning, let’s carry the lessons of the Knitivity with us.
Let’s remember the vulnerability of Jesus, the courage of Mary and Joseph,
the faith of the shepherds, and the persistence of the wise men.
And let’s commit ourselves to be people of hope
—living, loving, and working for a world
where peace, justice, and joy reign,
just as they did that holy night in Bethlehem.
Amen.
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