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A slow Christmas Eve: an evening order for families

· 2 min read

Christmas Eve has a way of filling up with last-minute wrapping and one more trip to the shops. A few years ago we decided to keep the evening for something gentler, and it has become the part of Christmas our family looks forward to most.

Here is how we do it. Borrow any part of it, or all of it.

Supper by candlelight

Keep the meal simple, something that can sit in the oven while you set the table. Turn off the big lights, light every candle you have, and leave phones in another room.

Nine short readings

After supper, we read the Christmas story in nine short parts, passing the Bible around the table so everyone who can read takes a turn:

  1. Genesis 3:8–15, the promise in the garden
  2. Genesis 22:15–18, the promise to Abraham
  3. Isaiah 9:2, 6–7, a child is born
  4. Isaiah 11:1–9, the peaceful kingdom
  5. Luke 1:26–38, the angel visits Mary
  6. Luke 2:1–7, the birth of Jesus
  7. Luke 2:8–16, the shepherds
  8. Matthew 2:1–12, the wise men
  9. John 1:1–14, the Word became flesh

A carol between each

Sing one carol after each reading. Old favourites work best because everyone knows the words: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Once in Royal David’s City, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Come, All Ye Faithful, and Silent Night to finish, with only the candles lit.

A walk to see the stars

If the weather allows, wrap up warm and go outside for ten minutes. Look for the brightest star you can find and remember the one that led the wise men to Jesus.

Our printable booklet, Christmas Eve at Home, has all nine readings written out, a carol list and space to write down a memory from each year.