To get set up to celebrate, you will need to make a candle tray out of tinfoil. The tray needs to hold 7 small pillar candles. You will also need 7 small pillar candles. The other items you will need are; children, a Bible, cookies and milk or hot chocolate.
Starting on the 7th night before Christmas gather together at the dining room table. Begin with a prayer, then read John (the gospel, not the letters) John 2:1-2:11. This covers Christ's first miracle - He changed water into wine. Light the first candle and discuss this miracle. It represents Christ's work on the earth. It is the new covenant. Then sing a Christmas carol.
On the 6th night, pray, read John 4:43-54. Christ healed the official's son. Light the 2nd candle and discuss this miracle. It represents Grace. You must be born again. Sing a second carol.
On the 5th night, pray, read John 5:1-9. Christ healed the crippled man at the pool of water. This represent the living water, by Grace are you saved, not of works. Light the 3rd candle and discuss this miracle. Sing a carol.
On the 4th night, pray, read John 6:1-5. Christ fed the crowd with 5 loaves and 2 small fish. The Messiah is the supernatural source of provision. Just as God provided manna in the wilderness Christ is the bread of life. Light 4th candle. (so now you have 4 candles burning). Discuss miracle. Sing a carol.
On the 3rd night, pray, read John 6:6-25. Christ walks on water. Through Faith are you saved. Light 5th candle, discuss miracle. Sing carol
On 2nd night, pray read John 9:4-41. Christ heals a blind man. This is about spiritual discernment. The Holy Spirit. Light the 6th candle, discuss miracle. Sing carol.
On the night before Christmas, pray, read John 11:1-44. Christ brings his friend Lazarus back to life. This brings into light the resurrection of the Lord. Light the 7th candle, discuss miracle, sing carol.
In this way Jill and her family enjoy the celebration of the birth of Christ while remembering what He came to do for us. It is the purpose of His coming that we, as a body of believers, celebrate. Merry Christmas!
If you are interested in a more in depth study of the seven miracles in John's gospel you might want to visit http://www.gracethrufaith.com/selah/spiritual-life/the-seven-miracles-in-john Jack Kelley is a Bible Expert and does a fantastic job of explaining the miracles.
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