Christmas Pageant Script

Every year I look high and low for new ideas for Christmas Pageant services or scripts. In the spirit of sharing, I'll post my version from this year. The readings are introduced by a modified version of the Godly Play Advent story. Advent wreath lighting is incorporated into the readings. Youth will be reading, and sharing in special music and dance. Children in homemade or church-borrowed costumes will come forward to take their places when indicated, to build a Nativity tableau that required no rehearsals (except for youth).

2007 Christmas Pageant (Reader’s Copy)

CHIMING OF THE HOUR
WELCOME and Announcements
Musical Call to Worship

Entering the Mystery

During this Advent time of waiting, we prepare, like the people of Israel did, for the arrival of the King. A King is coming, but he is not the kind of king that people thought was coming. This King had no army, no great house, and no riches. This King was a baby who was born in a barn.

The King who was coming is still coming. This is full of mystery. You know, a mystery is hard to enter sometimes. That is why this time of Advent is so important. Sometimes people can walk right through a mystery and not even know it is there. This time of year you will see people hurrying in the malls buying things and doing this and that, but they will miss the Mystery. They don’t know how to get ready or maybe they just forgot.

The Church learned a long time ago that people need a way to get ready to enter or even come close to a mystery like Christmas. The Church set aside four weeks of Advent to get ready. This is such a great Mystery, that it takes that long to get ready. During this time, we are all on our way to Bethlehem. We are all making the journey. We are all getting ready to enter the Mystery of Christmas, so let’s go with the prophets, the Holy Family, the shepherds, the angels, the Magi and all the rest to make the journey that was not just back then. It is also now. Let us enter the Mystery together, as we stand and join in our responsive Call to Worship printed in the bulletin.

CALL TO WORSHIP from Isaiah 40:3-5
Leader: Prepare the way of the Lord!
Congregation: Make a path for our God in the desert.
Leader: Every valley shall be lifted up,
Congregation: Every mountain and hill be made low.
Leader: The uneven ground shall become level.
Congregation: Rough places shall become a plain.
Leader: The glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
Congregation: All people shall see it together.
Leader: This is the promise of the Lord.
Congregation: God’s promise shall be fulfilled.

The Prophets Foretell the Messiah’s Birth Isaiah 9:2-7

Please be seated. (pause) When the prophets spoke to the people of Israel, they were speaking to people who had almost given up hope. There was war, and poverty. The people were no longer free. They felt abandoned and forgotten by God, and everyone else. It was a dark time. But prophets see past the darkness. Prophets are people who come so close to God, and God comes so close to them, that they know what is most important. The prophets knew which way to go. They pointed the way to Bethlehem. They didn’t know exactly what was going to happen there, but they knew this was the place. Stop, they said. Watch. Pay attention. Something incredible is going to happen. We light the first candle for the prophets. (First candle is lit.)

Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah, promising the arrival of the new King, long before he was born:

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9: 2-7

Liturgical Dance – (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel)

The Angel Gabriel Speaks to Mary Luke 1:26-35, 37-38

It’s one thing to believe in God, and to pray to God. It’s quite another thing to have a message from God delivered to you by an angel. We don’t know what Mary was doing that day when the angel Gabriel came to her. Maybe she was sewing. Maybe she was cleaning her room. Or dreaming about her upcoming wedding to Joseph. Or just staring into space. Whatever she was doing, preparing for an angel and for what the angel would tell her, was surely not on the list. Imagine hearing that the Messiah, promised long long ago by the prophets, was going to be born soon….and you would be his mother. Here the life-changing words from Luke.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 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. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 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 will be holy; he will be called Son of God. For nothing will be impossible with God.” 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. Luke 1: 26-35, 37-38

CAROL “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” #151 (first tune)
Mary and the Angel Gabriel may come forward. Youth will guide the way.


Mary and Joseph Find Shelter in Bethlehem Luke 2:1-7

Do you see Bethlehem, and the road? The Holy Family is on the way to Bethlehem and we are going with them. The mother Mary. The father Joseph. And perhaps a donkey for Mary to ride on, when she couldn’t take another step. They are headed to Bethlehem to be counted for the census. Certainly an inconvenient time for them to make such a long journey. Imagine the different feelings they must have experienced that night: weariness from travel, worry over no room in the inn, relief at finding a spot to rest, pain during labor, joy at the birth of the new baby king. We light the second candle for the Holy Family. (Second candle is lit.) Hear the words from Luke.

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 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 for them in the inn. Luke 2: 1-7

CAROL “What Child Is This” #159
Joseph and any animals (except sheep) may come forward.

Angels Share The Good News Luke 2:8-20

The poor shepherds in the fields around Bethlehem were minding their own business, trying to stay awake, when they were blinded by a flash of light, and startled by the sound of singing. They were frightened, until they heard the words of the song. The angels were singing, “Don’t be afraid.” Angels often say that, because it is scary to have a messenger of God come to you.

The song of the angels went something like this: “Don’t be afraid. We bring you tidings of great joy. Peace on earth and good will to everyone. A Child is born. Go. Hurry. Run to Bethlehem to see the Child who will change everything.”

The candle of the shepherds is the color of roses. This is to remind us of the great joy the angels sang of. It also helps us remember that even if it is very serious to get ready to come close to a great mystery like Christmas, you can’t be serious all of the time as you get ready. Sometimes you have to celebrate! We light the third candle for the shepherds.
(Third candle is lit.) Hear the words from Luke.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2: 8-20

Musical Offering (Angels We Have Heard on High) Youth Ensemble
Shepherds, sheep, and angels may come forward.

The Magi Follow the Star Matthew 2:1-11

We call them different names: the three kings, the Magi, the wise men. They came from far in the East, and they were so wise that people thought they were magic. In fact, we get our word, “magic” from the name they were called in their own language, “the Magi.”

Of all the things they knew, they knew the most about the stars. They knew where each star was supposed to be at each time of the year, so they could tell people when it was time to plant their crops, or take a trip on the ocean in a boat, or cross the high mountain passes when the snow wasn’t too deep.

When they saw the wild star, not on any of their star maps, they took notice, and remembered ancient prophecies about the birth of a new king. They followed the star all the way to Bethlehem, but they came from so far away that they got there after the baby was born. They are always late, it seems. Every year they are late. They usually don’t arrive until January 6th, when we celebrate Epiphany. We remember them today anyway, because, like us, they too are on the way to Bethlehem to see the Christ child, the mystery of Christmas. We light the fourth candle for the Magi. (Fourth candle is lit.) Hear the words from Matthew.

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 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. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. Matthew 2: 1-11

CAROL “We Three Kings” #176
The Magi and any other children who wish to may come forward.

A Time for Children
Musical Offering Youth Ensemble
THE GIFT OF STEWARDSHIP
Children’s Carol “Away in a Manger”
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication
CAROL “Silent Night! Holy Night” #154
(children sing first verse, congregation joins in for second and third)

Changing the Light

There is one candle we haven’t lit yet. The Christ candle. We will light it tomorrow, on Christmas Eve when we proclaim the arrival of the Light of the World. From that one candle, we will all share the light until the whole church is filled with light, shining in the darkness, just as the prophets promised. The candles are beautiful, but as we leave this place of worship, we must change the light. (Candles are extinguished, one by one.) As the light is changed, it spreads out to fill up the room. As it spreads out, it gets thinner and thinner until you can’t see it. But you know the Christmas light is still there. It is filling up the room with the prophets, the Holy Family, the shepherds, and the three kings. Anywhere you go, you can come close to them. We’ve journeyed to Bethlehem with them. We have seen the child, the Messiah, God with us. We have entered the mystery of Christmas, and worshiped at the manger. But our story isn’t done! The mystery continues. Now we must take the good news with us, to tell others. To remind those who are so busy getting ready for the gift-giving, that they miss the mystery of the true gift.

Our Children’s Worship kids will share with us the benediction. It is the message of the angels, and the message each of us must take into the world.

BENEDICTION Children’s Worship Kids
Sign Language: “I am bringing you Good News of great joy for all people.” (3 times)
Thanks be to God. Amen!

Postlude “Joy to the World”