Christmas Pageant Script 2010 A Tree of Life Co-created by Mary Haro, Liz Jobst, and Jenifer Miller

Transcription

1 Christmas Pageant Script 2010 A Tree of Life Co-created by Mary Haro, Liz Jobst, and Jenifer Miller Ryan - Look around, what do you see? James - Christmas decorations everywhere! Ryan But where s the baby Jesus? Where is the manger? Should that be in our living room instead of a tree? James Not necessarily. Come sit down and listen to the stories and join in on the singing. Today we are going to tell you a story about how the Christmas tree came to be. James (Begins with the story of the Christmas tree:) "Legend has it that many years ago in Germany Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. One night Martin was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth. In doing so, he connected the Christmas tree to the symbol of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. All children place Christmas tree ornaments on the tree and then the children and congregation sing Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, Your boughs, so green in summer time, Do brave the snow of wintertime. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Marie (Continues with the story of the Christmas tree lights:) "Christmas lights are often the first sign that the Christmas season is upon us. Light represents truth to us because as we experience the reality of God s presence, hope and understanding awaken within us and our light glows brighter. A lighted candle, an old fashioned Christmas tree light, were there to remind us that Jesus was called the 'Light of the World.' "

2 All children place light ornaments on the tree and then the children and congregation sing Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella Bring a torch, come swiftly and run Christ is born, Tell the folk of the village Jesus is sleeping in His cradle Ah, ah, beautiful is the Mother Ah, ah, beautiful is her Son Josiah (Continues with the story of the Angel:) "In church school we learned of a shepherd named Timothy who saw angels in the night sky and heard them singing to announce the birth of the Jesus in the city of David. Timothy went with his friend Simon to see Jesus in the city of Bethlehem. There he found Jesus in a manger lying among the animals he loved. And he heard the shouts of praises from the angels all around exclaiming that on this night, in this small place, the world would be forever changed by the birth of a child." All children place angel ornaments on the tree and then the children and congregation sing Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King! Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled. Joyful, all ye nations, rise; Join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King! Isabel (Continues with the story of the Star:) "Just as the shepherds went to see Jesus, so did many others who gathered from far and wide. The three kings followed a bright and shining star to guide their way across the desert and the hills to find the place where Jesus lay."

3 All children place star crafts around the tree and then the children and congregation sing Do You See What I See? Said the night wind to the little lamb, Do you see what I see? Way up in the sky, little lamb, Do you see what I see? A star, a star, Dancing in the night, With a tail as big as a kite, With a tail as big as a kite. Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy, Do you hear what I hear? Ringing thru the sky, Shepherd boy, Do you hear what I hear? A song, a song, High above the tree, with a voice as big as the sea, With a voice as big as the sea. Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, Do you know what I know? In your palace warm, mighty king, Do you know what I know? A Child, a Child shivers in the cold; Let us bring Him silver and gold, Let us bring Him silver and gold. Let us all say to people everywhere, Listen to what we say! Pray for peace, people everywhere, Listen to what I say! The Child; The Child, sleeping in the night; He will bring us goodness and light, He will bring us goodness and light. Jared (Continues with the story of the Gifts:) "On Jesus' birthday we give each other presents because it reminds us of the gifts the kings brought to Jesus. They carried their best treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold was a precious metal associated with the power of the kings. Frankincense is a resin from a sacred tree that they used as incense. And myrrh was a resin from a shrub used to make perfume. Jesus also taught us that the way to show our love for Him is to love one another. So on Christmas we share gifts, as the kings did, but we share them with others in Jesus' name.

4 All children place gift ornaments on the tree and then the children and congregation sing We Three Kings of Orient Are We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar. Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star. O, Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to Thy perfect Light. Narayah (Continues with the story of the Bell:) "On Christmas Day the bells rang out the message of a manger filled with hay where God's Son, Baby Jesus, was born. Today church bells continue to ring out on Christmas to remind us of Jesus birth." All children place bell ornaments on the tree and then the children and congregation sing Joy To The World Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and heaven and nature sing James So now do you get it? Christmas trees, Christmas lights, Christmas ornaments are just more ways that we celebrate the birth of Jesus and retell the Christmas story during the holidays. Ryan I get it now! But I d still like to have a manger at church. Animals are one of my favorite parts about Christmas. Well, animals and presents. James I can t promise any present bigger than the gift of love. But if you come back to church next week, I heard from Pastor Arlene that baby Jesus will arrive with real sheep in tow. Ryan Cool! Merry Christmas, and see you soon. The End

5 Children exit down the center aisle and are seated with their families as the congregation sings the second verse of Joy To The World. Joy To The World Joy to the world, the Savior reigns, Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.