1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was

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1 THE CHRISTMAS STORY Introduction by J2A member: Welcome to our Christmas Eve Pageant. We would like to invite all kids who would like a front row seat to watch the pageant to come forward now- we have reserved pews for you. The entire pageant is included in your bulletin this evening- while we will be performing for you, we ask for your help in singing the Christmas Carols. Thank you! [Wait until all kids are seated and the is in place. Lower the church lights- one bright light on the stone wall. Viola starts, and begins.] 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life,and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness has not overcome [a] it. [ When the last note of the viola plays, have spotlight grow on and the Angel ] The angel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a young woman who was engaged to a man by the name of. The woman s name was. The angel came to her. Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. [ should look alarmed- scared] : Do not be afraid,, 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. 1

2 How can this be, since I am not yet married? 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. Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. 1 Then the angel departed from her. [Exit. Light center on. and move to their spots while is talking.] My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me. [Light on goes out. Slow light on sleeping.] 2: When was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit her husband, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. 2

3 , son of David, do not be afraid to take as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. [ rises from his bed and walks to. The light shines on them both] Let it be according to your word. [Spotlight Sign Kid: SING. Spotlight piano. ] Carol: O come, o come Emmanuel #56 vs. 1 [ and move s chair to center; pick up bedding and arrange in front of chair as rug. Stand together in center.] [Spotlight Sign Kid: Several Months Later. Kid exits. Spotlight comes up on and.] I have heard that there is a decree from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be counted. We must go now to Bethlehem, for my family is of the house of David, where we will register for the census. But I am with child, and Bethlehem is so far away. How will we manage? [leading the donkey out to the center of the stage] We have a donkey to carry our things and if you tire, you can ride on him. We can travel slowly, and I will help you. [agreeing and taking the donkey s lead from ] We will all go together. [Sign Kid: SING This time the spotlight follows and traveling up the aisle.] 3

4 Carol: O Little Town of Bethlehem # 78 vs. 1 [, and the Donkey travel up the aisle and back during the song. Stage crews move s chair back into stable. Place manger in front of stable. Any animals can come and fill the stable during the song. Innkeeper in front of door/inn. and stop at front of center aisle and face forward.] [ Spot on Sign Kid: The Town of Bethlehem. Bring lights up to focus on Innkeeper and /.] : Because of the census, all of the Inns were full when and arrived. [to the Innkeeper] Please ma am, we have traveled all day, and the night is coming. Do you have a room for us? Innkeeper My Inn is full. I m sorry, but you will have to go somewhere else. But we have been to all the other Inns, and no one has a room. Is there no place we can stay? Innkeeper There is one place I have room, in the stables, with the animals. If you want, you can stay there [looking to, who nods] Yes. Thank you. Innkeeper I will see about getting you a blanket. [exits] 4

5 [, and the Donkey settle into the stable with the animals. The Innkeeper returns with a blanket and hands it to and leaves. wraps it around s shoulders] I am sorry I could not get us a room in the Inn Don t be sorry. We have shelter, and the animals will help us to stay warm. It is enough. [STAR enters from behind and rises over Stable. shares the blanket with. The spotlight moves to the star above the stable other lights are dimmed while the Baby Jesus (doll or real) enters the stable. The starts and the spotlight moves down onto the Holy Family] gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manager. All of the animals, the donkeys, cows, sheep and goats gathered around the Christ child. [ Raise lights so altar is lit. Sign Kid: SING] Carol: Away in a Manger #101 vs.1 & 2 [While the parish sings, the angels enter down the center aisle from the back, with. Shepherds take their place near the piano. goes to the Pulpit while the angels fill in around him. Choir takes their place in the wings. When the song ends, lower lights and illuminate and Shepherds.] In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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 Savior, 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. 5

6 Head Shepherd Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us. Come all ye, come! [Shepherds go and kneel before the baby. stands behind and. Dancing Angels take their place for song. Junior choir array themselves around the piano.] GODSPELL MEDLEY lights brighten- As the song picks up pace, Actors go down into the pews and encourage the kids sitting in the first two rows to come up and see the baby. All kids stay up on the altar. As song winds down, lights get softer, and return to Baby and end with light focused on the holy family.] 1 The Christmas story is not about a baby who grows up to be God, but about the God of Israel who invades creation as the helpless child of, becoming like us, so we may become like him, the Beloved Children of God. [Full lights. Sign Kid: REJOICE!] Carol: Go Tell it on the Mountain vs. 1 [Lights go down. One Spotlight on Sign kid; THE END] THE END. 6