spread throughout the church where they have been

Transcription

1 We SD M ms?,\ CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT 2018 PARISH OF SAINT ANDREW (The cast is spread throughout the church where they have been positioned for their first entrances. From those positions they will sing in darkness:) SONG: IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER (ENTme 0989 Bloc games NARRATOR: In the bleak midwinter, long, long ago, in the city of Nazareth, a story began which we still remember today. It is the story about the true meaning of Christmas. A young woman named Mary lived in Nazareth and she had such a miraculous thing happen to her that we bless her name still! One day, while she was sitting at home, an angel of God appeared to her. Mary had never seen an angel before and she was very afraid, until God's angel, seeing how frightened she was, spoke to her in a reassuring voice: iorni r0 éoniilo. ANGEL GABRIEL: FEAR NOT, MARY! For thou hast found favor with God.And behold! Thou shall conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son - and shall call his name,jesus.

2 NARRATOR: Mary was very glad to be so honored by God and was eager to give birth to Jesus. Yet she wondered how God could make this happen, since she was not yet married to Joseph. However, the angel told her that the Holy Spirit would descend upon her to make this miracle happen and Mary knew it would be as the angel had said.she sang a song of rejoicing: 1'. Awe; SONG: MY SOUL BOTH GLORY IN YOUR LOVE, 0 LORD NARRATOR: The Bible tells us that Joseph, too, was visited by an angel. This angel came to him in a dream and explained that the baby growing inside of Mary was the baby Jesus, the Son of God. Joseph was honored to make Mary his wife and to share in her excitement as they waited for Jesus to be born. Joseph 1 NicK Halo (Joseph will enter and joyfully hug Mary. Then, Joseph pulls out the decree and shows it to Mary) NARRATOR: In those days, the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, ruled most of the known world. He ruled very sternly,therefore, when a decree went out from Caesar ordering everyone to return to their native cities to be taxed and counted,joseph knew he would have to obey. As a descendent of David, Joseph had to return to Bethlehem to register. He knew it would be a long trip, but he couldn't bear to leave Mary behind when the birth was so near. It was several days later when they reached Bethlehem and Mary was very tired from the journey. As they entered the walls of the city, they realized that many

3 people had arrived before them. The streets were very crowded, and the people jostled Mary as Joseph led them from inn to inn, trying to find a room. (The cast will start whispering, "no room, no room ) But every place Joseph tried, he was turned away. Finally, one innkeeper, seeing how very tired Mary was, took pity on them and welcomed them to spend the night in the stable behind the inn. Nickolas Trwvm SONG: FRIEND, YOU NEED A HAND NARRATOR: The innkeeper led Mary and Joseph outside to the stable. The sky was clear and filled with stars. There was a special feeling in the air---why, even the night WIND created a special aura that descended over the world that blessed night. SONG: DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? (fourth graders first verse) NARRATOR: It was indeed a special night the Bible tells us that Mary brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. Lined with soft warm hay, it made a perfect bed for the baby Jesus. How proud Mary and Joseph must have been as they looked down on their son.they knew he was also God's son, and that he would bring so much peace to the world. They knew that God must also be feeling proud, but they didn't know that He was sending messengers from heaven to tell the world of the baby's birth. WW W SONG: HE IS Talu Walked. BORN

4 I NARRATOR: In the same country, a group of shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks of sheep. Imagine their surprise when, all of a sudden, the whole sky was glowing with a brilliant light and an angel of God appeared! Just as Mary had been afraid when the angel had visited her in Nazareth, the shepherds were terrified, and they fell to their knees. But their fear was replaced with joy when they heard the angel speak: Rom; m ANGEL GABRIEL: Fear not! For behold! bring you good tidings of greatjoy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. SONG: DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? (fifth graders, sixth graders sing their verses and all shepherds sing the final verse) NARRATOR:Suddenly, a multitude of heavenly hosts filled the sky, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on Earth, peace and good will toward men. SONG: ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH " EWIKE THIRD GRRbE NARRATOR: The animals, too, gathered around the shepherds and the Holy Family. The stable was full of sweet smelling hay and their friendly faces.thesefriendly beasts each had their own proud story to tell.

5 .. o. SONGzTHE FRIENDLY BEASTS, GRADES owe AND Two mm soboisfs K : mm%&%m éovoo S,Mrm (QM ska? - Kodaima evsmmz Gabyioh Cd NARRATOR: Now, not everyone understood the significance of the birth of the Holy babe. They were expecting to meet a magnificent king and were a little confused when they realized that all the fuss was about a BABY. SONG: ONLY A BABY CAME Pingwim mum J essm me056 60W» Simco NARRATOR: In addition to sending the heavenly angels to announce the holy birth, God sent another message in the form of a brilliant star. The star was seen by three wise men in the East, who some say were astrologers. Others say they were kings. Watching the heavens, they became fascinated by the star and went to King Herod to inquire, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him. SONG:WETHREE WISE MEN - SWPNS 0605* members NARRATOR: The wise men followed the star of Bethlehem until it came to rest above the stable where Jesus was. Upon seeing the baby, they fell down before Him and worshipped Him. They laid before Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh---the richest gifts of the day.

6 The three wise men received word in a dream not to report back to Herod, as he wanted to kill the baby Jesus. So they returned to their land by another route. People continued to come from near and far to gaze upon the Christ child and give him gifts. There were some who thought they had nothing to give, but they really had a very special gift. SONGzMIDWINTER LASTVERSE FW WWW * CWWPLW WW NARRATOR: Christmas will always be a fun time for giving gifts, having parties and being with family. But most important of all, Christmas is a time for celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. May the spirit of Christmas always fill our hearts as we remember that God's gift to us on that first Christmas was the greatest gift of all. SONG:THEJESUS STAR (941% Wm