The Cathedral Church of St. James December 23, 2018 Children s Christmas Pageant For many of us Christmas Pageants bring a special warm set of memories, whether back to our childhood or to Christmas Specials (like the Charlie Brown Christmas special). As we have our first pageant in many years here at St James Cathedral, you are invited to join in and help tell each other the story. The children will lead us through narration and action, and we will join together in songs to hear the story again. Our hope is that in this pageant you will re-encounter the Christmas story again, find light in the darkness, and celebrate this special season with us.
Welcome to St. James Cathedral This sacred land is the territory of several Indigenous Nations - the Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishnaabe, with special recognition to the Mississaugas of New Credit. We also acknowledge that we are on the shores of Niigaani-gichigami/Lake Ontario. This territory is governed by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Treaty, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Anishnaabe Confederacy to peaceably share and sustain the life of the Great Lakes. In the spirit of that Treaty we seek to place at the centre of our gatherings the values of respectful reciprocity, diversity, peace, responsibility, and mutual aid. Information about Cathedral events, ministries announcements can be found at the back of this booklet after the service program. Questions? Speak to a sidesperson the people wearing gold name tags. Children & Families Sunday School is offered at 11:00am for all children aged 5-12, including visitors, in the Library of the Cathedral Centre. Children and their families are invited to gather in the reserved pews near the entrance of the Cathedral with Children & Youth Coordinator Andrew Kuhl. During the Collect, Andrew will bring the group to the Library, returning to the service for the Eucharist. Speak to Andrew directly about registration or email him at akuhl@stjamescathedral.ca. Nursery Care for preschoolers is available from 8:45am 12:30pm on Sundays, in the Library (Cathedral Centre). Accessibility A Wheelchair Accessible Washroom is located at the front of the Cathedral through the doors by the pulpit. Assisted hearing devices are available from the sidespersons. Coffee Hour Join us for coffee after the 9:00 and 11:00am services in Snell Hall of the Cathedral Centre. The Cathedral Centre is the glass and brick building located behind the Cathedral on Church Street. Parking There are a variety of inexpensive parking lots available around the Cathedral. Please see the leaflets at the back of the Cathedral or online at stjamescathedral.ca/contact for more information. Connect with the Cathedral Visit our website at stjamescathedral.ca Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/stjamesto As this is a very public and open space please be aware of your personal belongings. Do not leave them unattended in the Cathedral or in the Cathedral Centre.
Welcome! We are so glad you have joined us for our pageant this evening. Please ensure that cell phones are turned off and refrain from taking photographs during the pageant. All children are welcome to participate in our pageant, please see the volunteers in St. George s Chapel to find a costume and a role, and be ready for additional instructions throughout. All adults and children are invited to participate in singing the Christmas carols throughout the service! Please follow along in the leaflet for the words to these classic carols. THE GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY Welcome Prelude Interlude The Words of the Prophet Isaiah Lo How A Rose Er Blooming Scene 1 The Angel Gabriel has news for Mary Luke 1:26b-38 Sung Once in Royal David s City Once in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed. Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child. He came down to earth from heaven, who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall. With the poor and mean and lowly lived on earth our Saviour holy. Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by, we shall see him, but in heaven, set at God's right hand on high, when, like stars, his children crowned all in white shall gather round. 1
Scene 2 The Journey to Bethlehem Luke 2:1-7 Away in a Manger Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay; the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love you, Lord Jesus -- look down from on high and stay by my side until morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with you there. Scene 3 Shepherds watch their Flock by Night Luke 2:8-14 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 hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King." 2
Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail, the incarnate Deity, pleased as one of us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! [Refrain] Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings, Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth. [Refrain] Scene 4 Shepherds and Sheep go and greet the new born king Luke 2:15-20 What Child is This What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear: for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. [Refrain] 3
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. Scene 5 Wisemen on their way Matthew 2:1-6 We Three Kings 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 light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light. Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown him again, King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign. [Refrain] Glorious now behold him arise; King and God and sacrifice: Alleluia, Alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies. [Refrain] Scene 6 Wisemen come and worship Matthew 2:7-12 4
O Come all ye Faithful, O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem; come and behold him, born the King of angels; O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. God of God, Light of Light, lo, he abhors not the virgin's womb; very God, begotten not created: [Refrain] Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; glory to God, glory in the highest: [Refrain] See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle, leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear; we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps; [Refrain] Conclusion Please feel free to take photos of your children throughout the cathedral. Please return all costumes to St George s Chapel at the entrance of the Cathedral. Vicar and Priest-in-Charge: The Rev d Louise Peters Director of Music: Robert Busiakiewicz Organist: Ian Sadler Organ Scholar: Nick Veltmeyer With special thanks to all the volunteers who committed their time and talents to help bring this pageant to life. HYMN TEXTS ARE REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION UNDER ONELICENSE.NET LICENSE #8673. V3 5
Please Join us this Christmas Season for Worship Monday, December 24: Christmas Eve 4:30pm A Festival of Nine Lessons & s 7:30pm Choral Eucharist & Procession to the Crèche Tuesday, December 25: Christmas Day 8:00am Said Eucharist 9:00am Sung Eucharist 11:00am Choral Eucharist Tuesday, January 1: New Year s Day 12:30pm Holy Eucharist 1:30pm Bishop s Levee 3:00pm Festive Music 3:30pm Choral Evensong & Presentations to the Order of the Diocese of Toronto Sunday School returns Sunday January 6 th, during our 11:00am Service For more information about Children, Youth, and Family Ministries At St. James Cathedral please visit www.stjamescathedral.ca/children or contact Andrew Kuhl akuhl@stjamescathedral.ca 6