2012 Christmas Eve Pageant Script St. Francis Episcopal Church, San Francisco

Transcription

1 2012 Christmas Eve Pageant Script St. Francis Episcopal Church, San Francisco CAST Narrators: Devitt, Jasso Angel : Riley Brown Joseph: Deke Benham Mary: Justice McHenry Donkey: Amy Williams Kings: Solomon McHenry, Jeffrey Popek, Tristan Popek Angels: Sarah Salinas, Mary Finch, Liz Dick, Kate Dick, Georgina Benham Shepherds: Harrison Brown, Dalton Brown, Leo Cole PROPS Mary s sewing materials Manger Straw for manger (use sheets of tissue paper) King s gifts Christmas star (on pole) The children enter the church in costume as part of the procession during the first hymn And take their places in the chapel pews. Entrance hymn: O come, all ye faithful (three stanzas) 1

2 I. INTRODUCTION Introductory remarks by Rector Tonight we will tell the wonderful story of Jesus birth, as people have done for hundreds of years. Our Christmas pageant tells the story, and everyone joins in singing the Christmas carols. Let s begin with God rest ye merry, gentlemen. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen - Hymn 105 (stanzas 1 + 4) II. THE ANGEL VISITS MARY Long ago God made a promise to send a Savior to the world, to show God s love to everyone. What a wonderful promise! Mary sits on a bench in the chancel, sewing. It happened long ago and far away. In the village of Nazareth a girl was alone in her room. But suddenly she saw someone with her in the room. It was the angel of the Lord! The angel enters and opens her arms wide while standing next to Mary. Mary stands and clasps her hands together as she looks at the angel. 2

3 Riley Riley Justice Mary was afraid. But then the angel spoke to her. Do not be afraid, Mary! God is with you and will give you a great blessing. The angel told Mary she would have a baby and name him Jesus, and Jesus would be a King over God s people. Nothing is impossible for God! The angel s message filled Mary with joy. She was so happy! She sang a beautiful song to praise God. I am God s servant. Let it happen as the angel said! And then the angel went back to heaven. During the following hymn the angel leaves, Mary goes to meet Joseph at the back of the church, and the manger is placed in the chancel. What child is this? Hymn 115 (stanzas 1 + 2) 3

4 III. THE BIRTH OF JESUS Deke It was almost time for Jesus to be born. One day Joseph came to Mary and said, The ruler wants to know how many people live here. We must go to Bethlehem to be counted. Even though Mary s baby was coming soon, off they went. Joseph led the way. They didn t even know where they would stay when they got there. Mary & Joseph slowly walk down the center aisle as Joseph looks left and right, trying to find a place to stay. Deke Justice Deke Justice Joseph and Mary wanted to rent a room, but Bethlehem was full of people. The only room for us is in this stable! But Mary wasn t worried. A stable was better than nothing. Yes, there is fresh hay, and the animals will help keep us warm. We will be all right. God is with us. Mary & Joseph go about settling down for the night. And there in the stable, Jesus was born. Mary holds the Jesus doll and cradles it while Joseph looks on. Mary looked for a place for Jesus bed. She saw a box full of hay. Mary and Joseph put hay in the manger and prepare Jesus bed. Justice I will lay him in this manger. It is the best bed we can find for Jesus. Mary puts the baby in the manger. Then she and Joseph stand to face the congregation. During the following hymn the shepherds go to the back of church as Mary & Joseph remain in place 4

5 Go Tell It On the Mountain Hymn 99, refrain & stanza 3 IV. THE SHEPHERDS AND THE ANGELS Nearby, shepherds were taking care of their sheep. It was quiet and dark all around. Shepherds walk down the center and stop in the middle of the church. Suddenly a bright light was shining around the shepherds. They saw an angel in the light, and they were afraid. Angel goes to meet the shepherds, down center aisle from the front. The shepherds are afraid. Riley Don t be afraid. I have good news for everyone in the whole world. Baby Jesus is born tonight! The angel told them the wonderful news about Jesus birth. Then there were more angels. There were thousands of them! They sang a beautiful song to God. All other angels go from front to meet the shepherds in middle of church. EVERYONE Glory to God! Peace on earth! Glory to God! Peace on earth! After that, the shepherds really wanted to see that baby in the manger! So they went quickly to Bethlehem. 5

6 Shepherds Let s go to Bethlehem! Let s find Baby Jesus! Come on! & Lambs Shepherds, lambs, and angels go to the front of the church. Shepherds & lambs sit on the steps; angels stand behind Mary & Joseph. They found Mary and Joseph, and Jesus in the manger, just as the angel said. The shepherds prayed to Jesus. They thanked God for sending Jesus. Shepherds fold their hands and bow their heads to pray. During the next hymn, Kings (with star) get ready at back of church. The First Noel - Hymn 109 (stanzas 1 + 2) V. THE KINGS Then Kings came from the East. They followed a star to the manger. The kings walk to the middle of the church and stop. Kings Let s follow that star to Jesus! The kings walk to front of church and stand at the manger. 6

7 The kings were happy to see Jesus. They worshiped him and gave him gold and other gifts. Kings place their gifts at the manger and sit on the steps. The angel holds up the star behind the manger scene. During the following hymn all teachers & students go to the manger. We Three Kings Hymn 128 (first & last stanzas) VI. CONCLUSION Deke & Justice Angels Kings & EVERYONE So God kept the promise. God sent Jesus into the world, as promised long ago. Baby Jesus was born in a stable. Angels told the shepherds about Jesus birth. Kings followed the star to Jesus. God loves us all! And that is the story of Jesus birth! Everyone remains in place to sing the Christmas song (see next page). 7

8 2012 Children s Christmas Song Away in a Manger (19 th Century American Tune) Stanza 1 is sung by the children alone, with motions as indicated Fold arms, rock make-believe cradle Lay head on hands Point to sky Look downward, arms open Lay head on hands, at side of face The rest of the hymn is sung by everyone, so if the children wish, they can also learn the following two stanzas by heart. 2. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes; 3. Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.