Christmas Pageant Assignments

Christmas Pageant, December 12th, 2010

At 9a.m. First voices will come to the front (in costume) to sing “He Came Down” during the advent lighting.

All other Children will line up near the water fountain, and wait there in line through the lighting of the Advent Candle. They will come into the sanctuary during “Once In Royal David’s City.” They will parade in alone the side of the sanctuary, across the back, and down the middle aisle together.


All except for Herod and the Wisemen go to the front of the sanctuary. Angles sit on the piano side. Shepherds sit on the door side. Mary and Joseph sit in front pew. Angel Gabriel sits in front pew. Emperor Augustus goes to chair behind the pulpit.

HYMN #462 ”ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY” VS 1, 2 AND 4

BRANDON: THE PROPHECY OF ISAIAH
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and
uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge
the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;

Hymn “O Come All Ye Faithful” #170, all verses

Gabriel and Mary Enter Chancel during this hymn [Mary on chair, Gabriel standing near]

EMILY AND MARY: THE ANNUNCIATION STORY Luke 1:26-33; 2: 1-5
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, (STOP Angel Gabriel will say the following lines) “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He 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. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”


In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. The emperor said, (STOP-Emperor says, “everyone must register, I've got to get my tax profits, you know!) This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” #171 vs. 1 and 2
Mary and Joseph travel from the front of the sanctuary, down to the middle of the sanctuary and then back to the front and up on the platform. They sit by the manger. [manger and two chairs-Seth to place]


DIERRA: THE BIRTH IN THE MANGER Luke 2 : 6 - 7
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Hymn #157 “Away In A Manger” verses 1-2
All Shepherds travel up the middle a ways, and then to the piano side of the front, not yet looking for the manger. They are watching sheep. // Also, all angels move to the platform and the steps across the whole front. They are looking at the shepherds.

MEREIA: THE ANGELS’ SONG Luke 2: 8-14
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, (STOP, Gabriel will say this) “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to 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.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, (STOP Angels will say this) “Glory to God and Peace on earth!”

Hymn #154 Silent Night, Verses 1&2
Shepherds and angels remain in their places

GAB: THE SHEPHERDS’ RESPONSE Luke 2: 15 - 20
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, (STOP-talking shepherds say, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.)” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.


Hymn #156, vs. 1&2 “The First Noel”
Angels and Shepherds are now crowded around the manger, looking at the baby.
Star Enters during this hymn
As the star gets to the front Herod should come stand in the middle of the sanctuary. As the “quest of the magi” reading begins, the wise men should be standing in back, ready for their reading. Both Herod and Wisemen should have their lines on note cards.

ROSE: THE QUEST OF THE MAGI Matthew 2: 1 - 6
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. The wise men were saying, (STOP-wisemen SAY “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”). When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled. Herod said, (HEROD says, “I AM TROUBLED) , and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judaea ; for it is written by the prophet. And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

The Kings start walking while the reading is happening. They should walk ALL OVER to the back and sides of the sanctuary, slowly walking and looking. They are doing this while “We Three Kings” Is being sung.

Hymn #176 vs. 1 and 5 “We Three Kings of Orient Are”
By the end of “We Three Kings” the Kings are in front of Herod in the middle of the sanctuary.

ROSE: THE STAR LEADS TO BETHLEHEM Matthew 2:7 - 12
Then Herod, when he had called the Wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem , and said ,(STOP- HEROD SAYS go and search for the young child; and when you have found him., bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also). When they had heard the king, they departed; and the star, which they saw in the east, went before them , till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they came into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him; and when they had opened their treasures they presented him with gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And after visiting him, being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed to their own country another way.

The Presentation of Gifts/Cans/Gloves/Clothing/Toys/mission envelopes/
THE CONGREGATION WILL COME FORWARD AT THIS TIME TO BRING THEIR GIFTS WHILE VOICES OF PRAISE SINGS “THE VIRGIN MARY HAD A BABY BOY.”

THEN, AFTER VOICES OF PRAISE, CONGREGATION SINGS HYMN #163 (ALL VERSES) “HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING”

BENEDICTION
Almighty God our heavenly father, Who makes us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of your only son Jesus Christ, help us to joyfully receive Him. Help us to love him as our redeemer and friend, and to be surrounded by his light, love and power. May your blessing come to all of us, while we are together for worship, and while we are serving in your world. Help us to bring glory to your name through the way we live as Christ-lights in the world. May the power of your love seen in the infant Christ inspire and make us new this Christmas.
Amen

Pastors thank the actors for reminding us of the story of the birth of our Lord.

Passing the Peace of Christ//end it with Hymn #161 Joy to the World verses 1&4
During the singing of this hymn the children and pageant leaders leave the sanctuary to have a special Christmas Party!