CHRISTMAS READING – by Tanis Harms, © 2015
CHRISTMAS READING – by Tanis Harms, © 2015
.....use in address bar: churchskits.blogspot.com
(Ideal for Christmas candlelight services, with flexibility to personalize. Use other music or use the recommended, free, public domain sheet music. Download at this link.)
STYLE:
Recital program. (6 pages)
PREMISE:
The Christmas story is told with scripture readings, songs, skits, nativity scene, and lighting the Advent candles.
TOPIC:
The Christmas story.
SCRIPTURE:
John 1:1,14; Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7; 2:8-20; 2: 15-20; Matt.2:1-15.
CHARACTERS (LINE COUNT) DESCRIPTION:
(14) READER – clear, strong speaker
( 2) MARY –
( 2) GABRIEL -
( 0) JOSEPH –
( 1) ANGEL 1 –
( 1) ANGEL 2 –
( 1) ANGELS – as many as you can have
( 1) SHEPHERD –
( 0) SHEPHERDS –
( 1) MAGI –
( 0) MAGIS –
( 1) HEROD -
SINGER/S - (optional, can just have congregational singing)
NOTE:
Actors’ lines can be pre-recorded, or other people can speak from offstage, while actors simply hold their poses.
SET:
Stage needs spots for singer/s (if you have), reader/s, Advent candles, “scene area”, and “nativity scene” area.
PROPS:
Table with Advent candles, manger, stool/s, crown.
SCRIPT:
.....use in address bar: churchskits.blogspot.com
(Ideal for Christmas candlelight services, with flexibility to personalize. Use other music or use the recommended, free, public domain sheet music. Download at this link.)
STYLE:
Recital program. (6 pages)
PREMISE:
The Christmas story is told with scripture readings, songs, skits, nativity scene, and lighting the Advent candles.
TOPIC:
The Christmas story.
SCRIPTURE:
John 1:1,14; Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7; 2:8-20; 2: 15-20; Matt.2:1-15.
CHARACTERS (LINE COUNT) DESCRIPTION:
(14) READER – clear, strong speaker
( 2) MARY –
( 2) GABRIEL -
( 0) JOSEPH –
( 1) ANGEL 1 –
( 1) ANGEL 2 –
( 1) ANGELS – as many as you can have
( 1) SHEPHERD –
( 0) SHEPHERDS –
( 1) MAGI –
( 0) MAGIS –
( 1) HEROD -
SINGER/S - (optional, can just have congregational singing)
NOTE:
Actors’ lines can be pre-recorded, or other people can speak from offstage, while actors simply hold their poses.
SET:
Stage needs spots for singer/s (if you have), reader/s, Advent candles, “scene area”, and “nativity scene” area.
PROPS:
Table with Advent candles, manger, stool/s, crown.
SCRIPT:
READER:
John 1:1, 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us…”
(SONG 1: “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne”, vs.1-2, lyrics by Emily E.S. Eliott, music by Timothy R. Matthews.)
(During song, Mary walks down aisle to light the first Advent candle, then enters “scene area” to pose. Gabriel enters and poses as if delivering the message to Mary.)
READER:
The Reading of Virgin Mary. (Luke 1:26-38.)
(making a poignant pause)
God sent the angel Gabriel to a city called Nazareth– with a message for a young girl. Mary, a virgin, was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of David. And when Gabriel appeared, Mary was greatly troubled. Gabriel said to her,
GABRIEL:
Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. You will become pregnant, and give birth to a Son, and you will name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David; and He will reign over the descendants of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will never end.
READER:
Mary replied-
MARY:
But how can this be, since I am a virgin?
READER:
Gabriel answered and said to her-
GABRIEL:
The Holy Spirit will come upon you; and for that reason, the holy Child will be called the Son of God... for there is nothing that God cannot do.”
READER:
Mary responded-
MARY:
I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.
(SONG 2: “O Come All Ye Faithful”, vs.1-3, by John Francis Wade.)
(During song, Mary moves to “nativity scene” to kneel in prayer in front of manger. Gabriel goes to stand over her. Meanwhile, Joseph walks down the aisle to light the second Advent candle, then poses in the “scene area”. Angel 1 enters and poses as if delivering the message to Joseph.)
READER:
The Reading of Joseph. (Matthew 1:18-25.) Joseph was a man who always did what was right. But when Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant, he did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he made plans to secretly break off the engagement. While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
ANGEL 1:
Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for according to the prophet, it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived. She will have a Son, and you will name Him Jesus– which means “God is with us”- because He will save His people from their sins.
READER:
So when Joseph woke up, he married Mary, and knew her not until the birth of her firstborn Son. And Joseph named Him Jesus. (Luke 2:1-7.) This took place in Bethlehem, the birthplace of his ancestor, King David, because of the census ordered by Caesar Augustus. When they arrived, there was no room in the inn, so Mary wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger.
(SONG 3: “Angels We Have Heard on High”, vs.1,4.)
(During song, Joseph moves to “nativity scene” to be next to Mary. Angel 1 stands next to Gabriel and over Joseph. Meanwhile, Angel 2 and Angels walk down aisle, and one angel lights the third Advent candle, then they all pose in “scene area”, in a group, as if in solemn prayer.)
READER:
The Reading of the Angels. (Luke 2:8-20.)
(making a poignant pause)
There were some shepherds in that part of the country, who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. And they were terrified. But the angel said to them-
ANGEL 2:
(stepping forward, stretching arms out)
Do not be afraid; I am here with good news of a great joy which will be for all the people. This very day, in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
READER:
Suddenly, a multitude of heaven’s angels appeared singing praises to God:
ANGELS:
(stepping forward with upstretched arms)
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased.
(SONG 4: “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”, vs.1-2, lyrics by Nahum Tate, music by George Frederick Handel.)
(During song, Angels move to “nativity scene” and fill up the back space. Meanwhile, Shepherds walk down the aisle and one lights the fourth Advent candle, then they pose in “scene area” as if in a deep but joyful discussion.)
READER:
The Reading of the Shepherds. (Luke 2: 15-20.)
(making a poignant pause)
When the angels were gone, the shepherds said to one another,
SHEPHERD:
Let us go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.
(Shepherds freeze in their poses as reader finishes.)
READER:
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and saw the Baby lying in the manger. When the shepherds saw Him, they told Joseph and Mary what the angel had said about the Child. Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. When they left, the shepherds sang praises and glorified God for all they had heard and seen. And everyone who heard it wondered at these things.
(SONG 5: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, vs.1-2, lyrics by Philips Brooks, music by Lewis H. Redner.)
(During song, Shepherds join “nativity scene. Meanwhile, Magi walk down the aisle, and one lights center Advent candle, then they pose in the “scene area”. Herod steps in front the side to confront them.)
READER:
The Reading of the Wise Men. (Matthew 2:1-15.) About two years after Jesus was born, some men who studied the stars came from the east and arrived in Jerusalem. These wise men went to King Herod and asked,
MAGI:
Where is the baby born to be King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.
READER:
King Herod and all of Jerusalem were angered. He met with the chief priests and the scribes to figure out where the Christ was to be born. King Herod then met secretly with the wise men and asked them when the star first appeared. He then told the wise men to go to Bethlehem, as it was predicted by the prophet. He also told them-
HEROD:
When you have found Him, report to me, that I too may come and worship Him.
READER:
But the wise men had been warned in a dream to go home another way, as King Herod wanted to find the Child in order to kill Him. When the wise men came to Bethlehem, they found the Child with Mary and Joseph. Opening their treasures, they give Him costly gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And they rejoiced and fell down to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
(SONG 6: “Joy to the World”, vs.1-2, lyrics by Isaac Watts, music by George Frederick Handel.)
(During song, Herod exits abruptly. Magi humbly join “nativity scene” with gifts extended toward manger.)
(OPTION: short message from Pastor, then lighting of the candles and passing of the light, which is usually done while singing “Silent Night”.)
(SONG 7: “Silent Night”, all verses, then repeat verse 1, lyrics by Joseph Mohr, music by Franz Gruber.)
John 1:1, 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us…”
(SONG 1: “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne”, vs.1-2, lyrics by Emily E.S. Eliott, music by Timothy R. Matthews.)
(During song, Mary walks down aisle to light the first Advent candle, then enters “scene area” to pose. Gabriel enters and poses as if delivering the message to Mary.)
READER:
The Reading of Virgin Mary. (Luke 1:26-38.)
(making a poignant pause)
God sent the angel Gabriel to a city called Nazareth– with a message for a young girl. Mary, a virgin, was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of David. And when Gabriel appeared, Mary was greatly troubled. Gabriel said to her,
GABRIEL:
Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. You will become pregnant, and give birth to a Son, and you will name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David; and He will reign over the descendants of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will never end.
READER:
Mary replied-
MARY:
But how can this be, since I am a virgin?
READER:
Gabriel answered and said to her-
GABRIEL:
The Holy Spirit will come upon you; and for that reason, the holy Child will be called the Son of God... for there is nothing that God cannot do.”
READER:
Mary responded-
MARY:
I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.
(SONG 2: “O Come All Ye Faithful”, vs.1-3, by John Francis Wade.)
(During song, Mary moves to “nativity scene” to kneel in prayer in front of manger. Gabriel goes to stand over her. Meanwhile, Joseph walks down the aisle to light the second Advent candle, then poses in the “scene area”. Angel 1 enters and poses as if delivering the message to Joseph.)
READER:
The Reading of Joseph. (Matthew 1:18-25.) Joseph was a man who always did what was right. But when Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant, he did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he made plans to secretly break off the engagement. While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
ANGEL 1:
Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for according to the prophet, it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived. She will have a Son, and you will name Him Jesus– which means “God is with us”- because He will save His people from their sins.
READER:
So when Joseph woke up, he married Mary, and knew her not until the birth of her firstborn Son. And Joseph named Him Jesus. (Luke 2:1-7.) This took place in Bethlehem, the birthplace of his ancestor, King David, because of the census ordered by Caesar Augustus. When they arrived, there was no room in the inn, so Mary wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger.
(SONG 3: “Angels We Have Heard on High”, vs.1,4.)
(During song, Joseph moves to “nativity scene” to be next to Mary. Angel 1 stands next to Gabriel and over Joseph. Meanwhile, Angel 2 and Angels walk down aisle, and one angel lights the third Advent candle, then they all pose in “scene area”, in a group, as if in solemn prayer.)
READER:
The Reading of the Angels. (Luke 2:8-20.)
(making a poignant pause)
There were some shepherds in that part of the country, who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. And they were terrified. But the angel said to them-
ANGEL 2:
(stepping forward, stretching arms out)
Do not be afraid; I am here with good news of a great joy which will be for all the people. This very day, in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
READER:
Suddenly, a multitude of heaven’s angels appeared singing praises to God:
ANGELS:
(stepping forward with upstretched arms)
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased.
(SONG 4: “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”, vs.1-2, lyrics by Nahum Tate, music by George Frederick Handel.)
(During song, Angels move to “nativity scene” and fill up the back space. Meanwhile, Shepherds walk down the aisle and one lights the fourth Advent candle, then they pose in “scene area” as if in a deep but joyful discussion.)
READER:
The Reading of the Shepherds. (Luke 2: 15-20.)
(making a poignant pause)
When the angels were gone, the shepherds said to one another,
SHEPHERD:
Let us go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.
(Shepherds freeze in their poses as reader finishes.)
READER:
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and saw the Baby lying in the manger. When the shepherds saw Him, they told Joseph and Mary what the angel had said about the Child. Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. When they left, the shepherds sang praises and glorified God for all they had heard and seen. And everyone who heard it wondered at these things.
(SONG 5: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, vs.1-2, lyrics by Philips Brooks, music by Lewis H. Redner.)
(During song, Shepherds join “nativity scene. Meanwhile, Magi walk down the aisle, and one lights center Advent candle, then they pose in the “scene area”. Herod steps in front the side to confront them.)
READER:
The Reading of the Wise Men. (Matthew 2:1-15.) About two years after Jesus was born, some men who studied the stars came from the east and arrived in Jerusalem. These wise men went to King Herod and asked,
MAGI:
Where is the baby born to be King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.
READER:
King Herod and all of Jerusalem were angered. He met with the chief priests and the scribes to figure out where the Christ was to be born. King Herod then met secretly with the wise men and asked them when the star first appeared. He then told the wise men to go to Bethlehem, as it was predicted by the prophet. He also told them-
HEROD:
When you have found Him, report to me, that I too may come and worship Him.
READER:
But the wise men had been warned in a dream to go home another way, as King Herod wanted to find the Child in order to kill Him. When the wise men came to Bethlehem, they found the Child with Mary and Joseph. Opening their treasures, they give Him costly gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And they rejoiced and fell down to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
(SONG 6: “Joy to the World”, vs.1-2, lyrics by Isaac Watts, music by George Frederick Handel.)
(During song, Herod exits abruptly. Magi humbly join “nativity scene” with gifts extended toward manger.)
(OPTION: short message from Pastor, then lighting of the candles and passing of the light, which is usually done while singing “Silent Night”.)
(SONG 7: “Silent Night”, all verses, then repeat verse 1, lyrics by Joseph Mohr, music by Franz Gruber.)
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