Christmas Pageant 2018 The Greatest Gift
Signs for Old Folks’ Home on church doors. Three chairs set up in altar area near the Christmas tree.
Opening Hymn Love came down at Christmas H 84
The old folks come in from sacristy and sit in the chairs during this hymn
Person One– Elizabeth—Isn’t the tree pretty this year? I’m glad the people who work here put up a tree for us, but I surely do miss decorating my own tree every year. I miss all the things I used to do to get ready for Christmas. I miss putting out my creche every year. I feel deprived, just having to sit here. But at least there’s a tree!
Person Two–Alex—Christmas is hard for me because I miss the way things used to be. I miss gathering around the tree with my family—so many people I love have died, or they’re so far away that I never see them. I keep wondering what it all means—God coming to us as a human being—God with us. Isn’t that the meaning of Christmas? But do you all think that God is with us right now? Here in THIS place? I don’t know. Old age has challenged my faith in ways I didn’t expect. I just don’t feel excited by Christmas any more. I’m not even sure I believe in Christmas any more.
Person Three–Ken—Speaking of family, my family hardly ever comes to visit, especially in December. Every time I talk to them on the phone, they’re so busy rushing around buying presents, cooking, decorating, and hurrying to yet another party that they barely have time to even tell me what they’re up to. And the grandchildren have so many commitments—I hardly ever see them at all. Everyone is so busy. Everyone seems harassed. There’s no peace anywhere. No one seems to have time for me. I wonder—Does God have time for me anymore, now that I’m so old?
Person One–Elizabeth—I’ve noticed that even the church groups that visit tend to disappear the closer we get to Christmas. I guess they’ve got so much going on that they put some of their good deeds, like visiting us, on hold this close to Christmas. And the people who work here—they just seem to be in a hurry to finish their shifts and leave. Yes, I guess we’ll have to face it—Christmas is a lonesome time for us. I guess we really don’t have anything to offer. Why would anyone want to come see us?
Carolers come down the aisle.
Spokesperson for carolers–Nancy—Hello, everyone. We’re from St Peter’s Episcopal Church and we’re here to share some Christmas joy with you!
Carolers hand out small gifts.
Person Two–Alex—Oh! This is wonderful! Look! I got an apple and an orange and some nuts! I grew up on a farm and we didn’t have much. In fact, no one had much in those days. But at least we had enough to eat. My mother showed me how to make sandwiches so that I could fix something for the people who would come begging at our door around dinner time while my mother was trying to get something on the table for the rest of us. At Christmas, we might get an apple, an orange, and some nuts if we were lucky. Oh, those apples and oranges were so delicious! I can almost taste them right now! Oh, thank you. This gift brings back so many happy memories.
Person One—Elizabeth– And look! A little creche. Thank you. we always put out the creche and then on Christmas Eve, because I was the youngest child, I got to put the baby Jesus in the manger. And my parents always said, “That baby is the greatest gift—God’s gift of love to us.” Just holding this creche in my hand makes me think of holding the Baby Jesus and then placing him in the manger on Christmas Eve. In fact, I feel as if I could almost see the whole story unfolding in front of my eyes!
Person Three—Ken–And I got an angel. My favorite person in the Christmas story is Mary. Remember how she was visited by the Angel Gabriel? Mary was perplexed by the angel’s words and pondered what they could mean. But after she heard what the angel had to say, Mary answered, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” She put her plans on hold in order to honor God’s plan for her life.
Carolers sing “The angel Gabriel” H 265
While they are singing, Angel Gabriel and Mary come down the aisles, one on either side and meet in front of the church. The Angel holds out hands toward her in blessing.
When song ends, the Angel and Mary go back out.
Person One– Elizabeth—And then Mary goes to see her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth was old like we are, but she’s pregnant, and is going to be the mother of John the Baptist. I like that part of the story because it gives me hope that God can create something new in me too, even though I feel useless a lot of the time.
Caroler spokesperson—Nancy–We know the song of praise to God that Mary sang out to Elizabeth—a song about God turning the world upside down when the kingdom of God comes to earth. Do you want to hear it?
People together—Yes!
Carolers sing and Nancy invites the congregation to join. Tell out my soul H 438
Caroler spokesperson—Nancy–—Tomorrow night is Christmas Eve, so we want to sing some Christmas carols for you now. Do you have any favorites?
Person Three—Ken– I love the carols about Bethlehem, since that’s where Jesus was born.
Caroler spokesperson—Nancy So I bet you know O Little Town of Bethlehem (H 79) The carolers sing the first verse.
Person Two—Alex– After all the years of hearing the Christmas story though, I still can’t believe that Mary and Joseph traveled all that way, and then no one would give them a place to stay. The Son of God, born in a stable! I’m still shocked by that.
Innkeeper stands up in the front pew where he has been sitting. Mary and Joseph come down the aisle.
Joseph —Justin Long–We’ve traveled all the way from Nazareth and we’re here to pay our taxes. We need a place to stay. I’ve asked all over town, and no one will take us in. And….. my wife is about to have her first baby.
Innkeeper John Hess-—Sorry, sir, but there’s no more room in this inn.
Joseph—Justin Long I don’t want my wife to give birth right here in your courtyard or out in the street.
Innkeeper—John Hess (Hesitating) Well, you are welcome to go into the stable. Your wife can have her baby there. I don’t have anything else to offer.
(Innkeeper sits down, Mary and Joseph go out through sacristy door.)
Person Three–Ken—I can’t help but think that at this age, I don’t have much to offer either. But hearing this part of the story again—it makes me think. God took this small meager offering of the innkeeper and turned his stable into the birthplace of God’s son! Imagine that! Maybe God will use whatever I have to offer, even if it doesn’t seem worthy– and turn it into something that will show God’s glory.
Carolers H 102 Once in Royal David’s City Verses 1-3, 6
While they are singing, stage hands bring out animals, put manger on altar, fill manger with hay, and Mary and Joseph and baby come out and take their places.
Once everyone is in place, Carolers sing Still, still, still 236 in Christmas Songs
When lullaby is over, shepherds come down front. Adult shepherd with little ones.
Carolers sing God rest ye merry , gentlemen, H 105 while angels come down the other aisle, led by Angel Gabriel.
When everyone is in place, then Alex speaks.
Person Two–Alex—The shepherds were common laborers who smelled like their sheep. And the angels brought THEM the good news! You would have thought the angels would have shown up in the temple, or in the streets of Jerusalem, or at the king’s palace to share their news, but instead, the angels came to the shepherds out in the fields.
Person One—Elizabeth—So are you saying that angels could come and speak to ordinary people like us? And bring good news, even to a place like this, full of disability and death?
Person Three–Ken—You heard that what they just sang. The angel said “Fear Not!” to the shepherds.
Carolers–Nancy invites everyone to sing Angels we have heard on high H 96
And during singing, shepherds and angels go and stand around the manger.
When everyone is in place, Ken speaks.
Person Three–Ken—Let’s don’t forget the star! And the wisemen!
Carolers sing There’s a song in the air! Page 242 in the Christmas Song book
Star comes down the aisle, goes to manger, and “holds” star above the Holy Family. (Star hopefully will be kid on some tall person’s shoulders)
Person Two–Alex—I’m always inspired by the wisemen. Just think, they had been searching the heavens for years, waiting for a sign of the birth of a king. They never gave up! They must have gotten discouraged, but then—they saw the star! The sign they’d been waiting for!
Person Three–Ken— And they had the faith to follow, not having any idea where the star would lead or how long they’d be gone. They never gave up, and they followed the star without being able to see the end of their journey. The only thing I’ve been able to see lately for the end of my journey is death, but now I’m thinking—wait, if Jesus is the light of the world, and I follow him, the journey I’m on will last through eternity! We don’t have to fear, only follow!
Person One–Elizabeth—And they each brought a unique gift. Maybe I have some unique gift to bring that God needs and that no one else but me can offer.
Nancy invites Carolers and congregation to sing We Three Kings H 128 while wisemen come in with their gifts one at a time and go to manger.
Now everyone should be around the altar—old people, Holy Family, Shepherds, Angels, Star and wisemen.
Carolers to the people—Well, it’s been wonderful to be with you on Christmas Eve Eve! Just think, Christmas Eve tomorrow night, and then Christmas Day!
Person Two–Alex—Thank you for coming and bringing hope and joy and love into this place! All of a sudden, I’m feeling a little excited about Christmas!
Person One–-Elizabeth
And can you sing just one more carol for us? It’s one of my favorites—I know it isn’t Christmas Day yet, but I want to remember you singing it when I wake up on Tuesday morning. Hearing it will remind me that all over the world, Christians are celebrating because Jesus has been born and God is with us, even here! Jesus is God’s greatest gift to us! And just think, God’s peace on this earth could actually come to pass!
So can you sing, I heard the bells on Christmas Day!
Carolers–Sure! We can sing that for you! Nancy invites congregation to join in.
End with I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Someone rings church bell at beginning and throughout. And some of the children around the altar ring bells.
Closing Prayer and Dismissal
Carols
Opening hymn Love came down at Christmas H 84 (Choir and congregation)
The Angel Gabriel H 265 (Choir)
Tell out my soul H 438 (Choir and Congregation)
O Little town of Bethlehem H 79, vs 1 (Choir)
Once in Royal David’s City H 102, vs 1-3, 6
Still, still, still Christmas Songs page 236 (Choir)
God rest ye merry, gentlemen! H 105 (Choir)
Angels we have heard on high H 96 (Choir and congregation)
There’s a song in the air Christmas Songs page 242
We three kings of orient are H 128 (Choir and congregation)
Closing hymn I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Characters Christmas Pageant 2018
Person One—Elizabeth Heimbach
Person Two—Alex Long IV
Person Three –Ken Pogue
Choir
Spokesperson for Choir—Nancy Long
Angel Gabriel (non speaking part)
Mary (non speaking part)
Innkeeper
Joseph
Stage hands
Holy Family (Felicia, Andrew and Everett)
Adult Shepherd (non speaking part)
Little shepherds
Little angels
Star Carrier and star (Child with a star costume) can ride on the shoulders of the carrier (Scarlett and Alex V?) (Karisah?)
Wiseman
Wiseman
Wiseman
Someone to ring the church bell
Props
Sign for The Port Royal Home for Old Folks (One for each door) Include visiting hours, etc.
Chairs for the “old folks”
Gift bags, one with an orange, apple and nuts; one with a creche, one with an angel
Stable animals, manger and hay
Star costume
Wiseman gifts
Bells