Child 2
Yeah, we get presents, and we get to see you too.
Grandfather
You know – Christmas is so much more.
Grandmother
Christmas is time to celebrate that Jesus came.
Grandfather
God promised a Savior would come for a long time.
Child 1
A Savior?
Grandmother
Yes, you see all men, women, boys, and girls sin. Because of sin we no longer can be close to God the Father – God is Holy and cannot abide sin. But God made a way for us to be forgiven of sin, so we can be close to God again. That Way is Jesus.
Grandfather
Would you like to hear the story of the time when Jesus left heaven and came to earth?
Grandmother
Actually, the story is being told at our church this very night.
Grandfather
Shall we go and see?
Children
Yes!
Grandmother
The program is called the Festival of Lights.
Grandfather
Who wants to go and see the program?
Children
We do grandpa.
Grandmother
We should get going – it will be starting soon.
Grandfather
Hey, here are some seats right up front – we won’t miss anything!
CD 1 The Coming Light
Ben Lights Candle One
CD 2 Shine Your Light
CD 4 The Light (music for speaking parts)
Grandfather
That’s right. You see, Jesus was born and lived among us. His glory, as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth…
Grandmother
All life is through Him; and this life gives light to all mankind, a light that shines in the darkness—and the darkness can never put it out. And to all those who believe in the Lord Jesus, He gives the right to become children of God.
Child 2
I believe Grandpa.
CD 5 Father of Lights
Music Is paused for dialogue
Child 1
Cool!
Grandfather
Magnificent! Then you know Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem to be counted and pay taxes. After they settled into the only lodging they could find – a stable, the baby Jesus was born.
Grandmother
Listen – we don’t want to bother anyone trying to see the program.
CD 10 Heaven to Earth
CD 14 Light of Hope (music for speaking parts)
Lights Spot needs to be on manger scene
Joseph
It is hard to believe that this Child is the Son of God. And us – look at us – we’re just ordinary people.
Mary
This Child is the hope of the world!
Joseph
We had to take a risk. The risk disrupted our plans – to marry and have a family
Mary
This risk threatened both are reputations and our lives.
Joseph
We believed God’s promises — a virgin would give birth to a son…the promise that this son – Jesus, would be called the Son of God and would bring salvation to all people… the promise of Emmanuel – God with Us.
Mary
God called us to trust in hope. By doing so the darkness is dispelled.
Joseph
By lighting this candle – remember hope is not a ship at the mercy of prevailing winds.
Mary
It is an anchor of the soul – firm and secure, that penetrates the deep invisible places of the heart of God.
Joseph lights 2nd candle.
Lights: Down – Shepherds enter center stage.
CD 15 Come and Behold Him
CD 16 Look to the Skies
Music: (is paused for dialogue)
Shepherd 1
Are all the sheep settled for the night?
Shepherd 2
Yes, Father.
Shepherd 1
Did you forget to check anything? There seems to be something different – something has made the sheep excited…
Shepherd 2
No Father, I took care of the sheep – this time.
Shepherd 3
Do you hear that?
Shepherd 3
It sounds like music – in the distance.
Shepherd 1
I don’t hear anything. We probably should get some rest. It will be another long day tomorrow.
Shepherd 3
I still think I heard something.
Shepherd 2
Everything seems fine to me.
Shepherd 1
The only thing that is amiss is the two of you – be quiet, and go to sleep.
Shepherd 2
Yes, Father.
PEACE
CD 22 Peace on Earth (Shepherds exit during 2nd verse, page 41).
Shepherds come up aisle Measure 36. Measure 42 kneel then Mary & Joseph as well.
CD 26 O Holy Night
CD 27 Light of Peace (music for dialogue)
Shepherd 2
We have come to see the child that was born.
Joseph
How could you have known?
Shepherd 3
There were angels singing in the heavens that the Christ Child had been born.
Shepherd 2
We were told we would find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Mary
Please come closer so you can see.
Shepherd 2
He’s so small.
Shepherd 1
So perfect!
Shepherd 3
The angels called him Emmanuel.
Joseph
Yes, He is certainly God With Us.
Shepherd 1
The prophets of old foretold of the one that would come.
Shepherd 2
How so Father?
Shepherd 1
There are specific prophecies regarding the Messiah – His birth, His life, His destiny. He is to be the greatest ruler – The prophet said that the government would be on his shoulders and it would never end.
Shepherd 3
The angels were singing – we just had to come and see.
Mary
Would you like to hold him?
Shepherd 3
Can I? How could I hold the Messiah – hold God?
LOVE
CD 35 Wonder Him with Love
CD 39 A Gift of Love (music for dialogue)
Grandfather
Jesus was and is the greatest gift that God the Father gave to us.
Grandmother
Mary soon forgot the pain of giving birth – that memory was soon replaced with the memory of the promise.
Grandfather
The Holy Child will be called the Son of God.
Grandmother
The significance must have been overwhelming. The baby she cradled in her arms was a gift from God the Father… a gift of love.
Grandfather
For Mary, the dark chilly stable was transformed into a place of light and warmth and worship.
Grandmother
She worshipped the Messiah, who was the embodiment of God’s love.
Grandfather
He would be made humble…He would suffer and die for the sins of all mankind.
Grandmother lights 3rd candle.
Grandmother
As the 3rd candle is lit, Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends…Jesus commanded – love one another as I have loved you.”
CD 40 Love was Born at Christmas (Children’s Choir)
CD 42 Christmas is all about Love (Children’s Choir)
CD 46 (music is paused for dialogue)
Child 2
You were right Grandpa – Christmas is about more than presents.
Child 1
Yeah, it’s about love, peace, and joy.
Grandfather
Christmas is about asking Jesus to come into our hearts so we will know the love of God, which brings peace and joy.
Grandmother
Listen children, the choir is singing again.
JOY
CD 47 Never Ending Joy
CD 50 Joy to the World
CD 53 Inexpressible Joy (music for dialogue)
Grandfather
When Jesus was born, what was the response from earth and heaven? The whole universe celebrated with exuberant joy!
Grandmother
Passionate joy!…
Shepherd 1
Triumphant joy!
Grandfather
Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds all responded with spontaneous, wide-eyed joy.
Child 2
They couldn’t keep it to themselves.
Child 1
After all, the long awaited Messiah was here.
Grandfather lights 4th Candle
Grandfather
As the 4th and final candle is lit, remember the joy of your salvation.
Grandmother
And the unending joy of God’s presence.
CD 60 (music for dialogue)
Child 1
I wonder sometimes how many people know about the true meaning of Christmas.
Child 2
Most think about pretty lights, ribbons, bows, and presents.
Grandmother
I wonder too – and about how many when they receive their gifts on Christmas think of the Child that was a gift from God the Father.
Child 2
I hope everyone will know the true meaning of Christmas.
CD 61 Merry Christmas to You (Carla and Kristen Crouch)
CD 65 Let There be Light (music for dialogue)
Grandfather
That was wonderful.
Grandmother
Oh – you were off key, as usual.
Grandfather
There’s nothing more glorious than hearing about the Savior’s birth.
Grandmother
Isn’t that the truth?
Child 1
Can I hold the baby like the Shepherd did?
CD 66 Carols of Worship and Praise
CD 78 Father of Lights (Reprise)
CD 82 Hallelujah Chorus
Copyright, all rights reserved.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW
Read more articles by Fay Johnson or search for articles on the same topic or others.
