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CHRISTMAS TABLEAU - written by Tanis Harms
TOPIC: the story and purpose of Jesus’ birth
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:18-2:18; Luke 2:1-20
STYLE: a Christmas program with songs and
. dramatic soliloquies: each character
. delivers a soliloquy, then poses around
. the manger in the nativity tableau.
. I have recommended songs to be sung
. either by the characters or a choir.
Cast: MARY, JOSEPH, INN KEEPER'S WIFE,
. SHEPHERD/S, MAGI & extras, ANGEL, PERSON
Set & Props: manger, stool
SCRIPT:
SONG: "OUR DAY OF JOY IS HERE AGAIN"
. - lyrics & music by Andrew L. Skoog
. (verse 1)
. Our day of joy is here again,
. With love and peace and song;
. Come, let us join the angelic strain
. With voices clear and strong.
. (chorus)
. Glory to our God, we sing,
. Glory to our Lord and King;
. Peace, goodwill with all abide
. This holy Christmas tide.
. (verse 2)
. When darkness lay upon this earth,
. A glorious light did shine;
. God sent a Gift of priceless worth,
. And showed His love divine.
. (chorus)
. Glory to our God, we sing,
. Glory to our Lord and King;
. Peace, goodwill with all abide
. This holy Christmas tide.
. 2
. (verse 3)
. Now to the manger let us go,
. To worship and adore,
. The tender Babe upon the straw,
. Our Savior ever more.
. (chorus)
. Glory to our God, we sing,
. Glory to our Lord and King;
. Peace, goodwill with all abide
. This holy Christmas tide.
. (verse 4)
. How wonderful that God's own Son
. Should so Himself abase
. He thrust the mighty from their throne,
. And gave the lowly grace.
. (chorus)
. Glory to our God, we sing,
. Glory to our Lord and King;
. Peace, goodwill with all abide
. This holy Christmas tide.
(MARY enters.)
MARY Favored one? That is how the angel addressed me.
. Although, I always try my best to be obedient,
. I am certainly NOT perfect. So why me?
. I remember Father talking about our family tree.
. We ARE some of King David’s descendants.
. But – so many others are, too. Yet - THIS –
. is happening to me. So now more than ever,
. I will need to lean on God's strength.
. What the angel told me was - very - incredible.
. NOT be afraid? I am carrying God's Son! It is
. difficult to grasp this. I am still a virgin.
. Yet, I know, all things are possible with God.
. (touches her stomach) Strange. I seem to feel
. His presence already... But, I am to give
. birth – to God’s Son – who will be King.
. And I - am to raise His Son – His HOLY Son?
(MARY shakes her head at the thought.) 3
MARY How could I ever be a worthy mother – to raise
. and nurture a Holy Being – when I myself
. make so many mistakes? HE will be teaching ME!
(MARY pretends to cradle a baby in her arms and
smiles tenderly down at the thought.)
MARY What will it be like to hold God in my very arms?
. To look down into the face of the King of Kings?
. (quickly looks up with realization.)
. I am just a girl - engaged to be married!
. To Joseph! And soon - he will find out that
. I am with child. How will he react? He could
. think that I had an affair, and have me put
. to death. Will Joseph believe me when
. I explain this? Who will believe this?
. WHO will EVER believe this? Well...
. (calmer) I’m sure God has everything planned,
. and will work everything out to His glory. Yes!
. As the angel said, nothing will be impossible
. with God... And - I am God's bondslave.
. I am willing to do as God wills. So I must
. have faith that God will work everything out.
(MARY goes to the nativity tableau and sits on the stool
right behind the manger, and freezes.)
SONG: "WHAT CHILD IS THIS?"
. - lyrics by William C. Dix
. music is traditional English melody, 16th C.
. (verse 1)
. What Child is this, who laid to rest,
. On Mary's lap is sleeping?
. Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
. While shepherds watch are keeping?
. (chorus)
. This, this is Christ the King,
. Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
. Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
. The Babe, the Son of Mary.
. 4
. (verse 2)
. Why lies He in such mean estate
. Where ox and ass are feeding?
. Good Christian, fear; for sinners here
. The silent Word is pleading.
. (chorus)
. This, this is Christ the King,
. Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
. Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
. The Babe, the Son of Mary.
. (verse 3)
. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
. Come, peasant, king, to own Him;
. The King of kings salvation brings,
. Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
. (chorus)
. This, this is Christ the King,
. Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
. Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
. The Babe, the Son of Mary.
(JOSEPH enters.)
JOSEPH When I first heard that Mary was pregnant,
. I was angered - beyond words. Of course,
. I never wanted to hurt her. That is why I was
. going to put her away secretly. Even if Mary
. HAD been unfaithful, I would not have wanted
. to see her put to death. I just wanted to
. SPARE her the public disgrace... And – spare
. myself, as well. I mean, who in their
. right mind would ever BELIEVE such a thing?
. God had to send an angel to – convince ME...
. But still, I have questions... and concerns.
. It's usually the father's job to protect his
. family. But, if this Child is to one day
. grow up – and save people from their sins –
. who am I to protect HIM? HE will be saving ME.
(JOSEPH pauses, daunted by the thought.)
. 5
JOSEPH And, how am I, a humble carpenter, supposed
. to raise God’s Son!? Again, a father
. wants to provide only the BEST for his family.
. (chuckling) I suppose God knows that better
. than I do, Him being our Heavenly Father.
. But what? Will I teach Him how to build
. with His hands, the One who has created
. the universe with just His word? I am not
. worthy for this. I have nothing to offer Him.
(JOSEPH tries to think what he could give God,
then realizes.)
JOSEPH I can only offer Him what God provides us.
. Hm, so I know there will be love.
. And wisdom. Is that enough? What is
. to come? What does this future LOOK like?
. We could be in danger as soon as Mary starts
. to show, which will be very soon now.
. (sighing) Of course, God is all-knowing,
. all-powerful, and all-sufficient...
. I must trust that He will guide, protect,
. and provide for us.
(JOSEPH goes to stand beside MARY and puts a hand
on her shoulder, then freezes.)
SONG: "FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN"
. - lyrics by Joseph Mohr,
. translated by John F. Young
. music by Franz Gruber
. For unto us a Child is born,
. unto us, a Son is given,
. unto us, a Son is given:
. and His name shall be called:
. Wonderful, Counselor,
. The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father,
. The Prince of Peace,
. The Everlasting Father,
. The Prince of Peace.
(INNKEEPER'S WIFE enters.) 6
WIFE Oh, when I heard about the decree that there
. was going to be a census taking, I thought,
. now here's a chance to make a bit of money.
. You know, people were going to be travelling
. this way, and would need a place to eat and
. stay the night. I never imagined in my
. wildest dreams that it would get this crazy.
. I had entire families squeezed into every
. little corner we owned. And then some!
. I found myself working 'round the clock,
. but I wasn't going to complain. Right?
. How many chances come along like THAT
. in your lifetime? (changing her tone)
. But then this one couple came along...
. The poor little thing was sitting
. on the back of a donkey, probably
. gritting her teeth from the pain. She was
. looking about ready to deliver any minute.
. I know! I've had a few of my own. My heart
. just went out to them. But what could I do?
. Even if they HAD money, we were completely
. out of room. Well, I just couldn't send them
. out into the cold, damp night like that.
. You know, something told me to do whatever
. I could. Then it hit me, they could use
. the stable. Sure, it was dirty and smelly,
. but the animals being there helped to heat up
. the place a little. They made do. I made
. certain of that. I check in on them whenever
. I have the chance... It's strange though,
. usually it's the mother needing to comfort
. the baby, but - THIS baby seems to bring comfort
. to all those around Him. Very curious.
. Newborn babies are always so precious, but
. there is something very different with this One.
. He seems to touch my heart in a way...
. that I can't describe. For years I have
. cluttered up my heart with unnecessary things.
. Well, this whole experience is making me
. search my heart, and question –
. with what should I fill my heart?
(INNKEEPER'S WIFE kneels beside the manger and freezes.)
. 7
SONG: "THOU DIDST LEAVE THY THRONE"
. – by Emily E.S. Elliott, Timothy R. Matthews
. (verse 1)
. Thou didst leave Thy throne
. And Thy kingly crown
. When Thou camest to earth for me;
. But in Bethlehem's home
. Was there found no room
. For Thy holy nativity
. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus
. There is room in my heart for Thee
. (verse 2)
. Heaven's arches rang
. When the angels sang
. Proclaiming Thy royal decree
. But of lowly birth
. Didst Thou come to earth,
. And in great humility
. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus
. There is room in heart for Thee!
. (verse 3)
. The foxes found rest,
. And the birds their next
. In the shade of the forest tree;
. But Thy couch was the sod,
. O Thou Son of God,
. In the deserts of Galilee
. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus
. There is room in my heart for Thee!
(SHEPHERD enters.)
SHEPHERD An amazing thing just happened. We were
. in the fields. Some of us were sleeping,
. and a few of us were watching the sheep,
. when - angels appeared! You know, you
. usually only hear about these kind of things.
. So, this was very unexpected. Shocking,
. in fact. First there was only one, but then -
. 8
(SHEPHERD pauses to motion up at the “sky.”)
SHEPHERD -a WHOLE bunch of them - filled the sky.
. Now I have to be honest, it was terrifying –
. at first. The angel told us not to be afraid
. because they had good news to share with us.
. With US – SHEPHERDS! Can you imagine? I mean,
. WE who are considered the lowlifes of the
. community! The dregs of society! Scum of
. the earth! Not many parents hope that their
. daughters wind up marrying a shepherd. But,
. God thought we were important enough to hear
. this great news, that the Christ-child, has
. just been born. This Baby, who is called
. Jesus, is the Lord and Savior for ALL people.
. This news means great joy and peace for all
. men. For everybody! Including us shepherds.
(SHEPHERD speaks quieter, and very sincerely.)
SHEPHERD So now - I've come to look for this Baby.
. I can tell you, if anybody needs saving,
. it's me. And I certainly wouldn't mind
. finding some of that peace and joy.
. We were told that we could find Him in
. Bethlehem, in - in the feeding trough of
. a stable... I suppose if He had been born
. in a palace, there would not be a hope
. in the world for me to ever get in those
. doors and meet this Jesus face to face.
. But being born in a stable... I kind of feel
. like - He's going to be able to understand me.
(SHEPHERD can be joined by other SHEPHERDS and
freeze in the pose in the nativity tableau.)
SONG: "HOW GREAT OUR JOY"
. - traditional German carol
. arranged by Hugo Jungst
. (verse 1)
. While by the sheep we watched at night
. Glad tidings brought an angel bright
. 9
. (chorus)
. How great our joy, Great our joy!
. Joy, joy, joy... joy, joy, joy!
. Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
. Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
. (verse 2)
. There shall be born, so he did say,
. In Bethlehem a Child today
. (chorus)
. How great our joy, Great our joy!
. Joy, joy, joy... joy, joy, joy!
. Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
. Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
. (verse 3)
. There shall the Child lie in a stall,
. This Child who shall redeem us all
. (chorus)
. How great our joy, Great our joy!
. Joy, joy, joy... joy, joy, joy!
. Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
. Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
. (verse 4)
. This gift of God, we'll cherish well
. That ever joy our hearts shall fill
. (chorus)
. How great our joy, Great our joy!
. Joy, joy, joy... joy, joy, joy!
. Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
. Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
(MAGI enters.)
MAGI As soon as I saw that star, I knew it was
. a sign of something extraordinary.
. In all of history, there has never been such
. a star. It was obvious that this signified
. the birth of a great King - a King of kings.
. 10
(MAGI goes into storytelling mode.)
MAGI As we followed the star in our journey,
. we found ourselves near Jerusalem, Israel's
. capital. We stopped there at the city's palace
. and met with a king - King Herod. We told him
. about the star, and that we were there
. to worship the King of the Jews. This greatly
. upset King Herod and all his men. You could
. see it in their faces. Herod left to discuss
. these matters with his men, and then returned
. to us for a private meeting. It was then
. that he asked us when we first saw the star.
. It had been about two years ago. It takes
. a long time to plan and pack for such a long
. journey. And our travels are slow because
. the costly load we carry is extremely heavy,
. such cargo as gold, myrrh, and frankincense.
. And still, I feel this King of kings deserves
. so much more than our meager gifts. Well,
. King Herod wanted us to find the Christ-Child,
. and then return to him to give a full report.
. But we were warned in a dream by God - not to
. return to Herod, so we plan to return
. to our own country by another way.
(MAGI shakes his head at the thought.)
MAGI Imagine, the leaders of this country
. being so upset and threatened by this
. tiny Baby. All of these events only confirm
. that this Child - is very important.
(MAGI speaks cryptically.)
MAGI This Child - will someday - shake the
. foundations of this world with a power
. so mighty. One can only wonder, and
. be compelled to learn more about the wisdom
. and magnitude of His purpose.
(MAGI and EXTRA MAGI can pose approach the manger
with gifts and freeze within the tableau.)
. 11
SONG: "AS WITH GLADNESS MEN OF OLD"
. - lyrics by William C. Dix
. music by Conrad Kocher
. (verse 1)
. As with gladness men of old
. Did the guiding star behold;
. As with joy they hailed its light,
. Leading onward, beaming bright,
. So, most gracious Lord, may we
. Evermore be led to Thee
. (verse 2)
. As with joyful steps they sped
. To the lowly manger bed,
. There to bend the knee before
. Him Whom heaven and earth adore,
. So, may we with willing feet
. Ever seek the mercy seat
. (verse 3)
. As they offered gifts most rare
. At that manger rude and bare,
. So may we with holy joy,
. Pure and free from sin's alloy
. All our costliest treasures bring,
. Christ, to Thee our heavenly King
. (verse 4)
. Holy Jesus, every day
. Keep us in the narrow way;
. And when earthly things are past,
. Bring our ransomed souls at last
. Where they need no star to guide,
. Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
(ANGEL enters.)
ANGEL I am a messenger of God. Many years ago,
. I made my eternal choice to serve Him...
. this Holy, Almighty God of love, Who was and is,
. and is to come. We honor God, and know Him well,
. but we do not know of future things.
. 12
(ANGEL’S voice softens.)
ANGEL We only learn of this as it unfolds.
. We have brought many messages to mankind
. over the years, but none as so joyous as now.
. We have seen the plight of men.
. We have witnessed their struggles.
. Even as they attempt to obey God,
. they still stumble, they still fall.
. But through their faith in God, they are
. allowed to continue in their walk with God.
. As we bring these messages of good news
. and glad tidings, we wonder how God
. will bring about this peace He has promised.
. (speaking with stronger voice again)
. We look forward to see how God will
. answer prayers. We look forward to see
. how God will save His people.
. We rejoice with the righteous.
. And we are blessed to gaze into the face of God,
. and to serve the God we adore.
. We praise His Holy Name on High, and
. we give glory to the newborn King of kings.
(ANGEL stands over the manger and looks down adoringly.)
SONG: "HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING" by Charles Wesley,
. Felix Mendelssohn, William H. Cummings
. (verse 1)
. Hark! the herald angels sing,
. "Glory to the newborn King;
. Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
. God and sinners reconciled!"
. Joyful all ye nations rise,
. Join the triumph of the skies,
. With the angelic host proclaim,
. "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
. (chorus)
. Hark! the herald angels sing,
. "Glory to the newborn King."
. (verse 2) 13
. Christ, by highest heaven adored;
. Christ, the everlasting Lord!
. Late in time behold Him come,
. Offspring of the Virgin's womb:
. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
. Hail the incarnate Deity
. Pleased as man with men to dwell,
. Jesus, our Emmanuel.
. (chorus)
. Hark! the herald angels sing,
. "Glory to the newborn King."
. (verse 3)
. Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!
. Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
. Light and life to all He brings,
. Risen with healing in His wings.
. Mild He lays His glory by,
. Born that man no more may die,
. Born to raise the sons of earth,
. Born to give them second birth.
. (chorus)
. Hark! the herald angels sing,
. "Glory to the newborn King."
(PERSON enters.)
PERSON Because of Jesus's birth,
. His perfect life here on earth,
. His death on the cross,
. And His resurrection,
. we can receive His free gift of
. forgiveness, new birth and eternal life.
. Many years ago, people witnessed
. all of these events. Now,
. we have a chance to witness the same:
. through creation, through God's word,
. and through the testimonies of believers.
(Pause, then address the congregation more personally.)
PERSON Have you met Jesus? Do you believe? 14
. Are you kneeling before Him at the manger,
. at the cross... at the throne of God?
(PERSON takes their places kneeling before the manger.)
SONG: "A COMMUNION HYMN FOR CHRISTMAS"
. - by Margaret Clarkson, Tom Fettke
. (verse 1) Gathered round Your table
. on this holy eve,
. Viewing Bethlehem's stable,
. we rejoice and grieve;
. Joy to see You lying
. in Your manger bed,
. Weep to see You dying
. in our sinful stead.
. (verse 2) Prince of Glory, gracing
. Heaven ere time began
. Now for us embracing
. death as Son of Man;
. By Your birth so lowly,
. by Your love so true,
. By Your cross most holy,
. Lord we worship You!
. (verse 3) Bethlehem's Incarnation,
. Calvary's bitter cross,
. Wrought for us salvation,
. by Your pain and loss;
. Now we fall before You,
. in this holy place,
. Prostrate we adore You,
. for Your gift of grace.
. (verse 5) Christmas Babe so tender,
. Lamb who bore our blame,
. How shall sinners render
. praises due Your name?
. Do Your own good pleasure
. in the lives we bring;
. in Your ransomed treasure
. reign forever King. Amen.