God Did Not Wait
This Christmas Pageant was conducted during the Sunday Morning Worship Service on December 8, 2024.
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Pageant Introduction:
Although it is still Advent, a time of waiting, our loving God does not wait to offer us unconditional love and a lifetime of Christmas joy. We celebrate that joy today.
Our service is gathered around a Christmas poem written by Madeleine L’Engle. It is entitled, “First Coming” and will be read by one of our narrators. Listen for the pieces of this poem as it is woven throughout the story that we tell this Sunday. Close your eyes and listen to it carefully for the first time:
He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.
He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine.
He did not wait till hearts were pure.
In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
He came, and his Light would not go out.
He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
he came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Hymn: O How Shall I Receive Thee?
Narrator 1:
We have waited, anticipated and now Christmas is here! Look now… an angel appears and tells the virgin Mary that she is blessed. She will have a son and will name him Jesus. He will be the Savior of this broken world.
Hymn: O Come, O Come Immanuel
Action:
Mary looks up, kneels. Angel enters and puts one hand on Mary’s head. Angel leaves. Mary raises both hands up then puts both hands on her tummy. (Music can play over the action with volume down when the narrator speaks.)
Angel:
Don’t be afraid, Mary. I am Gabriel — a messenger from God. Rejoice, Mary! Be glad. You have found favor with God. Listen carefully; this is news is important to the whole world! A baby will begin growing inside you and you will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will last forever and ever.”
Narrator 1:
He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace
He came when the Heavens were unsteady
and prisoners cried out for release.
Narrator 2:
“In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken. Everyone went to their own hometown to register. So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.”
Solo Song: How Far Is It to Bethlehem?
Action:
Mary and Joseph begin their journey to Bethlehem. Walking through the aisles of the church, pretending to knock on doors until they reach the manger at the front of the church.
Innkeeper:
Mary and Joseph had a burden to bear
They carried a blessing
For the whole world to share
Mary and Joseph had a long ways to go
Walking to Bethlehem
Long years ago
Joseph’s dear Mary was pregnant and tired
They searched for a safe house
A bed was required
Mary’s dear Joseph approached every door
No room in the inns
So he asked one time more
Mary and Joseph found a bed on the hay
Where the animals welcomed
Sweet Jesus that day
— RGI
Narrator 1:
He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine.
Narrator 2:
“While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Hymn: What Child Is This?
Action:
Mary lies down next to the manger, with her back to the congregation. Joseph runs back and forth, bringing a new towel or pillow each time. The last time he runs to Mary, he stops and kneels down, cradling the baby doll and gently places it in the manger.
Hymn: Away in a Manger
Narrator 1:
He did not wait till hearts were pure.
In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
He came, and his Light would not go out.
Narrator 2:
“And there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Just 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, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
Action:
The shepherds lead in the sheep and settle to one far side of the manger scene. The angels come running in and then slowly lift up their hands high towards the sky and pretend to sing. The shepherds shield their eyes from the brightness and slowly get down on their knees. The sheep huddle in close to the shepherds.
Hymn: Angels We Have Heard on High
Narrator 1:
He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.
Narrator 2:
“And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men
on whom His favor rests!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Action:
The angels gesture toward the manger and lead the shepherds over, then stand in the back watching the scene. The shepherds and the sheep come close to the manger and bow to the baby Jesus.
Shepherd: (Poem by Christina Rossetti)
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
Narrator 2:
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger. After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Narrator 1:
The shepherds were scared and the sheep were surprised, but that did not stop them from singing out loud on that Holy Night:
Song: Sheep Song (Children sing the “Sheep Song,” by Carol Sack)
I'm just...a little sheep, I always lose my way;
I need someone to help me, so I won't go astray.
The baby in the manger, asleep so quietly,
He'll be my lovin' Shepherd, he'll take good care of me. BAAAAAAAA!
Action:
The assembled shepherds and angels can help the baby sheep sing. Then they hold hands and file out towards the back of the church.
Hymn: The First Noel
Narrator 1:
We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Narrator 2:
“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them.”
Please join with us in singing, “Joy to the World!”
Hymn: Joy to the World