CONTENTS

A Night to Remember -- 11

The Best Gift of A11 ---- 18

He Came So Far----- ---- 31

Strange Way to Save the World ----- --- 39

Christ Is Born Medley -- 50

Heaven's Child - 60

Lead Me to Bethlehem ----- ----- 70

In This Holy Place ------ 77

Finale --- 84

Production Notes-- ------ 92

 3
Rejoice! Medley
Arranged by Russell Mauldin
lO with energy! (J=75)

to

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL

joice!
e

F(N.C.)

Arr' @ Copyright 1998 N-ew^SpringPutlishing (ASCAP), admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music publishing, Inc.,
365 Great Circle Road, Nashville TN 3122ti. All rights reserved.
FLEASE NorE: copylng.ol this music ls Nor covered by the ccLl licensel For ccLl information calt l-000-294-2446.
ff c*e','tf Dm
HOW GREAT OUR JOY!

gift of God

B}
D

How great

c*rr * et $cmznh
 '\---l

Great Joy, joy, joy!-

lnp .

D7-
F$
Gm GmFBb

Joy, joy,
f

Gm FBb
>=
>

Praise we the Lord in Praise we the Lord in

AE
Gm ?f Gm
Cm6
Eb
D7 Gm Bb iGm?fGm
 heav- en on

o3u, D7
>

!@ sfisht rit.

Gm7 Csus

ANGELS WE HAVE IMARD ON HIGH

Come to - hem, and see Him whose birth the

c e.
E E
 gels sing; Come,a-doreon

F C
F E
C

Christ the Lord, the bom King.

q F E? Dj D+D
E C trv
 F {PD7
LV
D+D Gm * e1_
E
AZ
c$

fl- &, De
ft.

Dm Gm Bbm6 Am7 DmC F Bb E CJ

E

73.lo

F(N.C.)
Re ioice!

Dm
^a*
 11
A Night to Remember
with O Holy Night
Words and Music b1,
MARK HARRIS & DON KOCH
Arranged by Russell Mauldin
NARRATOR: From the time his son was a toddler, this dad had always pulled the boy onto his
lap, opened the Bible and read John 3:16 this way: "For God so loved KirkthatHe gave His
only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him would not perish but have eternal life." He wanted
to make sure his son knew that God loved him individually.
By the time the boy had finished Kindergarten, he was reading on his own. One day the
dad began reading the verse, "For God so loved Kirk..."
"Aw, Dad, it doesn't say that," the little boy said. "My name isn,t there."
"Oh, yes it is," the dad replied. "Your name is there, and so is mine, and so is Mom's. Is
that cool, or what?"
This Christmas, (Music starts) if you know one thing for sure, know that God loves you
individually, and He had you in mind when He planned that night of all nights.

l@ Ligi,uy (J=szy

C2 Amll Bbz Aml1 Bbz Bb

aJ 'J- '\J/t J' a r_r - -\-ru *b8

mf
+

mf t"ADrES

The night was cold, they had trav- eled SO far;-

There at the man - ger they kneei at His feet,-

@ Copyright 1993 Paragon Music Corp. / Point Clear Music (ASCAP) / A-Knack-For-This Music iASCepl.
Paragon Music Corp. and Point Clear Music admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music publishing, Inc.,
365 Great Circle Road, Nashville TN 37228. All rights reserved.
PLEASE NoTE: copying of this music is NoT covercd by the ccLl ticense, For CCL! information cail 1-ooo-2a4-2446,
 Ma- ry and Jo - seph knew deep in their hearts
The ba - by Je - sus- so peace-ful - ly sleeps;

E E! Bb
A G F

V
This was the night the- a - wait - ed- Mes - si - ah- would
This is the night the- a - wait - ed- Mes - si - ah- has

G1_ F
BL A

mlo
a gift from bove.-
a gift of love.-

F
\J
so- bright, You filled
 (page ll, meas.5)

\_/
Made this a to- re - mem- ber.-

5)
Aml l Bb2@"r';l'mcas'

,l@
t4
l9

(page 11, mcas. 5)

Made this a night to- re -

(page 11, meas. 5)

C Amll Bbz Bb
 o HoLYNIGHT (John S. Dwight/AdolpheAdam)
26
^ ff,

knees,

Arr. @ Copyright 1998 New Spring Publishing (ASCAP), admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music publishing, Inc.,
365 Great Circle Road, Nashville TN 37229. All rights reserved.
night- when Christ was born!

G9 C

Oho ly night,

G e. FmajT F6 e. G(N.C.)
F E G

God's own- Son,-

You have

ho - ly night,
 18
The Best Gift of All
Words and Music by
RUSSELL MAULDIN & PAULA CARPENTER
Arranged by Russell Mauldin
NARRATOR: She went into the operating room with her hand clutching a small piece of paper.
Written on it was a scripture promise a friend had given her the night before.
"I'm sorry," the doctor said, "but you can't hold that in here."
(Music starts) "But it has my promise on it," she said.
The doctor gently took the paper from her and taped it to the back of her hand. After the
operation, it fell off and was discarded, but it was not lost. The promise*God's promise-had
been kept as she knew it would be, as it always is.
The promise God kept that first Christmas had been made centuries before. It had been
longed for, prayed for, waited for and at last fulfilled.

Lisrrt battad feel (J=el)

l@
4\,_.-_ r-J...-.1
>

rttl rl
mp mf
bea
I

e' -o JIIJ \--l

JJfJ

ba-,

t@

\-/ \-- /
@ Copyright 1990 Paragon Music Corp. (ASCAP), admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.,
365 Great Circle Road, Nashville TN 37228. All rights reserved.
PLEASE NOTE: Copying ol this music is NOT covered by the CCLI license. For CCLI information call 1-800-234-2/U6.
t
I
with twin - kle - ling There's a

FmajT

man - ger scene,- boughs of er - green,-

Dm7
 And ev - 'ry my heart-

bers- eas-ylaugh-ter,

D7(b9)
 dear old friends, fac - es and smiles, the danc- ing

Bbm(maj7) Bbm6 E
C

eyes of a child- re - mind me once-

best gift of all- sus,-

love knows no sea son or place;- You can

DL EI
F- G

see- Him in- light,-

l@,,0,,,*

obz ,H**i-9,

all through the

 looks through once a year,-

G.uo
FmajT
F

But the Light they find- as they

 ber- His prom- ise

e6
D

we'll know the

 D.S. al Coda
(page 22, nr,eas. 30)

That the

D.S. al Coila
Bb base 22' nzas. 30)
F EIIG

Scou
67

The best gift of

All through the year.-

Ocooa D!
Eb
 love knows no sea - son or place;-

You can see- Him the

D EI EL
F G Ab

light,- re - flect- ing on- each

 Though we cher - ish the bless- ings

Christ- mas, when His love seems es - pe - cial - ly

D70'
 31
He Came So Far
Words and Music by
RUSSELL MAULDIN & SUE C. SMITH
Arranged by Russell Mauldin
NARRATOR: He approached his teacher on the last day of school bearing a special gift-a
beautiful seashell.
"My, where did you get this?" the teacher asked.
"I walked all the way to the seashore to get it," he answered.
"All the way to the seashore, such a long way," the teacher responded.
(Music starts) "Why did you choose something that you had to travel so far to get?"
"Oh, but Teacher," the boy said, "part of the gift is the journey!"
The Christmas journey began on a King's throne an eternity away. He knew His ultimate
destination and how to get there and He knew that part of His gift to us that night was the
journey He made.

l@ n"ura reel (J=75)

o*, D G9 E+ E7
FI F Gfl

,I
?)l 1fJ
1
Am
Az
4
Am G fr?o, l@oi

mp MDIES

1. Mar -y -
and Jo seph were wear - v. The jour - ney was long for
2. How could we meas - ure the mer - cy our minds could- n't un - der-

Copyright 1998 New Spring Publishing (ASCAP), admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.,
@
365 Great Circle Road, Nashville TN 37228. All rights reserved.
PLEASE NOTE: Copylng ol this music ls NOT coveted by the CCLI license. For CCU lnformatlon calt 1-800-234-2iU6,
so in - to Beth - le - hem. Kings from the east had left
irust - ed to hu - man hands. Songs of the an- gels had

home be - hind, sure of the miles or what

filled the sky, they weren't as sweet as the

e. Dm C.
E CB
they would find. Yet the Child in the man - ger, a
Ba - by's cry. And when He had been cra - dled, and

e.
E GAm

@@

King so small, made the great - est jour - ney of all.-

to sleep,
rocked an-y one could touch Him and see._
J-
n3,,

vC
l-.---l
He came so far '
to so near to-

c. G9 e2
FFEE\-
e.
 7O
Love wourd not l":]-

c.
E

Him here to- ln spite of the

r_ J
___-_-_--l

e.
E
|_-J.-]

\____/
dis - tance from en to the hu - man heart,-

Emll Em7
 to come so He came so

L7
cI

1l@ (page 31, mcas.9)

lcru, C Am 4 (page 31, meas.9)

r\F$G2Geirc1

From splen-dor He came down to pov-er- ty. From a

throne He came to hu - mil- i- ty. ho - li- ness down to hu -

l@r
f---f
tar-
o.

E6 e. c9 e2 e.
G > >-E F E E
 so near to- Love would not

G.
B

un- til it brought Him here to-

92 e.
E E

ln spite of the from en to the

r__ J_-_------1

g
E
r-3_-.1
 |--;
hu - man heart to come so

L7
c*

He came so far. He came so far.

) {>

GC CmajT E CmajT
c
 39
Strange Way to Save the World
Words and Music by
DAVE CLARK, MARK HARRIS & DON KOCH
Arranged by Russell Mauldin
NARRATOR: They were young and in love, pledged to each other, planing to marry and
spend the rest of their lives together. Yet, already they had encountered suspicion, scorn and
uncertainty. Now, they were facing the birth of their first Child, just the two of them, alone in a
filthy stable.
(Music starts) From our safe vantage point centuries later, we expect them to carry it out
with no doubts or questions. Yet, at that moment, they must have wondered, "What could God
be thinking?" and what would happen next.

@ Ho*irrg 8's (J=11+)

Gsus

I'M sure he must have been sur- prised

(To think of how it) could have been,.

Copyright 1993 John T. Benson Publishing Co./Paragon Music Corp-/Point Clear Music(ASCAP/A-Knack-For-This Music/First Verse Music(ASCAp).
John T. Benson Publishing Co., Paragon Music Corp. and Point Clear Music admin. by Brentwood-Bensotr Music Publishing, Inc.,
365 Great Circle Road, Nashvitle TN 37228. All rights rcserved.
PLEASE NOTE: Copylng ot thls muslc ls NOT covered by the CCLI tlcense. For CCLI lnlormatton cat! l-8OO-29+2tU6.
 where the road had tak - en him,-
Je - sus had come as He de - served,-
C

'Cause nev - er in a
There would have been no

would he- have of Beth le - hem;-

-
no low - ly herds at His birth;-

at- the man - ger, he

knew- the rea - son love
saw with his- the sage from
mes- the
had to reach- And as he held the
G Am

t@t@

an - gel come And Jo - seph said.-

Sav - ior in he must have thought, "WhY
DL Fadd9
G

me?"- ['m just a

CHOIR,warmly
mf

"why- me?" Sim - ple man-

trade. Him,- ru - lers in- the

C>
U
trade. ru - lers in- the

e. 9.2 c.
G E

Why here,-

\\-------/
Ooo-

Gsus G C
her?-

She's just
All men
 Now I'm- not one_ to sec-ond guess

Ooo

Fm6
Ab

soY' But this

An - gels have- say.

{e>

Ano
FI
strange way to save the world.

(page 39, meas.9)

2. To think
(page 39, nwas. 9)

e" (page 39, meas.9)

E
Strange- way,
 Now I'm- not one- to sec-ond guess what

Fm6
Ab

an - gels have- to But this

\-/ e
An - gels have- to
 to save the world,

strange way, such a

strange way to save the
 50
Christ Is Born Medley
Arranged by Russell Mauldin
NARRATORz (Music starts) The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and His coming
has made all the difference in our lives!

@ cently (J=86)
eb EL
e,b # abz obm6

Wth excitement 1J=rrr1

nb D7

I
gF
l@' sba EcTF

HARK! THE I{ERALD ANGELS SING (Charles Wesley/Felix Mendelssohn)

f Incelebration!

ald an- gels slng,_ "Glo - ry

nf C
3c i Am srz

Copyright 1998 New Spring Publishing (ASCAP), admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.,
Arr. @
365 Great Circle Road, Nashville TN 37228. All rights reserved.
PLEASE NOTE: Copying ot thls muslc ls NOT covered by the CCLI license. For CCU lnlormation call 1-800-23+2tU6.
new- bom King; Peace on earth, and mer - cy mild,-

3cF E E G2 q.
A C BB

God and sin - ners rec - on - ciled!"

Am$ c 9c7
\J
c(N.c.)

na - tions, rise,- Join the of the skies;-

trF 3 c c(N.c.) F trF 5 C

With th'an - gel - ic host pro-claim,

DDTGmDGm \- c_ E
Bb A

the her - ald an - gels sing,

DDTGmDGm

"Glo- ry- to the new- bom King.

cs E
A
E
acTF GmiE Bb E
c
GO, TELL IT ON TIm MOUNTAIN (TFaditionat Spirituat)
54
4t

O - ver the hills and ev-'ry tell it on the

*c BF

t@

Je - sus Christ is born. Go tell it on the

BLm6
Db

U
moun- tain.- Go tell it on the

Bb (.
Eb E
> >

_l
 '\/
Go tell it on the moun - tain, O - ver the hills and

tain,- That

Em Cm6
Eb

Je - sus Christ is born. Go

$ oz$nz
 t@

Go tell it on the moun - tain.-

O COME, ALL YE FAITIIFT'L (John Francis Wade)

 all ye bright- hosts of

L Dm# B G C AE fi F

c6# g.!o
A
 (,
n
come, rtet us a _ dore
\'r-#/
Him._

_(-4
F=FFi -r.

\r-.-.-//

O come, let us a - dore Him,-

FFFi,
an - gels, He is born!

Christ the Lord!

I

ioo
t

Heaven's Child
Words and Music by
JOEL LINDSEY
Arranged by Russell Mauldin
NARRATOR: He opened His eyes and tried to focus-a new world of sensations assaulting
His senses. Hands were touching the human skin that protected His wildly beating heart. He
inhaled the pungent odor of animals with every breath. And the sounds: His own cries, Hil
mother's soothing words, the bleating and lowing of animals and off inthe (Music starts)
distance, a song-somehow vaguely familiar. Stars glittered in the black Bethlehem sky-so
this is what they look like from earth. So this is what is felt like to be human.

l@ cenuy 1J=oo; E BL
B'
EL
F
Bb Bb

*! \-l=--

@ Copyright 1995 Paragon Music Corp. (ASCAP), admin, by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.,
365 Great Circle Road, Nashville TN 37228. All righh reserved.
pLEASE NOTE: Copylng ol thls mustc is NOT covered by the CCLI license. For CCLI inlormation call 1'800-234-2tU6.
 Hard- ly what she pic- tured pro- phe- cies- of old.

EI, BI
D Abz $ c*r.ru,

seemed al - most im - pos - si- ble- to think be But

Eb F Bb E
A

as dered in her heart, she knew:

Cm7 BT Ehz
D F
In an earth- en sta- ble glo - ry meek and mild.

Ooo-
-,
bbD
Bt
Lrz
B Gm7 Fsus

Jo - seph wept with won - der

Ooo --
 smiled, be- cause they knew this was Heav - en's

-_ Be- cause they knew.

Ebm'l AL B}
GbF

I@

an - gels must have missed Him as they sang Him to sleep. But they
F EI
Bb
Bb Bb EI
Bb D
 \-/
mar - veled at the prom- is - es- this Ba- by came to keep.

EL B!
D Abz $ c,rr,u,

Fa - ther must have felt at once great sad-ness and great joy,

EbF Bb iGm

AS He watched His lit - tle ba - by Boy. For, this was

Cm7 E} Ehz
D F
Heav - en's Child.

meek and mild.

Ooo
EL Ei
G

Jo - seph wept with won - der Ma- ry sweet-ly

u----J
Ooo-
Bb#
 OJ'T
smiled, be- cause they knew was Heav - en's

Be- cause they

A}
Gb

but still they wished the world would see that

-t
Jo- seph's pride and joy;
Bh2
Gm EbmajT Gm
D
In an earth - en glo - ry meek

8,2 E G
A
Jo - seph wept with won - der Ma- ry sweet-ly

mf---___/
Ooo-

be- cause they knew

\ ----.--- \__//

Ooo
Btr3 Ri
 was Heav

e-
G
Am Dm7

Heav - en's child.

D
C

Bbl3(#l l)
70
Lead Me to Bethlehem
Words and Music by
JOHNATHAN CRIJMPTON
Arranged by Russell Mauldin

NARRATOR: The directions the angel gave took a group of bleary-eyed shepherds to the spot
where they would encounter the King of kings and be the first to worship Him. Can you hear
them saying, "Let's go now and see what this is all about?" Can you see them wandering the
back alleys of Bethlehem until they find Him? (Music starts) Will you join as they journey to
worship Emmanuel, God with us, our Savior?

t@ s*i"* reer (J=84) IJ=ji

\;
Lead me to Em- man u-el star of star so

e8* c7
"u

@ Copyright 1998 New Spring Publishing (ASCAP), admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.,
365 Great Circle Road, Nashville TN 37228. All rights reserved.
PLEASE NOTE: Copylng of thls muslc ls NOT covered by the CCLI llcense. For CCLI lntormatlon call 1-8OO-234-2tU6.
 {

rJl
un-to us a Child is on this ho - ly

V
night. He is God with usr- Em - man-u- el,-

lead me to the

E F
Bb E
C A C
 !@I@

of Beth- le - hem.
AsI
When I

trav- eled down road on my Jour - ney to the

bow be - fore One that they call the Prince of

BI
F

child, man - ger where He lay so-

Peace frank- in- cense and myrrh as my

E7- Fm6
A A!

-i.
 73

low- ly, meek and mild. I can't wait-

of fer - ing, Cho - sen One,-

G9

see His face- and praise His dear name and to sing hal - le -
Son of God- in all_
_His
roy -al ty. I will sing with the

3 *Bb

I@t@ CHOIR
(naSe 74 meas. 6)

heav'n and earth pro - claim.

lu - jah to the

(page 70, mcas. 6)

c7
'* "u
King. So, lead me to Em-man - ts-

L-?
For un :
I

star of won- der, star so bright. to

,JI
g1_
B

us a Child is up - on this ho - ly

Gm6
A7
Bb
 /5

is the great AM. So, lead me to the

G
BL

Sav- ior,- o_ star of Beth - le - hem. Lead me

D6 D7 C7
76
58

to Em-man-u - el. Lead me to Em-man - u

lead me to the Sav- ior,- Beth- le

G.^G Am7 D7
BT-D
 l

77
In This HoIy Place
Words and Music by
TONY WOOD & RUSSELL MAULDIN
Arranged by Russell Mauldin
NARRATOR: A little boy leams that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. A
woman holds on to the promise God made and then fulfilled through His gift. A teacher
discovers the best gift is the one that requires the most of the giver. Mary and Joseph received
God's precious Gift with open arms, and hearts of faith, despite the circumstances.
(Music starts) And since that night, every heart that has been open and willing, has found
peace, joy, love, hope and eternal life because of Jesus. Have you opened your heart to Him?
Will you accept His gift tonight?

@t c"r,uy d=t+l
EL
c

l@!",

tl
). J1
-4

Reverently

@ Copyright 1998 New Spring (ASCAP), admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music publishing, Inc.,
Brblishing
365 Grcat Circle Road, Nashville TN 37ZZg. All rights reserved.
PLEASE NOTE: Copylng of thls muslc ls NoT covered by the CCL| tlcense. For CCLI lnlormailon catt l-ooo-2g+2/u6.
 to one des ti-na-tion,

- 'ry- bod -y gath - ered close - ly for a

FmajT EmutrtrA7

I@

in their si- lent rev-'rence, their hearts knew it was true. this
ho - ly place, we meet our Mak- er face to face.-

G
F

And know that for heav- en's grace-

n
G.ug
A7
'E
bt
Through the months and sea- sons we come ev- 'ry year,
look in - to the cra- dle, and wor- ship our dear Lord.

G7 E2
G

ly place,- we' meet our Mak- er face to face.-

And know that on- ly hope

tu
IE A7
0t
Y@
o\----.----l

this ho - ly place.-

In this ho - ly place, we meet our Mak- er

And know that this world's

 ---

on- ly hope for heav-en's grace- en-ters in

.o.

D &r*Y H
84
Finale
(The Best Gift of All
with loy to the world)
words and Music by
RUSSELL MAULDIN & PAULA CARPENTER
Arranged by Russell MauWin
@ wir*, energy! (J=96)

Copyright 1990 Paragon Mu{c Corp. (ASCAP), admin. by Brentwood-Bensoo Mu.ic

@ pirblffi Inc.,
365 Great Circle Road, Nashville TN 3722g. All rights reserved.
PLEASE NOTE: copylng ol thls music is NOT covered by the CCLI ticensej For CcLt
lnlormation calt l-goo-2g4-2,tu6.
 85

love knows no sea son or place;- You can

on- each face.- Though we

BbmT
cher - ish the bless- ings

all-
 Suddenly faster (J=140)

all through the

Bbm6 ^.
wt F2
c Sud.denly faster
Jo ice! Em - man

t@ JOY TO TI{E WORLD! (Isaac Watts / Handel)

Arr. @ Copyright 1998 New Spring Publishing (ASCAP), admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.,
365 Great Circle Road, Nashville TN 37ZZB. All rights reserved.
 Dm7DP7 I

earth re - celve

F ffo*z E"
C
G
B
c +c

\J
heart- pre - pare- Him- room,-
- n
-

I
 vv
J
And- na - ture-

.-j
-J
And- heav'n,
 Lord

Je - sus!
.,,,-\

s!
92
Production Notes
by Rhonda Frazier

Cast
Narrator
Choir
Male Solo
Female Solo
Father
Kirk, a boy 5 or 6 years old
A doctor (male orfemale)
An older female
A family (father, mother, and two or three children-various ages)
A teacher (male orfemale)
A male student
Mary
Joseph
Baby Jesus
Angel or angels
Two or three shepherds
Wisemen
Children or young teens

Stasine
The choir should be set to the back of center stage to allow for movement across the
stage. Choose one side of the stage for the modern day/shepherd scenes and the other
for the stable scene. The stable scene will be the bigger of the two sets, so plan
accordingly. Position the narrator in front of the choir to one side.
Each of the scenes can be accomplished with simple props to set the mood or they can
be planned out more elaborately. The following set descriptions will give you the bare
essentials each scene will need and ideas for expanding them if you desire-

Pantomime and Drama

The narration can be brought to life by having actors pantomime the dialogue and action
as the narrator reads. In order for this to be effective, actors will need to know their
narrated section very well, so they are moving as the narrator reads, not just responding
to what he or she just said. You might want to consider actually having the actors say
the dialogue as noted in the narration. If you choose to do this, make sure the scenes are
miked adequately and that the actors and narrator have enough rehearsal time to make
the transitions smoothly.

Rejoice Medley
Choir enters from back and sides to fill choir during the introduction.
 93
A Night to Remember
As narration begins, bring up lights on a small living room scene-an arm chair, side
table, lamp and Bible with a bookmark at John 3:16. The "dad" should be seated,
leaning forward to play with his "son" who is occupied on the floor with apluzzle, car or
truck. As the narrator says, "He wanted to be sure..." the dad motions for the boy to
come and sit with him on his lap. He takes the Bible and pantomimes the dialogue as
the narrator reads. As the narrator says, "Is that cool...," the dad and son embrace and
continue reading. (You may want to make this set larger if you will also be using it as
the Christmas living room scene for "Best Gift of All." )
Cross fade lights on the living room and choir as the narration ends.

The Best Gift of AII

Establish the operating room scene with a white drape background. Have a doctor in
surgical scrubs and an older female patient dressed in a hospital gown. A hospital
gurney is not necessary, just have the patient lie on a table. Cover her with a white
sheet. The "small piece of paper" should be visible from the audience. Have a desk
tape dispenser hidden on the table, so the doctor can tape the paper on the patient's hand
as the narration is read. Lights fade as narrator reads, "After the operation...."

During the song, let the audience look in on a family Christmas celebration. This scene
will be tied to the previous narration when the older woman from the operating room
joins her family for the Christmas festivities. Other characters in the scene include a
father, mother and two or three children of various ages.
The setting is a family living room decorated for Christmas. Include a Christmas tree,
wrapped presents and a nativity set large enough to be seen by the audience. Position
the nativity set in the center of the living room. Children can wrap presents or decorate
the tree. Mom or dad can bring in a tray of cookies. The "grandmother," i.e,, older
female from operating room scene, joins the family during the first chorus. She is
greeted with hugs from the children.

As the song progresses the grandmother gathers the family around the nativity set. They
pantomime the telling of the Christmas story. Have them handle the pieces of the
nativity and focus on Baby Jesus, the best gift of all. Fade lights on scene at the end of
the second chorus.

He Came So Far
Use a rolling chalkboard as the backdrop for the schoolroom scene. Write on the
chalkboard, "Have a Great Summer!" Characters are a teacher and a male student. The
student should stand beside the teacher with the seashell behind his back. He presents it
to the teacher as prompted by the narration. Fade lights at, "The Christmas journey
began..."
tsring lights up on choir at "...part of His gift to us that night...."
For a more detailed schoolroom, consider using a desk for the teacher and having tables
and chairs or desks so other students can be a part ofthe scene'
 94
Strange Way to Save the World
As the music starts and the narrator reads, "From our safe vantage point..." bring lights
up on Mary and Joseph in a stable with a manger and a baby. Joseph and Mary interact
with the baby and with each other. (Consider using a new mother and her
ffint to play
the roles of Mary and Baby Jesus.) Lights remain up on scene for ..Strang" wuy to
Save the World."

Position the soloist at center stage. Bring lights up on choir at chorus, measure 29.

Christ Is Born Medley

Fade lights on nativity at the end of this narration.

At stage opposite the nativity, bring lights up on shepherds and an angel as choir begins
"Hark! the herald angels sing..." Shepherds should respond in fear and then in awe to
the "song" of the angels. Lights fade at measure 36. Props could include staffs
cardboard sheep, papier-mdch6 rocks and greenery.
Have children and young teens join in presenting "Go Tell It On the Mountain,' at
measure 39. Have them enter from the back of the church carrying small banners or
colorful streamers. (Crepe paper works well and can be held in the hand or can be
attached to small dowel rods.) They can skip lightly down the aisles and sing along
with the choir.
At measure 65 have the children with streamers fill the stage and gently wave them back
and forth. Divide the children into two groups. At measure 78 have half the children
bow down. At measure 81 have the remaining half bow down. (Depending onyour
stage, you may want to scatter the two groups or you may actually want them to be on
dffirent sides of the stage.) Children remain bowed until measure 90. Have them stand
as choir sings "He is born!" At measure 94,"Lord!" have children raise both
arms over
their heads. Children exit.
You may want to consider having the congregation sing along on the medley. If you
choose to do this, bring up the house lights during the introduction and.u. ih"
congregation to stand. Bring the house lights down at measure 62 andseat the audience.
The shepherd scene and the children's participation will work even if you choose
to let
the congregation sing along.

Heaven's Child
As the narrator begins, bring up lights on the stable scene with Mary, Joseph and Baby
Jesus. Lights remain up during song.
Solo takes center stage. Soften lights on the stable scene. Fade lights on stable at
end
of song.

Lead Me to Bethlehem
Light the shepherd scene with angel. As the music starts, the shepherds begin their
journey to the stable.
 95
Have shepherds cross the stage (or wander down the aisles, depending on the size of
your church). Bringup the lights on the stable as they approach. At the second chorus
have the wisemen enter from the back of the church or from a side door and make their
way to the stable. They should be in place at the stable when verse two begins (measure
2i, second time). Lights down on stable at the end of the song.

In This Holy Place

Light the stable scene and have the modern actors (the dad and son, the patient and the
teacher/student) step into the manger scene as the narrator refers to them. When the
narrator says, "Mary and Joseph" the modern characters should kneel. If your stable
scene will not accommodate the modern characters and the shepherds and wisemen,
have the shepherds and wisemen exit the scene at the end of "Lead Me to Bethlehem."

Soften the lights on the stable. At the end of the song, bring the lights completely down,
but have the actors stay in position for prayer.
.,In This Holy Place" sets the stage well for your pastor or narrator to give a short
message and a call to salvation. Following prayer, move directly to the Finale. Actors
can leave the stable.

Finale
Cue the congregation to stand and join in singing "Joy to the World" at measure 41.
Cue the congregation out at measure 62.