The Joy of Christmas

A very easy to put together musical using Pantomime with Narration may be used for Christmas or Easter Ages recommended Teen - Adult

Cast: Mary, Joseph, People (Guests, Travelers, Pharisees) Angels, Tax Collector, Boy Jesus, Adult Jesus, Samaritan Woman, Disciples, Blind Man, the Blind Mans Parents, Lazarus, Martha & Mary, Judas, Simon Peter) Readers stand to the side of the platform. The center of the platform is left open for those who will be pantomiming. Pantomime: Acting is done before the reading of the Scripture in each scene. Actors will either freeze on stage or exit after the Scripture has been Read by the narrator. Selected Music: Play music softly while the actors pantomime. Suggested Props: Biblical clothes, large table and chairs for disciples, water pitchers, baby doll, sheep headpieces, staff for shepherds, well, large water pot, bottle perfume, loaf bread, silver cup, play dough, lanterns, toy sword, artificial trees, cross for display.

Cast all enter the market to do shopping, exchange greetings carrying baskets and vessels. Music is playing in the background. Cast: Hark How the Bells (exit with exception of scene one characters) Pantomime Scene 1: (Mary & Angel) Mary receives a visit from Gabriel, an angel. (Mary will enter and sit on a chair. Angel will appear to her. She will act startled. Mary will jump up and face the angel, but step back as if frightened. She will cover her face. The angel will stretch out hand to Mary slightly touching her arm. Mary looks up distressed looking. Mary holds out both hands in bewilderment as if saying, How can this be? When the angel leaves, Mary will shake her head back and forth, get up and pace back and forth wringing her hands; then, she will kneel by chair in prayer. (Mary will freeze in place as Reader narrates) Male Reader: In the sixth month of Elizabeths pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgins name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: Good morning! Youre beautiful with Gods beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you. She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured

her, Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called Son of the Highest. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacobs house forever no end, ever, to his kingdom. Mary said to the angel, But how? Ive never slept with a man.35 The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God. And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.And Mary said, Yes, I see it all now: Im the Lords maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say. Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:26-38) Solo Suggestion: Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin Pantomime Scene 2: (Tax collector, travelers, Mary, Joseph) Travelers are going and coming from Bethlehem to pay their taxes. Jesus is born. (Tax collector will be seated at a table; He will look like royalty. Travelers head to Bethlehem be taxed. Mary and Joseph will travel up the isle to be taxed. Joseph will carry a large bag of items they are taking. Mary will walk slowly beside her donkey. They will get in line where a few other people just arrived waiting to be taxed. People pay their taxes and exit one by one. Mary gets tired waiting in line and Joseph finds her a chair to sit down. (Mary, Joseph, and Tax collector freeze as Reader narrates) Female Reader: About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quinines was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, Davids town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiance, who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hotel. (Luke 2:1-7) Solo Suggestion: Emmanuel-Hallowed Manger Ground by Chris Tomlin; When Love Was Born by Mark Shultz; Rose of Bethlehem Pantomime Scene 3: (Shepherds, Angels, Mary, Joseph) The angels share the new birth to the Shepherds watching the sheep in the field. Shepherds are in the field watching the sheep. They carry staffs and sit around a campfire. Angels appear to them from a distance. The shepherds look up and one points to the angels. They are startled and fall on the ground and cover their faces. One angel holds outstretched arm and speaks the words Dont be afraid. The second angel hold outstretched arm and says I bring you good news. The first angel says A Savior has been born. The shepherds jump up and look in wonder at each other. They run off the stage and say to several people in the audience, Jesus is born! As soon as the shepherds leave, Mary and Joseph enter and sit at the manger with Baby Jesus. The shepherds return to visit Baby Jesus and each take a bow before the Baby and then exit. (Mary and Joseph freeze as Reader narrates) Male Reader: There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, Gods angel stood among them and Gods glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, Dont be afraid. Im here to announce a great

and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in Davids town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what youre to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing Gods praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. Lets get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us. They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way theyd been told! When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived. When they finished everything required by God in the Law, they returned to Galilee and their own town, Nazareth. There the child grew strong in body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on him. (Luke 2:8-21, 39, 40) Solo Suggestion: Born in Bethlehem by Third Day Pantomime Scene 4: Jesus is found in the temple. (Boy Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Travelers) Mary and Joseph travel with a suitcase and the boy Jesus. Other people are traveling at the same time all carrying backpacks, duffle bags or suitcases. They all arrive on stage to where there is a market taking place. People are shopping and greeting one another. Tables with items of food, baskets, and fruit are on the some tables. People are putting things in baskets to eat later. They wave goodbye to one another and exit. People return and go to sit down as the Boy Jesus comes and open a scroll and begins to preach waving his arms. He puts the scroll on a lectern. Mary and Joseph return and pick up a suitcase and leave to return looking all over the stage for Jesus. Mary calls, Jesus, Jesus. Mary spots Jesus and points pulling at Josephs sleeve. They hurry to the temple. When Jesus sees them, he stops. Mary walks over to Jesus and puts out both hands. Jesus shakes his head back and forth and points to the Heavens. Then he waves to the people and walks away to travel home with Mary and Joseph. The people then reluctantly get up and leave. Female Reader: Every year Jesus parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up as they always did for the Feast. When it was over and they left for home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didnt know it. Thinking he was somewhere in the company of pilgrims, they journeyed for a whole day and then began looking for him among relatives and neighbors. When they didnt find him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for him. The next day they found him in the Temple seated among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. The teachers were all quite taken with him, impressed with the sharpness of his answers. But his parents were not impressed; they were upset and hurt. His mother said, Young man, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been half out of our minds looking for you.He said, Why were you looking for me? Didnt you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father? But they had no idea what he was talking about. So he went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly, deep within herself. And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people. (Luke 2: 41-52)

Solo Suggestion: The Potters Hand by Helen Baylor, Carol of the Bells Pantomime Scene 5: The miracles of Jesus. (Jesus, Mary, Guests, Bride). The bride is serving cups to the guests. She pours water until it is all gone. The bride goes to get Mary who is talking with guests and motions for her to come and look at the jugs. Mary peers inside and picks up one after another shaking them and looking inside. She even holds jugs upside-down. She then goes to Jesus and whispers in his ear. Jesus walks back with Mary to look at the empty jars. Jesus points to the one of the guests who gets a jug of water and comes and pours water in all the bottles. Next Mary pours some in cups and expresses surprise. She gives one to a guest who licks his lips and rubs his stomach. He gives the same cup to another guest and eventually all the guests pass the same cup around and take a sip. The guests then go to each other sharing this good news. They then all go to Mary, and stand in a line to get their own cup. After Mary fills up a cup for each guest, the guests leave one by one. The bride runs up to Jesus and falls down to thank him. He puts his hand on her head. (Bride, Mary and Jesus freeze in place as reader narrates) Male Reader: (Water to wine) Three days later there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus mother was there. Jesus and his disciples were guests also. When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus mother told him, Theyre just about out of wine.Jesus said, Is that any of our business, Motheryours or mine? This isnt my time. Dont push me. She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, Whatever he tells you, do it.Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus ordered the servants, Fill the pots with water. And they filled them to the brim. Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host, Jesus said, and they did. When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didnt know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But youve saved the best till now! This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:1-11) Pantomime Scene 6 Jesus Offers the Samaritan Woman Living Water (Jesus, Samaritan Woman, Disciples) Woman walks up isle carrying a large pitcher. She heads toward the well on the platform. A couple ladies see her and point whispering making distasteful expressions. They back off and walk away from her a distance. Woman puts down her large jug to rest. Jesus walks by and sees her. He stops by where she is sitting and asks, May I have a seat? The woman gestures to the empty place beside her. Jesus looks at her and says That water will make you thirsty again. I can give you living water that you will never thirst again. The woman looks surprised. She holds out her jug to Jesus who takes it and puts it down. Jesus say, The water that I have to give is from the fountain of Life The woman holds out a cup she has in her pocket. She hands it to Jesus. Jesus takes the cup and puts it down. Jesus holds out his hand to the woman. She takes it and starts crying. She knees at Jesus feet weeping. Jesus says, You do not need to wait any longer for this living water. Jesus closes His eyes and looks up to heaven. At that time the disciples come by and gaze in wonder at Jesus. They point to the woman and look at each other. Jesus raises His head and looks at them as the woman gets up smiling. She runs off to tell others and catches up with the woman who passed her and ignored her. She acts excited

and points to Jesus. They listen and all exit. Jesus looks at the disciples, holds outstretched arms and puts his hand on each shoulder as they walk off stage. Female Reader: (Living Water) When Jesus passed through Samaria. He came into a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon. A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, Would you give me a drink of water? (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.) The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink? (Jews in those days wouldnt be caught dead talking to Samaritans.) Jesus answered, If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.The woman said, Sir, you dont even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this living water? Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?Jesus said, Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirstnot ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.The woman said, Sir, give me this water so I wont ever get thirsty, wont ever have to come back to this well again! He said, Go call your husband and then come back. I have no husband, she said.Thats nicely put: I have no husband. Youve had five husbands, and the man youre living with now isnt even your husband. You spoke the truth there, sure enough.Oh, so youre a prophet! Well, tell me this: Our ancestors worshiped God at this mountain, but you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place for worship, right? The Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.The woman said, I dont know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, well get the whole story. I am he, said Jesus. You dont have to wait any longer or look any further.Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked. They couldnt believe he was talking with that kind of a woman. No one said what they were all thinking, but their faces showed it. The woman took the hint and left. In her confusion she left her water pot. Back in the village she told the people, Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah? And they went out to see for themselves. (John 4: 4-30) Pantomime Scene 7 Jesus Heals a Blind Man (Blind man, Jesus, Parents) Blind man is groping around and calling out, Jesus, Jesus! Jesus begins walking his way. Blind calls out again, Jesus, Jesus! Jesus comes to the blind man and put his hand on his shoulder. The blind is calm. Jesus takes some play dough and rolls it up and puts it on the blind mans eyes. After a few seconds, the blind man pulls it off and jumps up and down calling, I can see! I can see! A Pharisee sees the whole thing and gets the parents who are standing on the side of the platform. They stand trembling before the Pharisee. The Pharisee takes them by the arms and walks them to the blind man. He gestures toward the blind man and the parents shrug holding both out as if in a shrug gesture while shaking their head. The Pharisee is disgusted and walks off and the parents hug their son. They all bow to thank Jesus. (Freeze in place as Reader narrates) Male Reader: (Blind man) Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. Jesus spit in the dust, made a clay paste with the saliva, rubbed the paste on the blind mans eyes, and said, Go, wash at the Pool of Siloam .The man went and washedand saw. Soon the town was

buzzing saying, Why, isnt this man we knew, who sat here and begged?Others said, Its him all right!But others objected, Its not the same man at all. It just looks like him.He said, Its me, the very one.They said, How did your eyes get opened?A man named Jesus made a paste and rubbed it on my eyes and told me, Go to Siloam and wash. I did what he said. When I washed, I saw. So where is he?I dont know.They marched the man to the Pharisees. This day when Jesus made the paste and healed his blindness was the Sabbath. The Pharisees grilled him again on how he had come to see. He said, He put a clay paste on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see.Some of the Pharisees said, Obviously, this man cant be from God. He doesnt keep the Sabbath.Others countered, How can a bad man do miraculous, God-revealing things like this? There was a split in their ranks. They came back at the blind man, Youre the expert. He opened your eyes. What do you say about him?He said, He is a prophet.The Jews didnt believe it, didnt believe the man was blind to begin with. So they called the parents of the man. They asked them, Is this your son, the one you say was born blind? So how is it that he now sees?His parents said, We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind. But we dont know how he came to seehavent a clue about who opened his eyes. Why dont you ask him? Hes a grown man and can speak for himself. The man who received his sight said, I know one thing for sure: I was blind . . . I now see. Then they threw him out in the street. Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and went and found him. He asked him, Do you believe in the Son of Man?The man said, Master, I believe, and worshiped him. Jesus then said, I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, so that those who have never seen will see. (John 9) Music: Our God is Greater by Chris Tomlin Pantomime Scene 8: Mary Anoints Jesus Feet (Mary, Martha, Jesus, and Disciple) Mary is sitting at Jesus feet and Martha is busy at the table setting dishes, preparing a meal, and pouring water in glasses. Jesus is talking with Mary who is eagerly listening to Jesus. Mary takes a bottle of perfume and pours some on Jesus feet. A disciple walks into the room and waves his hand back and forth over his nose at the strong fragrance. Then he picks up the bottle of perfume and looks at the price on the bottle and shakes his head. He points to the cost on the tag that is on the bottle of perfume to Jesus. Jesus smiles at Mary and pats her head. Jesus says, She will be remembered for what she has done for me. The disciple shakes his head and exits. Mary wipes Jesus feet with her head piece. (Freeze in place as Reader reads. Exit as soloist sings) Female Reader: Six days before Passover, Jesus entered Bethany where Lazarus, so recently raised from the dead, was living. Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home. Martha served. Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with them. Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house. Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said, Why werent this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces. He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them. Jesus said, Let her alone. Shes anticipating and honoring the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you. You dont always have me.Word got out among the Jews that he was back in town. The people came to take a look, not only at Jesus but also at

Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead. So the high priests plotted to kill Lazarus because so many of the Jews were going over and believing in Jesus on account of him. (John 12:1-11) Solo: Broken and Spilled Out by Steve Green Pantomime Scene 9: The Last Supper (All 12 disciples arrive and take a seat at a long table covered with a white tablecloth. Jesus will enter and sit in the middle of the group. He will pick up the bread and break it and give half to one side and the other half to the other side to distribute. Jesus will say, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Each disciple will take off a piece and pass to the next disciple. Jesus will take a goblet and say This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Each disciple will dip bread in goblet and eat with the exception of Judas. Following this Jesus will take the cup back. Judas will get up carrying a large money bag and will dip in the cup at the same time as Jesus. Jesus will say, Whatever you do, do quickly. Then Judas will exit. (Disciples and Jesus will freeze in place as Reader Narrates) Male Reader: When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God. After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him! (Luke 22 NIV). And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, What you do, do quickly. But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, Buy those things we need for the feast, or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night. (John 13). After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, Lord, are You washing my feet?Jesus answered and said to him, What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.Peter said to Him, You shall never wash my feet!Jesus answered him, If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head! Jesus said to him, He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you. For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, You are not all clean. So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one anothers feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (John 13 NKJV)

Music: Song on the topic of communion, or serving others. Pantomime Scene 10: Jesus in the Garden Praying & His Betrayal Jesus walks in the garden (Provide trees around the area) with some disciples. The disciples sit down as Jesus leaves to pray. Jesus kneels to pray and soon the disciples fall asleep lying down. Jesus goes to them, Could you not keep watch with me for one hour? The disciples sit up rubbing their eyes. Jesus leaves again and kneels to pray. Soon the disciples fall asleep again and lying down. Jesus gets up again and goes to the disciples. He says, Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The disciples get up rubbing their eyes. Jesus leaves again and kneels to pray. The disciples fall asleep lying down once again. Jesus prays My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done. He returns to the disciples who are still asleep and says, The hour has come. At the time, Judas will enter along with a couple soldiers. Judas will come up to Jesus and kiss him. The guards will take Jesus arms and pull him along. The disciples run off. Judas runs off another direction. (All exit) Female Reader: Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, Sit here while I go over there and pray. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour? he asked Peter. 1 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. He went away a second time and prayed, My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer! While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: The one I kiss is the man; arrest him. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, Greetings, Rabbi! and kissed him. Jesus replied, Do what you came for, friend. Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Put your sword back in its place, Jesus said to him, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. (Matthew 26) Music: Love Was Born at Christmas

Scene 11: Jesus on the cross. If you do not have the necessary props for this you can place an empty cross on stage and place a white piece of material on the cross. You can even place a tomb nearby if you have one. Male Reader or Pastor: This is why Jesus came at Christmas. To bring you and I the joy of knowing our sins forgiven, and a promise of a home in heaven for eternity with Him one day. Yes, He was arrested and tried and found guilty by the crowd, but we know the truth. Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest handed him over to Pilate the governor who put the responsibility of what to do with Jesus in the hands of the people. What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah? Pilate asked. They all answered, Crucify him!Why? What crime has he committed? asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, Crucify him! Then the soldiers took Jesus and stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. Hail, king of the Jews! they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. This was the plan of God in sending him to this earth to die on a cross, buried in a cold grave, and rise from the dead after three days. This is the true story as recorded by his disciples who were there to see firsthand the story as we know today. He is our coming King and will one day return. Christmas can be a joyful experience for you this year, if you know the joy of his salvation. Let us rejoice in Him. Congregation & Cast: Joy to the World (Cast will return to stage for the final song) Rev. Jeanne McIntosh 2012. Used the Message, NKJV, and NIV for Scripture references.