The Christmas Story Begin pageant with two bell ringers who proceed to the back of the Church

and walk up the side aisles and down the back stairs. Scene I: The Annunciation (Mary is sitting on a chair at bottom of steps sewing on a piece of cloth. Gabriel is on the pulpit. Voice of God comes from behind scenery with yellow light.) Narrator: Voice of God: The Angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city called Nazareth in the region of Galilee. Gabriel, you must go to the young woman called Mary and tell her that she will marry a man named Joseph. Tell her she will have a baby, a son she will call Jesus.

(Gabriel walks to the front of the organ across from Mary. Light shines on Mary and Gabriel.) Gabriel: Mary: Gabriel: Do not be afraid, Mary. God has chosen you to be the mother of His son. You will call him Jesus. How shall this be since I have no husband? Joseph, the carpenter in Nazareth, has been chosen to take care of you and your son, who will be called the Son of God.

(Gabriel goes to the side of the church near the altar and sits in the last choir pew until Scene 4.) Mary: Song: I am the Lords servant and I will do whatever he says. I will share this good news with my cousin Elizabeth and her husband Zacharias. The Angel Gabriel

(Mary stands up and leaves. Elizabeth is seen sitting with a Bible in her hands. Mary walks in and greets Elizabeth while the Narrator reads the following.) Narrator: Then Mary went to a city called Judah, and stayed with her cousin Elizabeth and Zacharias, who would have a son named John. When Mary entered her cousins house, the sound of her voice made the baby in Elizabeths womb leap and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! Mary, please stay with us until Elizabeths baby is born. After John was born, Mary returned to Nazareth and married. Joseph.

Elizabeth: Zacharias: Narrator:

(Mary exits to the side of the church and goes to the back to meet Joseph. Elizabeth returns to the choir pews. Lights come on at back of the church for hymn.) Scene 2: At The Inn Narrator: Mary and Joseph left for Josephs hometown of Bethlehem so that a census could be taken for taxes. The journey was long and tiring for the couple. They fell behind the other travelers.

(Joseph, Mary and Donkey move slowly up the aisle as they travel from one inn to another.) Joseph (to the 1st Innkeeper): 1st Innkeeper: Joseph (to the 2nd Innkeeper): 2nd Innkeeper: We have traveled a long way. My wife is very tired and is going to have a child. Do you have a room for her? We have no rooms left. We are very sorry. My wife and I have traveled a long way and we are very tired. Do you have a place for us to stay? Bethlehem is very crowded and there is no room here. But, there is an empty stable nearby with fresh hay in it. You are welcome to stay there. Please take it Joseph. I am very tired. Mary, this will not do! It is clean shelter Joseph. We will stay the night. Thank you for your kindness. Youre welcome.

Mary: Joseph: Mary: Joseph: 2nd Innkeeper:

(Innkeepers walk out. Lights come on at back of church for hymn.) Song: Silent Night

(Innkeepers go to the choir pews for the remainder of the pageant. Joseph, Mary and Donkey go to the front of the altar to set up for the next scene. Add cows and other animals.) Scene 3: The Stable at Bethlehem (Scene opens with light shining on Joseph and Mary sitting around the crche. Angels should be lined up at the back of the church ready to proceed up to the front during the singing of the next hymn.)

Narrator:

During the night, while Mary and Joseph stayed in the stable, the baby was born. Mary wrapped Him in long pieces of cloth and laid Him in a manger. Can you believe that God has blessed us with His Son and chosen us to be His parents? Now we must thank God for what He has given us.

Mary: Joseph:

(Lights come on at back of church while angels walk up the centre aisle to the front and sing.) Song: O Holy Night

Scene 4: Shepherds in the Field (Light shines on shepherds sitting around a glowing fire tending their flock of stuffed animals in the centre aisle near the Baptismal font. Angel Gabriel enters from side at front of altar and walks slowly to the shepherds while Narrator reads.) Narrator: Gabriel: Head Shepherd: Gabriel: Song: Shepherds are watching their flocks on the hills. Suddenly a great light appears around the shepherds. I am Gabriel bringing all the people joyful news. Christ the Lord has been born in the City of David. How can we find this child? Look to the sky for a great light. Beneath that light you will find the Saviour lying in a manger. The First Nowell

(Lights go down again. Gabriel returns to the front of the church and stands behind the Manger scene.) Narrator: Head Shepherd: Joseph: The shepherds set off at once for the city of David. They followed the brightest star and found Baby Jesus. An angel told us that the Saviour has been born. May we see Him? Please come in.

(Shepherds present lambs and bow to the Child. Lights come up for hymn.) Song: Do You Hear What I Hear?

Scene 5: The Wise Men (The scene opens with King Herod sitting on a chair halfway up the centre aisle. A page stands beside him with a palm leaf.) Narrator: In a land far to the east, wise men have seen the new star in the sky and set out for Jerusalem to talk to King Herod.

(The three kings walk together from the back of the church up to King Herod.) 1st King: Herod: Sire, have you heard about the Child born in Bethlehem who will become King of the Jews? Look for this child in Bethlehem. When you find him, come back and tell me where he is so that I may worship him too.

(While the narrator is speaking the next part, King Herod and his page exit to the front of the church and sit in the choir pew with Gabriel and the others. The three kings return to the back of the church.) Narrator: The wise men set out for Bethlehem as King Herod told them. They are unaware that King Herod plans to kill Jesus so that He will never become King. They follow the star that leads them to the stable where Joseph and Mary are staying with Jesus. We Three Kings

Song:

(The wise men slowly walk up the centre aisle as their verse is sung. They bow to the Baby Jesus and present their gifts to Mary and Joseph.) 1st King Melchior gold 2nd King Gaspar frankincense 3rd King Balthazar myrrh Scene 6: The Finale (Scene opens with everyone in the stable.) Joseph: Mary: Narrator: Thank you all for coming to see our son, Jesus. Thank you also for such beautiful gifts. Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus stay in Bethlehem for a couple of days while enjoying their visitors. Together they worship their Saviour who will be king.

(Lights come on at back of church for hymn.) Song: Joy to the World

(All lights come on for pictures. Father announces pictures to be taken. Children bow. Audience applauds wildly. Children exit down aisle to church hall More songs while children change out of costumes.)